Baklava with walnuts is a classic dessert that originates from the Middle East and Mediterranean regions. This sweet pastry is made by layering thin sheets of phyllo dough with a delicious mixture of chopped walnuts, cinnamon, and sugar. Once baked, the pastry is soaked in a sweet syrup made of honey and lemon juice.
To make this recipe, start by preparing the walnut filling by mixing together chopped walnuts, cinnamon, and sugar. Then, layer sheets of phyllo dough, brushing each layer with melted butter, and adding the walnut filling in between. Once all the layers are assembled, bake the pastry in the oven until golden brown.
Once baked, the Baklava is then soaked in a honey and lemon syrup, which adds a sweet and tangy flavor to the pastry. The result is a sweet and nutty dessert that’s perfect for special occasions or as a treat any day of the week. Serve it with a cup of tea or coffee for a truly satisfying experience.
INGREDIENTS
1/2 pound chopped pecans
1/2 pound chopped walnuts
2-3 tbsp. ground cinnamon
1 pound package of Phyllo dough
1-1/2 cups butter, melted
2-1/2 cups honey
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. grated lemon zest
INSTRUCTIONS
1 ) Mix nuts together in a large bowl and toss with the ground cinnamon. Set aside.
2 ) Butter a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Place 2 sheets of phyllo in the bottom of prepared dish. Brush generously with melted butter.
3 ) Sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons of nut mixture on top. Repeat layers until all the nuts, butter, and phyllo are used.
4 ) End with about 6 layers of phyllo on the top. If you still have some butter left, brush it over the top layer.
5 ) Using a very sharp knife, cut through all layers of the baklava. Cut 3-4 sliced length-wise.
6 ) Then make diagonal cuts to make diamond shapes.
7 ) Bake in a heated 350-degree oven for about 45 minutes, until golden and crisp.
8 ) While baklava is baking, heat honey in a saucepan until close to boiling. Stir in vanilla and lemon zest.
9 ) When baklava is done baking, immediately pour the honey mixture over the top.
10 ) Let cool completely in the pan.
ENJOY !!
