Baklava is a traditional dessert of the Middle East and Mediterranean that is made of layers of phyllo dough filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey. While it may seem intimidating to make, with a few simple tips and tricks, homemade baklava can be easy to prepare. This recipe focuses on streamlining the process while still maintaining the classic flavor and texture of the dish. With a delicious blend of crunchy phyllo, nutty filling, and sweet syrup, this "Homemade Baklava Made Easy" is sure to become a favorite treat in your dessert repertoire.
INGREDIENTS
Serves 6- 8
350g/120z/33/4cups ground pistachio nuts
150g/5oz/11/4 cups icing sugar
15ml/1 tbsp ground cardamom
150g/5oz/2/3cup unsalted butter, melted
450g/ 1lb filo pastry
baklava easy recipe
For the syrup
450g/1lb/2cups granulated sugar
300ml/ 1/2 pint/11/4cups water
30ml/2 tbsp rose-water
1. First make the syrup: place the sugar and water in a saucepan, bring to a boil and then simmer for 10 minutes until syrupy. Stir in the
rose water and leave to cool.
2. Mix together the nuts, icing sugar, and cardamom. Preheat the oven to 160°C/325°F/Gas 3 and brush a large rectangular baking tin with a little melted butter.
3. Take one sheet of filo pastry at a time, and keep the remainder covered with a damp cloth, brush with melted butter, and lay on the bottom of the tin. Continue until you have six buttered layers in the tin. Spread half of the nut mixture over, pressing down with a spoon.
4. Take another six sheets of filo pastry, brush with butter, and lay over the nut mixture. Sprinkle over the remaining nuts and top with a final layer of six filo sheets brushed again with butter. Cut the pastry diagonally into small lozenge shapes using a sharp knife. Pour the remaining n butter over the top.
5. Bake for 20 minutes then increase the heat to 200°C/400°F/Gas 6 and bake for 15 minutes until light golden in color and puffed.
6. Remove from the oven and drizzle about three-quarters of the syrup over the pastry, reserving the remainder for serving. Arrange the baklava lozenges on a large glass dish and serve with extra syrup.
