Indulge in crispy, syrup-soaked baklava—layers of buttery phyllo pastry stuffed with spiced walnuts, baked to golden perfection, and drenched in aromatic honey syrup. A showstopping Middle Eastern dessert that’s surprisingly easy to make!
Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 3 cups walnuts, finely chopped
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
For the Phyllo Layers:
- 1 package (16 oz) phyllo dough, thawed
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Syrup:
- 1 cup honey
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 strip orange peel (optional)
Instructions
1️⃣ Prep Filling:
- Mix walnuts, sugar, cinnamon, and cloves.
2️⃣ Layer Phyllo:
- Brush a 9×13″ pan with butter. Layer 8 phyllo sheets, buttering each.
- Spread ⅓ walnut mix. Repeat layers twice, ending with 8 buttered phyllo sheets.
3️⃣ Cut & Bake:
- Score into diamonds before baking at 350°F (175°C) for 45-50 mins until golden.
4️⃣ Make Syrup:
- Simmer syrup ingredients for 10 mins. Discard cinnamon/orange peel.
5️⃣ Soak & Serve:
- Pour hot syrup over hot baklava. Cool completely (4+ hours).
