Baklava is a layered pastry dessert. Prepared with filo pastry sheets, it is filled with chopped nuts, and then sweetened with honey or syrup. In ancient times, Baklava was one of the most famous sweet pastries in the Ottoman Empire. Nowadays, this dessert holds a significant place in the many countries in Europe, Asia and Africa. Beyond its delicious layers, Baklava intertwines with various cultures.
As a common dessert for different cultures, it is no surprise that November 17th, celebrated as National Baklava Day, has become the perfect occasion to enjoy this treat. It is a moment to appreciate the cultural significance and flavours that Baklava brings to the table.
Tasty Baklava Recipes to Try at Home
Fistikli Baklava
Ingredients
For Syrup: 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar, 2 cups water, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice.
For Baklava: 255 grams clarified butter (melted), 450 grams filo (thawed), 450 grams unsalted pistachios (shelled and finely chopped) plus more for topping.
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Instructions
First, prepare the syrup by boiling sugar and water, simmering for 15-20 minutes until slightly thickened. Add lemon juice, simmer for an extra 1-2 minutes, then cool to room temperature.
For the Baklava, preheat the oven to 350˚F and brush a 9×13 inch baking dish with melted butter. Layer filo sheets, brushing each with butter, to form a bottom layer of 8-10 sheets. Spread half of the finely chopped pistachios over the filo.
Repeat for a second layer. Finish with a top layer, brushing with butter. Bake for 35-45 minutes until golden. Cover immediately with cooled syrup, let cool, and absorb before serving. Top with additional chopped pistachios if desired. You can store it airtight at room temperature for up to 4 days.
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Kuru Baklava
Ingredients
1 glass flour, ¼ glass water, 2 eggs, ⅕ tablespoon salt, 1 teaspoon olive oil, 1⅓ glasses starch, 1 glass melted margarine, 1½ glasses ground walnuts, 2 glasses granulated sugar, 2 glasses water, and 2 teaspoons lemon juice.
Instructions
First, prepare the dough as per the baklava recipe. Layer the dough pieces on a wooden board and cut them to fit the baking tray. Lightly grease the tray and lay one layer of dough, drizzling evenly with ½ tablespoon melted margarine.
Use only half of the dough to form a single layer, adding margarine on top. After half the dough, sprinkle ground walnuts, then layer more dough, and margarine, and repeat until all pieces are used.
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Afterwards, cut into baklava shapes, and bake in a preheated oven for an hour until golden. In a pan, heat granulated sugar, water, and lemon juice into syrup, cool for 10 minutes, then brush with butter.
Cevizli Baklava
Ingredients
2 cups walnut meat (crushed), 1 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon water, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 ½ cup butter (melted), 450 grams filo dough, 1 ½ cup water for syrup, 1 ¼ cup sugar for syrup, 2 teaspoon lemon juice for syrup, and 2 teaspoon honey for syrup.
Instructions
First, combine walnuts, sugar, and cinnamon, then add water and vanilla. Set aside. Then cut filo sheets to fit a 9 by 13-inch pan, covering them with a towel to prevent drying. Butter the pan's bottom.
Next, layer half of the filo sheets, brushing each with butter. Spread the nut mixture evenly. Add the remaining sheets, brushing with butter. Cut the baklava into 5 strips lengthwise, then diagonally for diamond-shaped pieces. Drizzle any leftover butter on top.
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Now, bake at 325˚F for 1 hour or until golden. Boil water and sugar, and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in lemon juice and honey, cool slightly. Then pour syrup over the baked baklava. Allow complete cooling before re-cutting and serving.
Fistik Sarma
Ingredients
300g ground pistachio, 500g crushed pistachio, 9 sheets filo pastry, 100g butter, 1 lemon, 300g caster sugar, and 200g water.
Instructions
First, preheat the oven to 180°C. Use a 21x30cm baking dish. Cover filo sheets with a damp kitchen towel to prevent drying. Melt butter and lay filo on a clear surface with pistachio mixtures nearby. Brush one side with melted butter.
Add ground pistachios to the top half, avoiding large pieces. Spread crushed pistachios from the centre, leaving 5cm clear at the end. Roll using a thin stick, then cut edges to fit the dish. Then butter the dish, place the roll, and butter to prevent drying. Repeat for 9 layers or as per the dish size. Next, cut into tube shapes, and bake for 15 minutes until golden.
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Finally, make syrup, boil water and sugar, simmer, and add lemon juice. Pour cooled syrup over baked rolls. Let them cool, absorbing the syrup. Run a knife along the lines before removing it from the dish. Your pistachio roll is ready, perfect with tea or Turkish coffee. Store in the fridge for enhanced flavour.
