🥮 Baklava – Golden, Buttery, and Dripping with Sweet Perfection

This Baklava is the ultimate celebration of texture and flavor—crispy layers of phyllo dough, a spiced nut filling, and a sticky-sweet honey syrup poured over the top. It’s a Middle Eastern and Mediterranean classic that looks fancy but is surprisingly easy to make. One bite and you’ll be hooked on that flaky crunch and syrupy melt-in-your-mouth finish. 💛

📝 Ingredients

For the Baklava:

1 package (16 oz) phyllo dough, thawed
2 cups walnuts, finely chopped
1 cup pistachios or pecans, finely chopped
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup unsalted butter, melted

For the Syrup:

1 cup sugar
1 cup water
½ cup honey
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp vanilla extract
Optional: 1 cinnamon stick or a strip of lemon zest for extra depth

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

2️⃣ Make the nut filling: In a bowl, mix walnuts, pistachios, and cinnamon.

3️⃣ Layer the phyllo: Place 8 sheets of phyllo dough in the dish, brushing each with melted butter as you go. Spread ½ of the nut mixture evenly on top.

4️⃣ Add 6 more phyllo sheets (buttered one by one), then the rest of the nuts. Finish with another 8–10 buttered sheets of phyllo on top.

5️⃣ Cut into diamonds or squares using a sharp knife before baking.

6️⃣ Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp.

7️⃣ Make the syrup: While baking, combine sugar, water, honey, lemon juice, and vanilla in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and cool slightly.

8️⃣ Pour the syrup over the hot baklava right out of the oven. Let it soak for at least 4 hours or overnight for best flavor and texture.

💡 Tips for Golden, Crispy Baklava

Keep phyllo covered with a damp cloth while working so it doesn’t dry out.
Want it extra nutty? Add a pinch of clove or nutmeg to the filling.
Let it cool completely before serving—this helps the syrup soak in perfectly!

🍯 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔️ Crispy, buttery layers of perfection
✔️ Sweet, sticky honey syrup soaks in every bite
✔️ Keeps for days and gets better over time
✔️ A showstopper dessert with old-world charm

Let me know if you’d like a chocolate version, a mini roll style, or a pistachio-only twist! 💚🥮