Turkish baklava recipe is one of the most searched terms throughout the internet for its incredible taste. It is a sweet and rich Turkish dessert that has gained international recognition. It consists of layers of thin phyllo pastry filled with chopped nuts, such as pistachios or walnuts, and sweetened with a syrup made from sugar, water, and lemon juice. The layers are brushed with butter before baking, resulting in a crispy and flaky texture. Baklava is a symbol of Turkish hospitality and is often enjoyed on special occasions.
Turkish Baklava Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 package (16 oz) phyllo pastry sheets
- 2 cups chopped nuts (pistachios, walnuts, or a combination)
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon rosewater (optional)
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking dish.
- In a bowl, combine the chopped nuts and ground cinnamon. Set aside. (You may omit cinnamon)
- Place a sheet of phyllo pastry in the baking dish and brush it with melted butter. Repeat, layering sheets and brushing with butter, until you have about 8 layers.
- Sprinkle a generous amount of the nut mixture evenly over the phyllo layers.
- Continue layering phyllo sheets and nuts until all the nuts are used, finishing with a top layer of phyllo sheets. Remember to brush each layer with melted butter.
- Using a sharp knife, cut the baklava into diamond or square shapes.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 40-50 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp.
- While the baklava is baking, prepare the sugar syrup. In a saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and add rosewater if using.
- Once the baklava is out of the oven, immediately pour the cooled syrup over the hot baklava, ensuring it covers all the pieces.
- Allow the baklava to cool and absorb the syrup before serving.
You can serve Turkish baklava either with cold or hot drinks but our favourite is definitely traditional Turkish coffee.
Buon appetit / Afiyet olsun!
