Baklava has been an all-time favorite dessert of mine, and I am so excited to share it with you today!

I love everything about this dessert, from the many layers of the flaky, chewy pastry and sweetness of the honey to the chopped walnuts and butter. Every bite is delectable.

Honestly, what’s not to love about this pastry?

Though this recipe has a bit of a longer prep and cooking time, it is 100% worth it. The best part is beginners and advanced cooks alike can master homemade baklava.

A little background on this dessert before we fully dive in: it originated from Turkey but was made very popular by the Greeks around the same time frame. Baklava was made with unlevelled flatbread, a variety of chopped nuts, and honey.

In the present day, many different Meditteranean countries have adopted this recipe and made it their own.

This can easily become a family favorite that you can pass down through generations and alter to suit you and your tastebuds. Though this dish may be overwhelming and confusing on your first go, with only eight steps, you’ll be a pro in no time.

How to Make Homemade Baklava

Preparation time: 35 minutes

Cook time: 45 minutes

Servings: 12 people

Ingredients

• 2 cups crushed walnuts
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 package (450 g) filo pastry sheets
• 1 cup of melted butter
• 1 cup of water
• 1 cup of sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup of honey

Preparation & Cooking

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350° F.

Step 2

Butter the bottom and edges of a (9 x 13 in) rectangular baking dish.

Step 3

Mix the crushed walnuts with the cinnamon in a small bowl, then set aside.

Step 4

Unroll the filo sheets. Keep them stacked and cut them in half to fit the size of the dish. Cover the filo sheets with a damp cloth to prevent them from drying out during assembly.

Honey is seriously yummy. Check out: How to Make Sweet Honey, Brie, & Basil Appetizers

Step 5

Place two filo sheets in the bottom of the dish; brush with melted butter. Repeat this until you have 8 overlapping sheets.

Step 6

Sprinkle 2-3 tbsp of the walnut/cinnamon mixture on top.

Continue with this process, laying down two filo sheets, brushing with butter, and adding your walnuts and cinnamon. The last layer should have between 6 and 8 sheets.

Step 7

Using a sharp knife, cut into square shapes, making sure to cut all the way to the bottom of the dish. Bake for 45 minutes until the baklava is golden and crispy.

Step 8

Now it’s time to prepare the sauce while the baklava is cooking.

Heat the water and sugar until boiling and until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add honey and vanilla. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, then remove from heat and let cool.

Remove the baklava from the oven and immediately pour the sauce over it. Let cool, and then serve.

A Sweet Treat Perfect for the Holiday Season

My recipe can easily be altered, so feel free to experiment!

The instructions and directions are simplified as much as possible without skipping important details. So have fun with this dessert. Try switching up the nuts with pistachios or peanuts, or even both. This is truly a perfect treat for family and friends this holiday season.

Looking for more desserts? Try out: Black Forest Cake Parfaits