Crunchy Homemade Baklava

Baklava Recipe

Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 50 mins
Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins
Servings: 36
Yield: 36 pastries

Ingredients

• 1 pound chopped nuts
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 (16-ounce) package phyllo dough
• 1 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup water
• ½ cup honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter.
2. Prepare the nut filling:
   In a bowl, combine the chopped nuts and cinnamon.
3. Assemble the baklava:
   • Unroll the phyllo dough and cut the stack in half to fit your baking dish.
   • Keep the sheets covered with a damp cloth to prevent drying.
   • Layer 2 sheets of phyllo in the dish and brush generously with melted butter.
   • Sprinkle 2–3 tablespoons of the nut mixture on top.
   • Repeat this process—layering phyllo, butter, and nuts—until all the ingredients are used, ending with 6 sheets of buttered phyllo on top.
4. Cut the baklava:
   Using a sharp knife, slice the layered pastry into 4 long rows. Then cut diagonally across the rows to create about 36 diamond-shaped pieces. Cut all the way through to the bottom.
5. Bake:
   Place in the preheated oven and bake for about 50 minutes, until the baklava is golden brown and crisp.
6. Make the syrup:
   While the baklava bakes, combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then stir in the honey, vanilla, and lemon zest. Reduce the heat and let simmer for 20 minutes.
7. Finish and cool:
   Remove the baklava from the oven and immediately spoon the hot syrup evenly over the pastry. Allow it to cool completely before serving.

Tip: You can substitute orange zest for lemon zest for a slightly different flavor.