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Easy Baklava

Easy Baklava

Easy Baklava is delicious and simple to make. Phyllo dough gets layered with nuts, cinnamon and honey to make this crunchy Greek dessert.
Servings: 24 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces phyllo dough, 13x9 inch sheets
  • 1 cup chopped nuts, walnuts or pecans
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup honey

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Chop the nuts finely and place them in a bowl. Add the cinnamon, stir and set aside.
  • Butter the bottom and sides of a 13x9 baking pan.
  • Open the phyllo dough and unroll it. Keep the dough moist while making your baklava by placing a slightly damp paper towel over the dough. Do not make the paper towel too wet or the dough will stick to it. Depending on the brand of dough, you may need to cut the sheets in half. Each sheet should fit perfectly in a 13x9 pan. Place two sheets of dough in the bottom of the baking pan and butter it thoroughly.
  • Continue layering sheets of dough, two at a time, and buttering each layer until you have 8 sheets done. Then, add 3 or 4 tablespoons of chopped nuts evenly over the dough.
  • Continue layering two sheets of dough, butter, and nuts, until there are 4 sheets of dough remaining.  Put the last four sheets on top, layering two sheets at a time with butter on each layer.
  • Using a sharp, wet knife, cut the baklava diagonally into a diamond pattern, making sure to carefully cut all the way to the bottom. This is done before baking. Otherwise, the phyllo dough would crumble if cut after baking.
  • I like to add a few more chopped nuts to the top before baking. I think it looks pretty and it actually helps to hold the top layers of dough in place. Bake the baklava in a 350 degree oven for about 35-40 minutes. 
  • While the baklava is baking, add the water and sugar to a medium saucepan and cook over medium heat until dissolved. Add the vanilla and the honey and allow the mixture to simmer for 20 minutes.The sugar mixture will reduce and become slightly thicker. Remove it from the heat.
  • Remove the baklava from the oven when golden brown and spoon the warm sugar mixture over the top. Allow the baklava to cool completely. This recipe makes 24 servings.
    Easy Baklava

Equipment

  • 1 13x9-inch baking pan
  • 1 pastry brush

Notes

Tips for making Easy Baklava:
  • The key to making this Greek dessert is actually the butter. Getting the butter spread evenly over each layer of phyllo dough is key to making this delicious dessert the best it can be. Take your time with this step of the process. It is important.
  • When working with phyllo dough, be sure to keep it moist by placing a slightly damp paper towel over it. This keeps it pliable and makes it easier to work with. Do not make the paper towel too wet or the sheets of phyllo dough will stick to it.
  • You'll need to cut the baklava in a diamond pattern before baking. To make this easier, use a sharp, wet knife. And wipe is with a wet cloth in between cuts. This allows you to cut the baklava without tearing the phyllo dough.

Nutrition

Calories: 182kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 2gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 48mgPotassium: 36mgFiber: 1gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 238IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 11mgIron: 0.5mg