Turkish Baklava: Sweet and Nutty Layers

 

Turkish Baklava: Sweet and Nutty Layers

Ingredients:

• 1 package (16 ounces) phyllo dough, thawed
• 2 cups mixed nuts (e.g., walnuts, pistachios, almonds), finely chopped
• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, combine the finely chopped nuts and ground cinnamon.
3. Place one sheet of phyllo dough in a greased baking dish and brush it with melted butter. Repeat this process, layering and buttering each sheet, until you have about 8 layers.
4. Sprinkle a generous amount of the nut mixture over the phyllo layers.
5. Continue layering phyllo sheets and butter, then add more nuts. Repeat until all the nuts are used.
6. Finish with a final layer of phyllo sheets, using the remaining melted butter.
7. Using a sharp knife, cut the baklava into diamond or square shapes.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for about 45-50 minutes, or until the baklava is golden brown.
9. While the baklava bakes, prepare the syrup. In a saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, water, honey, and vanilla extract. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes.
10. Once the baklava is done baking, immediately pour the hot syrup over it, ensuring it covers all the pieces.
11. Allow the baklava to cool completely before serving.