{"id":"baklava_cd6929b9e5","slug":"classic-baklava","title":"Classic Baklava","description":"A rich, sweet dessert pastry made of layers of flaky phyllo dough filled with spiced chopped nuts and soaked in a fragrant honey syrup.","serves":24,"time":{"prepMinutes":30,"cookMinutes":50,"totalMinutes":80,"activeMinutes":45},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"1 package (16 oz) phyllo dough","name":"Phyllo Dough","quantity":454,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"lb","form":"sheets","notes":"thawed","group":"Pastry","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"1 cup unsalted butter, melted","name":"Butter","quantity":227,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"cup","form":"melted","notes":"unsalted","group":"Pastry","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"3 cups chopped walnuts or pistachios","name":"Walnuts","quantity":360,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"3","usUnit":"cup","form":"chopped","notes":"can use a mix of walnuts and pistachios","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 teaspoon ground cinnamon","name":"Cinnamon","quantity":2.6,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"ground","notes":"","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1 cup granulated sugar","name":"Granulated Sugar","quantity":200,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"cup","form":"granulated","notes":"","group":"Syrup","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 cup water","name":"Water","quantity":240,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"Syrup","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1/2 cup honey","name":"Honey","quantity":170,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"Syrup","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1 tablespoon lemon juice","name":"Lemon Juice","quantity":15,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"fresh","notes":"","group":"Syrup","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"1 teaspoon vanilla extract","name":"Vanilla Extract","quantity":5,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"extract","notes":"","group":"Syrup","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease the bottom and sides of a 9x13 inch baking pan with a little of the melted butter.","group":"Preparation","title":"Preheat your oven","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"In a medium bowl, combine the chopped walnuts (or pistachios) with the ground cinnamon. Toss well to distribute the spice evenly.","group":"Filling","title":"Combine the chopped walnuts","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Filling"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Unroll the phyllo dough and trim it to fit the baking pan if necessary. Lay two sheets of phyllo into the pan and brush the top sheet thoroughly with melted butter. Repeat this until you have about 8-10 sheets layered at the bottom, brushing every second sheet.","group":"Layering","title":"Unroll the phyllo dough and trim it","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Layering"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Sprinkle about 3 tablespoons of the nut mixture over the buttered phyllo. Add two more sheets of dough, brush with butter, and repeat with another layer of nuts. Continue this pattern until only about 6-8 sheets of phyllo remain.","group":"Layering","title":"Sprinkle about 3 tablespoons of the nut mixture","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Layering"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Layer the remaining sheets on top, brushing each one with butter. Using a sharp knife, cut the baklava into diamond or square shapes, making sure to cut all the way through to the bottom of the pan.","group":"Layering","title":"Layer the remaining sheets","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Layering"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and crisp.","group":"Baking","title":"Bake in the preheated oven","timerMinutes":50,"sourceTitle":"Baking"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"While the baklava is baking, make the syrup. Combine sugar, water, honey, and lemon juice in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Let the syrup cool completely.","group":"Syrup","title":"While the baklava is baking, make the syrup","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Syrup"},{"id":"instruction-8","text":"Immediately after removing the baklava from the oven, pour the cooled syrup evenly over the hot pastry. You should hear it sizzle. Allow the baklava to sit for at least 4 hours (or overnight) at room temperature to absorb the syrup and set before serving.","group":"Finishing","title":"Immediately after removing the baklava from the oven","timerMinutes":240,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"}],"notes":"Ensure the phyllo dough is completely thawed at room temperature before using. Keep the dough covered with a damp towel while working to prevent it from drying out and becoming brittle.","cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Greek","Turkish"]},"course":["dessert"],"cookingMethod":["bake"],"equipment":["9x13 inch baking pan","pastry brush","small saucepan","sharp knife","mixing bowl"],"diet":["vegetarian"],"allergens":["wheat","milk","tree_nuts"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":24,"unit":"piece","note":"one 9x13 inch pan"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Baklava is actually better when made a day in advance as it allows the syrup to fully saturate the layers."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store at room temperature covered with a clean tea towel for up to 5 days to keep it crisp. For longer storage, refrigerate in an airtight container.","reheatingNotes":"Serve at room temperature; do not microwave as it will make the pastry soggy."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fbaklava_cd6929b9e5%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=2691ad31-0650-427b-84dc-646581067a41","imageAlt":"Classic Baklava — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["sweet","pastry","honey","nuts","middle eastern","mediterranean","flaky"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Classic Baklava","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T02:00:21.098Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T02:00:21.098Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_7118ab4802","slug":"lemon-mint-juice-limonana","title":"Lemon Mint Juice (Limonana)","description":"A quintessential Mediterranean and Middle Eastern refresher, this vibrant drink perfectly balances tart lemons, cooling fresh mint, and a touch of sweetness.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Middle Eastern","Levantine"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_7118ab4802%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=abf73a52-7932-4dea-82b6-3486a9e6b6ea","imageAlt":"Lemon Mint Juice (Limonana) — recipe cover","tags":["refreshing","mint","lemonade","cold-drink","summer","citrus"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_05b3803820","slug":"yogurt-with-honey","title":"Yogurt with Honey","description":"A creamy and nutritious Mediterranean staple featuring thick Greek yogurt drizzled with golden honey and topped with crunchy walnuts.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":5,"activeMinutes":5},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Greek"]},"course":["main","dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","high_protein","mediterranean"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_05b3803820%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=d3ada203-2be2-41f4-b9ee-23856051fabb","imageAlt":"Yogurt with Honey — recipe cover","tags":["healthy","high protein","quick","mediterranean diet","vegetarian"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":3},{"id":"recipe_df33fac33f","slug":"basbousa","title":"Basbousa with Orange Blossom Syrup","description":"A traditional Mediterranean semolina cake soaked in aromatic syrup, known for its moist, grainy texture and sweet floral notes.","serves":12,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":40,"totalMinutes":105,"activeMinutes":45},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Egyptian","Levantine"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_df33fac33f%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=4671c365-003f-4487-8802-e08193fc80e9","imageAlt":"Basbousa with Orange Blossom Syrup — recipe cover","tags":["semolina","cake","syrup","middle eastern","sweet","floral"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":11,"stepCount":7}]}