How to make it
8 steps. Take it one step at a time.
Preheat your oven
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.
Combine the chopped walnuts
In a medium bowl, combine the chopped walnuts (or pistachios) with the ground cinnamon. Toss well to distribute the spice evenly.
Unroll the phyllo dough and trim it
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.
Sprinkle about 3 tablespoons of the nut mixture
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.
Layer the remaining sheets
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.
Bake in the preheated oven
Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and crisp.
50 minWhile the baklava is baking, make the syrup
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.
10 minImmediately after removing the baklava from the oven
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.
4 hr
A little kitchen wisdom
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.
