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Family Secret Baklava Recipe with Honey-Soaked Phyllo and Nut Filling Recipe

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4.1 from 5 reviews

This family-secret baklava recipe features layers of crisp phyllo pastry soaked in a fragrant honey syrup and filled with a spiced nut mixture of pistachios, walnuts, and hazelnuts. Perfectly balanced with cinnamon, cloves, and a touch of citrus, this traditional Middle Eastern dessert is best made ahead as the flavors meld beautifully over time.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 24 pieces

Ingredients

For the Baklava and Nut Filling

  • 6 oz shelled pistachios, coarsely chopped
  • 6 oz walnuts, coarsely chopped
  • 6 oz hazelnuts, coarsely chopped
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 to 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • Large pinch of ground cloves
  • 16-oz package phyllo dough, thawed
  • 1 1/2 to 2 sticks unsalted butter (up to 16 tbsp), melted

For the Honey Syrup

  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 cup cold water
  • 1 cup honey
  • 1 tbsp orange extract (optional)
  • 5 whole cloves
  • 1 lemon, juice of

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get it ready for baking the baklava.
  2. Make the Honey Syrup: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar and water. Stir occasionally until the sugar dissolves. Add honey, optional orange extract, and whole cloves. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 25 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool to lukewarm. Stir in lemon juice and discard the cloves.
  3. Prepare the Nut Mixture: In a food processor, pulse the pistachios, walnuts, and hazelnuts a few times until coarsely chopped. Transfer to a bowl, add sugar, cinnamon, and ground cloves, and mix well to combine the flavors evenly.
  4. Handle the Phyllo Dough: Unroll the thawed phyllo dough and place the sheets between two kitchen towels to prevent them from drying out and breaking while assembling.
  5. Assemble the Baklava – Bottom Layers: Butter a 9”x13” baking pan thoroughly. Lay one sheet of phyllo (folded in half to fit if needed) into the pan and brush generously with melted butter. Repeat for about one-third of the phyllo sheets, buttering each layer.
  6. Add Nut Filling – First Half: Evenly spread half of the nut mixture over the last phyllo layer you just buttered.
  7. Assemble the Middle Layers: Continue layering phyllo sheets one at a time, brushing with butter, using about another third of the sheets.
  8. Add Nut Filling – Second Half: Spread the remaining half of the nut mixture evenly over the last layer of phyllo.
  9. Assemble the Top Layers: Finish layering with the remaining phyllo sheets, brushing each with melted butter, including the very top sheet.
  10. Cut the Baklava: Using a sharp knife, cut the baklava into 24 diamond-shaped pieces (can cut up to 36 smaller pieces if desired) before baking.
  11. Bake: Place the pan on the middle oven rack and bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Check halfway through baking to prevent over-browning.
  12. Add Syrup: Immediately after removing the baklava from the oven, pour the cooled honey syrup evenly over the hot baklava to soak the layers thoroughly.
  13. Cool and Serve: Let the baklava cool completely for a few hours or at least 1 hour before serving. Optionally garnish with chopped pistachios for added texture and presentation.

Notes

  • Phyllo dough is delicate—keep it covered with towels while working to avoid drying out and cracking.
  • Butter each phyllo layer generously to ensure crispness and golden color.
  • You can adjust the cinnamon amount based on your preference for spiciness.
  • Making baklava a day ahead enhances the flavor as the syrup fully soaks in.
  • Use a sharp knife to cut through all layers cleanly before baking to prevent cracking.
  • Oven temperatures vary; check baklava often during the last 10 minutes to avoid burning.
  • The orange extract is optional but adds a lovely citrus aroma that complements the nuts and honey.
  • Author: Daisy
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Middle Eastern
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Find it online: https://dishiary.com/family-secret-baklava-recipe-with-honey-soaked-phyllo-and-nut-filling-recipe/