Sweet Turkish Baklava with Pistachios and Orange Blossom Syrup

Name: Sweet Turkish Baklava with Pistachios and Orange Blossom Syrup
Prep time: 3 h
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h
Yield: 20 pieces
Cuisine: Dessert
Ingredients: 1 package phyllo dough (16 oz); 2 cups pistachios; 1 cup unsalted butter; 1/2 cup sugar; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1 cup sugar; 1/2 cup water; 1/4 cup honey; 1 tbsp lemon juice; 1 tbsp orange blossom water

A classic Middle Eastern dessert with a floral twist

Sweet layers of flaky phyllo dough, crunchy pistachios, and a fragrant orange blossom syrup make this baklava a delightful treat.

3 h 30 min
20 pieces
Intermediate

Ingredients

For the Baklava

1 package phyllo dough (16 oz)

thawed

2 cups pistachios

finely chopped

1 cup unsalted butter

melted

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp ground cinnamon

For the Orange Blossom Syrup

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup honey

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 tbsp orange blossom water

Preparation

Preparing the Syrup

Combine ingredients

In a saucepan, combine sugar, water, honey, and lemon juice.

Simmer

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

Finish syrup

Remove from heat and stir in orange blossom water. Cool completely.

Assembling the Baklava

Preheat and prepare pan

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.

Ensure your phyllo dough is fully thawed and at room temperature before starting to prevent tears.

Layer phyllo sheets

Layer 10 sheets of phyllo dough in the pan, brushing each sheet with melted butter.

Cover unused phyllo with a damp cloth to prevent drying out.

Add nut mixture

Mix pistachios, sugar, and cinnamon. Sprinkle 1/3 of the mixture over phyllo.

Cooking Process

Layer baklava

Continue layering phyllo, butter, and nut mixture, finishing with 10 layers of phyllo.

Cut into shapes

Slice into diamond shapes.

Bake

Bake in the preheated oven for about 50 minutes, or until golden brown.

Plating & Serving