Baklava

Baklava is a traditional Middle Eastern dessert made with layers of phyllo dough, nuts, and honey syrup. Here’s a recipe for baklava with walnuts:

Ingredients:

• 1 package of phyllo dough
• 2 cups of finely chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup of sugar
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground cloves
• 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup of honey
• 1/2 cup of water
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped walnuts, sugar, cinnamon, and cloves.
3. Brush a 9×13 inch baking dish with melted butter.
4. Unwrap the phyllo dough and place it on a flat surface. Cover it with a damp towel to prevent it from drying out.
5. Take one sheet of phyllo dough and brush it with melted butter. Repeat this step with five more sheets of phyllo dough.
6. Spread a layer of the walnut mixture on top of the phyllo dough.
7. Take another sheet of phyllo dough and brush it with melted butter. Repeat this step with five more sheets of phyllo dough.
8. Add another layer of the walnut mixture on top of the phyllo dough.
9. Repeat steps 5-8 until all the phyllo dough and walnut mixture has been used, making sure to brush each layer of phyllo dough with melted butter.
10. Cut the baklava into diamond or square shapes using a sharp knife.
11. Bake the baklava in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown.
12. While the baklava is baking, make the honey syrup. In a small saucepan, combine the honey, water, and lemon juice. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 5-10 minutes.
13. When the baklava is done baking, remove it from the oven and pour the honey syrup over the top.

Let the baklava cool to room temperature before serving. Enjoy!