Baglava
Baklava with almond and pistachio filling layered with flaky pastry, soaked in rose-flavored syrup, offering sweet, nutty, and aromatic flavors perfect for special occasions.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Thoroughly mix together almond powder, cardamom, and powdered sugar. Set aside.
- In a flat baking pan, combine egg yolks, milk, and melted butter.
- Add flour gradually until a dough forms.
- Ensure the dough does not stick to your hands.
- Divide the dough into 5 equal portions and place each into a plastic bag.
- Remove one piece at a time and roll out into a sheet to fit the pan.
- Cover the bottom of a well-greased pan with 2 pastry sheets, brushing each sheet with melted butter before adding the next.
- Add 2 more sheets on top, greasing each sheet.
- Cut the pastry into 1 x 1-inch squares.
- Pour 3 to 4 tablespoons of melted butter over the cut pastry.
- Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes or until golden brown.
- Immediately drizzle the prepared syrup over the hot pastry.
- Cover the pan with aluminum foil and let it cool.
- Sprinkle chopped pistachios on top just before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a splash of rose or orange blossom water to the syrup. If you're short on almond powder, you can substitute half with finely ground walnuts or hazelnuts. Make sure to roll the dough thinly for crispier layers. Using a pizza cutter can help achieve neat, uniform squares when cutting the pastry.
Serving Suggestions
Baklava is best served at room temperature and pairs beautifully with a cup of strong Turkish coffee or tea. For a delightful contrast, serve alongside a refreshing Easy Greek Salad or Poached Eggs In Sauce. Garnish with extra chopped pistachios for a touch of elegance, and consider adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover baklava in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Refrigeration can make the pastry lose its crispness, but if you prefer, you can refrigerate it for longer storage. To reheat, place in a warm oven for a few minutes to regain some crispness before serving.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Baglava contains roughly 458 calories, with 9g protein, 59g carbohydrates, and 20g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (28% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and calcium.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use phyllo dough instead of making my own pastry?
Yes, using store-bought phyllo dough can save time. Just make sure to layer and butter the sheets well, as they can dry out quickly. Follow the same baking and syrup drizzling instructions for a delicious result.
What can I substitute for almond powder if I have nut allergies?
If you're allergic to nuts, you can use sunflower seed meal or a combination of finely ground oats and coconut flour as a substitute for almond powder. The texture will differ slightly, but it will still yield a lovely dessert.
How can I make the syrup less sweet?
To reduce the sweetness of the syrup, consider cutting down the amount of sugar by a third and adding a bit of lemon juice for balance. This will add a nice tartness that complements the rich flavors of the baklava.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).