Turkish Baklava Recipe; Make a Fistikli Baklava in 7 Steps!

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Baklava is a classic Middle Eastern dessert that has been delighting taste buds for centuries. It is made from layers of thin pastry dough filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with honey or syrup. Making this delicious treat can be a labor of love, but the results are worth it. This Turkish Baklava Recipe from Cooking County will help you create a traditional version of this popular dessert in your own kitchen.

Turkish Baklava History

The history of Turkish Baklava can be traced back to the Ottoman Empire, which ruled over a vast region that included present-day Turkey, Greece, and the Balkans. Baklava was a popular sweet pastry in Ottoman cuisine and was often served at banquets and special occasions. The original recipe for the Baklava is thought to have originated in Central Asia. Still, it was brought to Anatolia (present-day Turkey) by the Seljuk Turks and was later refined and perfected by the Ottomans.

The recipe for Turkish Baklava has remained largely unchanged over the centuries, with only minor variations in the type of nuts used and the syrup used to sweeten the pastry. Today, Baklava is a beloved dessert throughout Turkey and is also enjoyed in other parts of the world, where it is often served with a cup of Turkish coffee or tea. The delicate layers of phyllo dough, the sweet, nutty filling, and the syrupy sweetness of the syrup all combine to create a delicious and indulgent treat that is truly unique to Turkish cuisine.

How does Turkish Baklava Taste?

Turkish Baklava is a rich, sweet dessert that has been delighting taste buds for centuries. This traditional treat is made by layering thin sheets of phyllo dough with a mixture of chopped nuts and spices before baking it to perfection in the oven. The end result is a flaky pastry with an irresistible flavor and texture.

The distinctive sweetness of Turkish Baklava comes from the combination of syrup or honey infused into the layers during baking. The nutty filling adds crunchiness, with typical ingredients including walnuts, pistachios, almonds and hazelnuts mixed together with sugar and fragrant spices such as cinnamon, cloves or cardamom. Adding a further depth of flavor is the butter which gives the pastry its golden hue when baked. When served warm, it melts in your mouth, leaving you wanting more!

How to Make Turkish Baklava?

Baklava is a popular Turkish pastry made from phyllo dough, nuts, and syrup layers.
Here’s a recipe to make Turkish Baklava at home:

Ingredients

For the syrup:

1 and 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 and 1/2 cups water
1 tablespoon lemon juice

For the filling:

1 and 1/2 cups ground walnuts or pistachios
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the Baklava:

1 package (16 oz) phyllo dough
1 cup unsalted butter, melted

Directions

Step One

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Combine the sugar, water, and lemon juice in a small saucepan to make the syrup. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

Step Two

Once the sugar is dissolved, reduce the heat to low and simmer the syrup for 10-15 minutes until it thickens slightly. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

Step Three

To make the filling, mix together the ground walnuts or pistachios, sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl.

Step Four

To assemble the Baklava, unroll the phyllo dough and cover it with a damp towel to prevent it from drying out.

Step Five

Brush a 9×13-inch baking dish with melted butter. Lay a sheet of phyllo dough in the bottom of the dish and brush it with melted butter. Repeat this process, layering 8-10 sheets of phyllo dough in the dish.

Step Six

Sprinkle a layer of the nut mixture over the phyllo dough. Add another layer of phyllo dough and brush with melted butter. Repeat this process until you have used all the nut mixtures, ending with a layer of phyllo dough.

Step Seven

Brush the top layer of phyllo dough with melted butter. Use a sharp knife to score the Baklava into diamonds or squares, being careful not to cut it all the way through the bottom layer. Bake the Baklava for 30-35 minutes until it is golden brown and crispy.

How to Serve Turkish Baklava?

Remove the Baklava from the oven and pour the cooled syrup over the top, ensuring it seeps into the cuts. Allow the Baklava to cool to room temperature before serving. Enjoy your delicious Turkish Baklava!

Do not forget to make this recipe and share it with us. If you also have any related questions about this recipe, please do not hesitate to ask.

If you like this recipe, we recommend you to try Persian Baklava!

Key Points about Turkish Baklava

Here are some key points to keep in mind when making Turkish Baklava:

Phyllo dough is a delicate pastry dough that dries out quickly, so make sure to cover it with a damp towel while working with it to prevent it from drying out and becoming brittle.
Use unsalted butter to brush the phyllo dough, as salted butter can affect the taste of the Baklava.
Ground walnuts or pistachios are the most common nuts used in Turkish Baklava, but you can use other nuts like almonds or hazelnuts if you prefer.
The syrup used to sweeten the Baklava is an important recipe element. Simmer it until it thickens slightly and let it cool before pouring it over the hot Baklava.
Be careful when cutting the Baklava into diamonds or squares, as the layers can easily shift and become misaligned. Use a sharp knife and try to make clean, even cuts.
Allow the Baklava to cool completely before serving to allow the flavors to meld together and the syrup to soak into the pastry layers.
Turkish Baklava is often served with a cup of Turkish coffee or tea, but it can also be enjoyed on its own as a sweet treat.

How many Calories does Turkish Baklava Contain?

On average, one piece of Turkish Baklava contains about 140-170 calories. It also contains 5-6 grams of fat and 22-25 grams of carbohydrates. Of course, depending on the recipe used, these numbers can vary widely, so it’s important to check each individual serving size before indulging. In addition to its calorie count, Turkish Baklava also contains some vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, C and E, as well as calcium and iron.

FAQs about Turkish Baklava

What is Turkish Baklava?

Turkish Baklava is a traditional dessert originating from the Middle East and Central Asia. This delicious treat is made with layers of filo pastry that are filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey. It has become popular all over the world due to its unique flavor, texture, and appearance.

How much time does it take to make Turkish Baklava?

Assuming you are making Turkish Baklava from scratch, it will take approximately 3 hours to make this dish.

What are the ingredients in Turkish Baklava?

Turkish Baklava is made from layers of delicate phyllo dough. The filling is typically made from ground walnuts or pistachios mixed with sugar and cinnamon. The syrup is made from granulated sugar, water, and lemon juice. The combination of these ingredients creates a delicious, flaky pastry with a sweet, nutty flavor.

Turkish Baklava Recipe; Make a Tasty Baklava in 7 Steps!

Recipe by Parisa Kazemi RadCourse: SweetsCuisine: TurkishDifficulty: Medium

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

hour

Calories (One piece)

140

kcal

Dive into the sweet world of Turkish baklava! Discover the rich history, irresistible layers of filo pastry, and the perfect blend of nuts and honey.

Ingredients

For the syrup:
1 and 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 and 1/2 cups water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
For the filling:
1 and 1/2 cups ground walnuts or pistachios
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Baklava:
1 package (16 oz) phyllo dough
1 cup unsalted butter, melted

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Combine the sugar, water, and lemon juice in a small saucepan to make the syrup. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Once the sugar is dissolved, reduce the heat to low and simmer the syrup for 10-15 minutes until it thickens slightly. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
To make the filling, mix together the ground walnuts or pistachios, sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl.
To assemble the Baklava, unroll the phyllo dough and cover it with a damp towel to prevent it from drying out.
Brush a 9×13-inch baking dish with melted butter. Lay a sheet of phyllo dough in the bottom of the dish and brush it with melted butter. Repeat this process, layering 8-10 sheets of phyllo dough in the dish.
Sprinkle a layer of the nut mixture over the phyllo dough. Add another layer of phyllo dough and brush with melted butter. Repeat this process until you have used all the nut mixtures, ending with a layer of phyllo dough.
Brush the top layer of phyllo dough with melted butter. Use a sharp knife to score the Baklava into diamonds or squares, being careful not to cut it all the way through the bottom layer. Bake the Baklava for 30-35 minutes until it is golden brown and crispy.