Baklava Recipe

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with some of the melted butter.

Step 2: Prepare the Nut Mixture

1. In a medium bowl, combine the finely chopped nuts, sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves. Mix well.

Step 3: Layer the Filo Pastry

1. Unroll the filo pastry dough and cut to fit the size of your baking dish if necessary. Cover the filo with a damp cloth to keep it from drying out.
2. Place one sheet of filo in the prepared baking dish and brush with melted butter. Repeat this process, layering and buttering, until you have 8 sheets layered.

Step 4: Add Nut Filling

1. Sprinkle a thin layer of the nut mixture evenly over the buttered filo sheets.
2. Layer 4 more sheets of filo, buttering each layer. Repeat the process of layering nuts and filo until all the nut mixture is used, finishing with 8 layers of filo on top.

Step 5: Cut the Baklava

1. Using a sharp knife, cut the baklava into diamond or square shapes, cutting all the way through to the bottom of the dish.

Step 6: Bake the Baklava

1. Bake in the preheated oven for about 45-50 minutes, or until the baklava is golden brown and crisp.

Step 7: Prepare the Syrup

1. While the baklava is baking, combine the water, sugar, and honey in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes.
2. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and lemon juice. Allow to cool slightly.

Step 8: Add the Syrup

1. Remove the baklava from the oven and immediately pour the syrup evenly over the hot baklava, making sure to cover all the pieces.
2. Allow the baklava to cool completely and absorb the syrup for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.

Step 9: Serve

1. Once the baklava has cooled and the syrup is absorbed, you can serve the pieces. Enjoy this rich and sweet treat!

Enjoy your delicious and crispy baklava!