Baklava
Prep: 60 min
Cook: 45 min
Hard
Ingredients
500 g filo pastry (thin sheets)
300 g butter (melted)
300 g pistachios (ground)
2 cups sugar
1.5 cups water
1 tbsp lemon juice
The Story
Baklava is one of the most magnificent desserts of the Ottoman Empire. Made in royal kitchens for centuries, it is now listed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Gaziantep baklava was among Turkey's first geographically protected food products.
Instructions
- Boil sugar, water and lemon to a light syrup; cool completely.
- Layer 10 sheets of filo in a buttered tray, brushing each with butter.
- Spread pistachios evenly, top with 10 more filo layers, brushing each.
- Cut into diamond shapes before baking.
- Bake at 180°C for 35–40 min until golden.
- Immediately pour cold syrup over hot baklava; rest 2 hours before serving.