Homemade Baklava – Recipe for Homemade Baklava – How to Make Homemade Baklava

Homemade Baklava – Recipe for Homemade Baklava – How to Make Homemade Baklava

Homemade baklava is a type of Turkish dessert that originated during the Ottoman Empire. It’s high in calories due to its content of carbohydrates, sugars, fats, and more. Although it requires some effort to prepare, it doesn’t take much time, as it can be cooked in just 30 minutes, and is enough for eight people.

Main Ingredients for Preparing Homemade Baklava:

 

Dough Ingredients:

• 3 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1¼ teaspoons of salt
• 2 tablespoons of sunflower oil
• 1 large egg
• ¼ teaspoon of liquid vanilla (or vanilla powder if liquid vanilla is not available)
• 1 cup of warm water

Filling Ingredients:

• 3 cups of crushed green pistachios
• 1 cup of grated almonds
• ½ cup of fine sugar granules
• ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1 large egg yolk
• 2 tablespoons of rose water
• 1 cup of clarified butter
• ½ cup of butter

For Serving:

• Sugar syrup (also known as qatr)

Steps to Prepare Homemade Baklava:

1. Preparing the Dough:
   Start by preparing the dough. In a stand mixer, add 2½ cups of flour along with the salt, oil, egg, vanilla, and warm water. Mix on low speed for a few seconds until all the ingredients are combined, and the dough starts forming. Gradually add the remaining flour in stages until a cohesive dough forms that pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Continue mixing on medium speed for 5 minutes to achieve a soft, smooth dough.

2. Resting the Dough:
   Remove the dough from the mixer and divide it into 16 small balls. Place them all in a plate dusted with plenty of cornstarch, toss them gently, then cover the plate with plastic wrap. Let the dough rest for 30 minutes to allow it to rise.

3. Preparing the Filling:
   In a large, deep bowl, mix the crushed pistachios, grated almonds, sugar, cinnamon, egg yolk, and rose water using a wide plastic spoon.

4. Rolling the Dough:
   After the dough has rested, remove the excess cornstarch using a brush. Dust your working surface with a bit of cornstarch, then take one ball of dough and roll it out into a thin, round sheet using a rolling pin. Once rolled, place it on the other side of your work surface, sprinkle more cornstarch on top, and repeat the process for the remaining dough balls. Stack the dough sheets on top of each other, ensuring each layer is dusted with cornstarch to prevent sticking.

5. Layering the Dough:
   In a large pot, melt the clarified butter and butter over medium heat. Using a wide brush, apply a little of the butter mixture to the first layer of dough placed in your baking tray. Repeat this process for half of the dough layers. Then, generously spread the filling mixture over the buttered layers. Cover the filling with another layer of dough, brush with butter, and repeat until all the dough layers are used, except the top layer, which remains unbuttered.

6. Baking the Baklava:
   Pre-cut the baklava before placing it in the oven. Distribute the remaining butter mixture over the top. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F), place the baklava on the middle rack, and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until golden.

7. Finishing Touches:
   Once baked, remove the baklava from the oven and pour the sugar syrup evenly over it. Allow it to cool completely before serving.

And that’s it! You’ve made delicious homemade baklava. Enjoy!