Gretchen's Baklava

Indulge in the irresistible layers of "Gretchen's Baklava," a decadent dessert that combines the perfect balance of flaky phyllo dough, a luscious nut filling, and a fragrant honey syrup. This homemade classic features finely chopped walnuts and pistachios blended with warm cinnamon, layered between buttery sheets of phyllo for a rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Topped with a luxurious syrup infused with honey, lemon, and vanilla, every bite delivers a delightful mix of sweetness and crunch. With just 30 minutes of prep and a wonderfully aromatic bake, this recipe yields 24 servings of golden, syrup-soaked perfection. Whether for festive occasions or a special treat, Gretchen's Baklava is sure to impress with its authentic flavor and stunning presentation—just be sure to save room for seconds!

Nutriscore Rating: 50/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 24

Ingredients

• 16 sheets phyllo dough
• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cups walnuts, finely chopped
• 1 cup pistachios, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.5 cup granulated sugar
• 0.5 cup water
• 0.75 cup honey
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with a thin layer of melted butter.

Step 2

In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped walnuts, pistachios, ground cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar. Set this nut mixture aside.

Step 3

Unroll the phyllo dough and carefully cut it to fit the dimensions of your baking dish, if necessary. Cover the sheets with a damp cloth to prevent them from drying out.

Step 4

Place one sheet of phyllo dough into the bottom of the greased dish. Brush it generously with melted butter. Repeat this process with 8 sheets, brushing each layer with butter.

Step 5

Spread 1/3 of the nut mixture evenly over the buttered phyllo layers.

Step 6

Add another 8 layers of phyllo, brushing each sheet with butter, then add another 1/3 of the nut mixture. Repeat this step until all the nut mixture is used, finishing with a final 8 layers of buttered phyllo dough on top.

Step 7

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

Step 8

Bake the baklava in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crisp.

Step 9

While the baklava bakes, prepare the honey syrup: In a saucepan, combine the remaining sugar, water, honey, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

Step 10

Once the baklava is out of the oven, immediately pour the prepared honey syrup evenly over the hot pastry, ensuring it seeps into all the cuts and layers.

Step 11

Allow the baklava to cool at room temperature for at least 4 hours (or overnight) to fully absorb the syrup and set.

Step 12

Serve at room temperature and enjoy. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to one week.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1373.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6013.7

Total Fat 438.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 145.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 516.7mg	0%
Sodium 1863.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 498.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 45.5g	0%
Total Sugars 264.4g
Protein 95.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 483.9mg	0%
Iron 19.5mg	0%
Potassium 3024.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 62.4%

Protein: 6.1%

Carbs: 31.5%