Baklava with Honey and Pistachios
Baklava is a classic Middle Eastern dessert made with layers of filo dough, nuts, and honey. However, baklava can be made in many different ways, with different combinations of nuts, spices, and sweeteners. This recipe for baklava with honey and pistachios is a simple and straightforward way to make this delicious dessert at home. Every culture has a layered, sweet pastry that's made using nuts, and the Middle Eastern version is called baklava. The oldest known baklava recipe is from Turkey and dates back to the 15th century, and by the 17th century, baklava was a beloved dessert in the vast Ottoman Empire. This is a dessert that turns up in many corners of the former Ottoman empire, like the Balkans, Arab world, Turkey, and Greece, but nobody can agree on who invented it. This honey and pistachio baklava is made in a rectangular pan, and is made with layers of filo, chopped and spiced nuts, and a simple honey syrup, which, when it's poured over the pastry, keeps the whole thing moist and sticky sweet.
The origins of baklava are shrouded in mystery, with many different countries claiming to have invented this delicious dessert. One popular theory is that baklava was first created in the kitchens of the Ottoman Empire, where it was enjoyed by the sultans and their courts. Another theory suggests that baklava was brought to the Middle East by Arab traders, who had learned to make it from the Persians. Whatever its origins, baklava has become a beloved dessert all over the world, and there are many different regional variations on the classic recipe. This recipe for baklava with honey and pistachios is a simple and straightforward way to make this delicious dessert at home. The combination of sweet honey, crunchy nuts, and flaky filo dough is sure to please everyone at your table.
Baklava with Honey and Pistachios Baklava with Honey and Pistachios Baklava with Honey and Pistachios Baklava with Honey and Pistachios
Prep time: 15 | Cook time: 35 | Serves: 8
Ingredients
  • 1 cup raw honey
  • 1/2 cup chopped pistachios
  • 1/4 cup chopped almonds
  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 16 sheets phyllo dough
  • 1/2 cup melted butter
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  2. In a small bowl, combine the honey, pistachios, almonds, walnuts, cinnamon, and cardamom.
  3. In a separate bowl, melt the butter.
  4. Brush a 9x13 inch baking dish with melted butter.
  5. Lay 8 sheets of phyllo dough in the bottom of the prepared dish, brushing each sheet with melted butter.
  6. Spread the nut mixture over the phyllo dough.
  7. Lay the remaining 8 sheets of phyllo dough over the nut mixture, brushing each sheet with melted butter.
  8. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
Why It Works
  • The use of filo dough in this recipe gives the baklava a light and flaky texture.
  • The combination of honey and pistachios adds a delicious sweetness and crunch to the baklava.
  • The spices used in this recipe, such as cinnamon and cardamom, add a warm and aromatic flavor to the baklava.