Baklava Recipe

Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Prepare the Nut Filling

In a food processor, combine the walnuts, pistachios, sugar, and ground cinnamon. Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped but not a paste.

Melt the Butter

In a small saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over low heat. Once melted, remove from heat and let cool slightly.

Layer the Filo

Unroll the filo pastry and cover it with a damp cloth to prevent drying out. Brush a 9x13 inch baking dish with melted butter. Place one sheet of filo in the dish and brush with butter. Repeat this process, layering and buttering 8 sheets.

Add the Nut Filling

Evenly spread a layer of the nut filling over the buttered filo. Top with 4 more sheets of filo, buttering each one as before.

Repeat Layers

Continue layering filo and nut mixture, finishing with about 8 sheets of filo on top, buttering each layer.

Cut the Baklava

Before baking, use a sharp knife to cut the baklava into diamond or square shapes.

Bake the Baklava

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

Prepare the Syrup

While the baklava bakes, prepare the syrup. In a saucepan, combine water, granulated sugar, honey, and vanilla extract. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for about 10 minutes.

Soak the Baklava

Once the baklava is done baking, remove it from the oven and immediately pour the syrup over it, making sure to cover all pieces. Let it cool completely before serving.