Simple Baklava Giada De Laurentiis
Indulge in the irresistible layers of flaky phyllo dough, crunchy nuts, and sweet honey syrup with this Simple Baklava recipe inspired by Giada De Laurentiis. Perfect for baklava beginners or seasoned pastry enthusiasts, this recipe combines the vibrant flavors of chopped walnuts, pistachios, cinnamon, and a hint of lemon for a perfectly balanced dessert. The step-by-step process of layering buttery phyllo dough and a rich nut mixture ensures a crisp, golden-brown texture, while the homemade honey syrup brings everything together with its sticky sweetness. Ready in just under 90 minutes, this baklava is ideal for impressing guests or savoring as a decadent treat at home. Whether you're craving a Mediterranean-inspired dessert or looking for a traditional baklava recipe with a twist, this version will delight your taste buds with every bite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 sheets Phyllo dough
- 1.5 cups Unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups Chopped walnuts
- 1 cup Chopped pistachios
- 3 tablespoons Granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- 3 cups Honey
- 1 cup Water
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with a light layer of melted butter.
In a medium bowl, combine the chopped walnuts, pistachios, granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon. Set the mixture aside.
Unroll the phyllo dough and cut the sheets to fit the size of your baking dish, if necessary. Keep the phyllo covered with a damp cloth to prevent it from drying out.
Place one sheet of phyllo dough into the prepared baking dish and brush it lightly with melted butter. Repeat this step with 7 more sheets of phyllo, layering and buttering each sheet as you go.
Spread half of the nut mixture evenly over the top layer of phyllo. Add another 8 sheets of phyllo on top, layering and buttering each sheet as before.
Spread the remaining nut mixture evenly, then finish with a final layer of 8 sheets of phyllo, again layering and buttering each sheet.
Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the baklava into diamond or square shapes. Make sure to cut all the way through to the bottom layer.
Bake the baklava in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crisp.
While the baklava is baking, make the syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine the honey, water, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the syrup from the heat and let it cool slightly.
Once the baklava is finished baking, remove it from the oven and immediately pour the warm honey syrup evenly over the top, making sure it seeps into all the cuts and layers.
Let the baklava cool completely at room temperature, allowing the syrup to soak in. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
8084 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 513.6 g | 658% | |
| Saturated Fat | 203.0 g | 1015% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 775 mg | 258% | |
| Sodium | 1896 mg | 82% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 870.6 g | 317% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 41.9 g | 150% | |
| Total Sugars | 642.2 g | ||
| Protein | 95.3 g | 191% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 442 mg | 34% | |
| Iron | 19.9 mg | 111% | |
| Potassium | 2977 mg | 63% | |
*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.
