Honey Walnut Baklava with Lemon Syrup

This baklava recipe features layers of crisp, flaky phyllo dough, buttery chopped walnuts, and a beautifully balanced honey-lemon syrup. Perfect for a party or as a delectable homemade treat.

Recipe Details

  • Prep Time: 1 hour
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
  • Servings: 30 pieces

Full Ingredient List

  • 16 oz phyllo dough
  • 1 1/4 cups unsalted butter
  • 1 lb walnuts
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1/2 cup honey

Syrup

Tools and Equipment

  • medium saucepan

Ingredients

Quantity Name Preparation Notes Substitutions
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup honey
2 Tbsp lemon juice juice of 1/2 lemon
3/4 cup water

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Combine sugar, honey, lemon juice, and water in a medium saucepan.
  2. Step 2: Bring to a boil over medium/high heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved.
  3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium/low and boil for an additional 4 minutes without stirring.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and let syrup cool while preparing baklava.

Baklava

Tools and Equipment

  • 9x13 non-stick baking pan
  • food processor
  • damp towel
  • pastry brush

Ingredients

Quantity Name Preparation Notes Substitutions
16 oz phyllo dough thawed by package instructions
1 1/4 cups unsalted butter melted
1 lb walnuts finely chopped pecans, pistachios
1 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 325˚F.
  2. Step 2: Trim phyllo dough to fit the baking dish and keep it covered with a damp towel to prevent drying out.
  3. Step 3: Butter the bottom and sides of a 9x13 non-stick baking pan.
  4. Step 4: Pulse walnuts in a food processor about 10 times until coarsely ground. Mix with ground cinnamon in a bowl.
  5. Step 5: Place 10 sheets of phyllo dough in the pan one at a time, brushing each with melted butter after placing it.
  6. Step 6: Spread about 3/4 cup of walnut mixture over the phyllo layer.
  7. Step 7: Add 5 more buttered phyllo sheets, a layer of nuts, and repeat the process four times, ending with 10 buttered phyllo sheets on top.
  8. Step 8: Cut into 1 1/2 inch strips and then diagonally to create diamond shapes.
  9. Step 9: Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes until golden brown.
  10. Step 10: Immediately pour cooled syrup over hot baklava after baking; let it sit uncovered to cool completely. (Tips: For best results, let the baklava sit for 4-6 hours or overnight to allow the syrup to soak in.)

Additional Information

Notes: For garnish, you may drizzle melted chocolate or sprinkle chopped walnuts on top. Store at room temperature covered with a tea towel for up to 2 weeks.

Tags

dessert Greek Middle Eastern holiday