Cyser Baklava Recipes

BAKLAVA RECIPE- HOW TO MAKE BAKLAVA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the sugar and water in a saucepan and heat stove-top, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves. Add the honey, orange extract if using, and whole cloves; stir to mix. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and let simmer for about 25 minutes. Remove syrup from heat and let cool to lukewarm. Add lemon juice. Remove the whole cloves.
• In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a blade, add the pistachios, walnut, and hazelnuts. Pulse a few times to chop. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and add sugar, cinnamon, and ground cloves. Mix well to combine.
• Unroll the thawed phyllo pastry and place the sheets in between two clean kitchen towels. This will help keep the phyllo from breaking while you work.
• Prepare a 9"x 13"x 2" baking pan. Brush the interior of the baking pan with some of the melted butter. To assemble the baklava, take one sheet of phyllo and place it in the pan (for this size pan, I typically fold my phyllo sheet in half, and it fits perfectly. You can also do a bit of trimming using a pair of kitchen shears). Brush the top of the phyllo sheet with the melted butter.
• Repeat this process a few more times until you have used up about 1/3 of the phyllo pastry, each layer being brushed with the melted butter.
• Now, distribute about ½ of the nut mixture evenly over the top layer of phyllo.
• Continue assembling the baklava, one sheet of phyllo pastry at a time using another 1/3 of the phyllo. Again, brush each layer with a bit of the melted butter.
• Distribute the remaining ½ of the nut mixture evenly over the top layer of phyllo.
• Finish the remaining 1/3 of the phyllo pastry following the same process, laying one folded sheet at a time and brushing each layer with melted butter. Brush the very top sheet of phyllo with butter.
• Using a sharp knife, cut the pastry into 24 diamond shaped pieces (you can get up to 36 smaller pieces). (Review the tutorial above to see how I cut baklava).
• Place the baking dish on the middle rack of your heated oven. Bake anywhere from 35 to 45 minutes or until the top of the baklava turns golden and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. (IMPORTANT...Because ovens vary, be sure to check your baklava half-way through baking).
• As soon as you remove the baklava from the oven, pour the cooled syrup all over the hot baklava.
• Allow baklava to sit for a few hours before serving or for at least 1 hour. Cut through the earlier marked pieces. Serve with a garnish of chopped pistachios, if you like.

BAKLAVA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Make the filling: Arrange the walnuts in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet and bake until fragrant, 7 to 10 minutes. (Leave the oven on to bake the baklava.) Let the walnuts cool until just warm to the touch. In a food processor, combine the walnuts, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg, and process until the mixture looks like sand and small pebbles. Transfer the mixture to a medium bowl and set aside.
• Make the syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, water, honey, lemon juice, salt, cinnamon stick (if using), and orange rind (if using). Bring to a boil over medium heat (watch carefully so it doesn't boil over), reduce the temperature to low, and simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Let the syrup cool until you are ready to use it.
• Prep: Near a flat, clean work surface, place a 9x13-inch baking dish, a pastry brush, and the melted butter. Gently lay the phyllo on the work surface and, using a sharp knife, trim the sheets into 8x12-inch rectangles to fit the baking dish. (You can discard the portions you cut off.) Cover the phyllo with plastic wrap and a kitchen towel to prevent it from drying out.
• Assemble the baklava: Brush melted butter on the bottom of the pan. Add the phyllo, 2 sheets at a time, drizzling with 2 to 3 teaspoons of butter after every 2 sheets. When you get to the 14th sheet, add ⅓ of the filling (about 1¼ cups), spreading it evenly over the surface. Then add 6 more phyllo sheets, drizzling butter after every 2 and adding another third of the filling on top of the 6th. Repeat the 6 layers of phyllo and butter, and add the remaining third of the filling over top. Finish the layering as you started with 14 more layers of phyllo, buttering after every 2. Do not butter the top layer.
• Score: To cut the baklava, use a very sharp knife and cut all the way through the layers. You can keep it simple and make 24 squares, or cut each square into a diamond. If this is your first time making baklava, start with the squares to get used to cutting the phyllo. If any butter remains, spoon it into the cut lines.
• Bake: Bake the baklava for 40 to 45 minutes. The top should be golden brown, and you should hear it bubbling.
• Add the syrup: Let the baklava cool for 5 minutes; then use a spoon to drizzle the syrup into all of the cuts. Allow the baklava to cool completely before enjoying, a few hours or overnight.
• Make-Ahead Instructions: The baklava can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, the baklava can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks, or frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
• Note: The number of sheets of phyllo dough in each package varies by brand (and even by box). You will need a total of 40 sheets of phyllo dough for this recipe. Frozen phyllo dough should be thawed in the refrigerator 12 to 24 hours before using.

GREEK BAKLAVA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F(175 degrees C). Butter the bottoms and sides of a 9x13 inch pan.
• Chop nuts and toss with cinnamon. Set aside. Unroll phyllo dough. Cut whole stack in half to fit pan. Cover phyllo with a dampened cloth to keep from drying out as you work. Place two sheets of dough in pan, butter thoroughly. Repeat until you have 8 sheets layered. Sprinkle 2 - 3 tablespoons of nut mixture on top. Top with two sheets of dough, butter, nuts, layering as you go. The top layer should be about 6 - 8 sheets deep.
• Using a sharp knife cut into diamond or square shapes all the way to the bottom of the pan. You may cut into 4 long rows the make diagonal cuts. Bake for about 50 minutes until baklava is golden and crisp.
• Make sauce while baklava is baking. Boil sugar and water until sugar is melted. Add vanilla and honey. Simmer for about 20 minutes.
• Remove baklava from oven and immediately spoon sauce over it. Let cool. Serve in cupcake papers. This freezes well. Leave it uncovered as it gets soggy if it is wrapped up.

CYSER BAKLAVA

Steps:

• Syrup:.
• Use a heavy saucepan and dissolve the sugar in the cyser over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add lemon juice.
• When all the sugar has dissolved, reduce heat to a gentle boil. Do not stir often.
• Add honey once the syrup thickens. If you use a candy thermometer (I never have) it should register 230°F A drop of syrup on a cold plate will not spread.
• It takes about 20-25 minutes. Set aside to cool (but not to get cold).
• Baklava:.
• Preheat oven to 325 f.
• Finely chop the nuts. You want them as close to a meal as you can. I use the blender or food processor.
• Combine with sugar and spices. (Not the whole cloves).
• Place 6 phyllo sheets in a well buttered 13x9 inch baking pan. I think glass works best. Butter the top sheet generously.
• Sprinkle a thin layer of the nut mixture over the phyllo. You want it even and no dough showing, but not thicker than about 1/8 inch.
• Cover with 4 more phyllo sheets and generously butter the top sheet.
• Continue alternating nut mixture and phyllo until you run out of nuts. Top with 8 phyllo sheets and generously butter the top.
• If your sheets are too big for the pan, you may trim them or fold them over.
• Score into squares or diamonds. Place a whole clove in the center of each slice. Pieces are traditionally quite small as it is a very sweet dessert.
• Bake for 30 minutes, then lower the oven to 300 and bake for another 30 minutes, or until golden brown.
• Pour the warm syrup over the hot baklava. Let stand several hours, at least.
• Freezes well.

APPLE AND HONEY BAKLAVA

Steps:

• Take a sheet of filo dough, wide end facing you, and place it on your work surface.
• Brush with butter or margarine.
• Repeat with 5 more sheets, brushing each one with the butter/marg.
• Spread half the apple pie filling on the layered sheets, leaving a 1/2 inch margin all around.
• Sprinkle with half the almonds.
• Sprinkle with a little bit of cinnamon.
• Fold in the short ends of the sheets on the sides, then carefully roll up the dough, starting with the wide end near you.
• Brush the seam with butter, and place on a baking sheet, and brush all over with butter.
• Make sure you brush the ends bits as well.
• Repeat with the remaining 6 sheets, pie filling, almonds and cinnamon.
• Roll up and place on the baking sheet about 2 inches away from the first roll.
• Brush generously with butter.
• Cut the roll diagonally into about 10-12 slices.
• You don't have to cut all the way through, but make sure that there are distinct slices.
• Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 15 minutes.
• Turn the heat down to 250 degrees F, and bake for another 1 hour.
• While the pastry is baking, prepare the syrup.
• Place the sugar, water, honey and cinnamon in a pot that is twice the volume of the syrup ingredients.
• Bring to a boil, and boil away for about 5 minutes.
• Watch out, it can boil up fast.
• Remove the pastry from the oven and pour half of the syrup over the 2 rolls.
• Wait about 10 minutes for the pastry to absorb the syrup, then pour the rest.
• You may have to baste a bit.
• Let cool until you can touch the pastry without burning yourself.
• Cut the slices the rest of the way through.
• Serve, making sure there's lots of napkins for the sticky fingers.

EASY BAKLAVA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish.
• Toss together cinnamon and nuts. Unroll phyllo and cut whole stack in half to fit the dish. Cover phyllo with a damp cloth while assembling the baklava, to keep it from drying out.
• Place two sheets of phyllo in the bottom of the prepared dish. Brush generously with butter. Sprinkle 2 to 3 tablespoons of the nut mixture on top. Repeat layers until all ingredients are used, ending with about 6 sheets of phyllo. Using a sharp knife, cut baklava (all the way through to the bottom of the dish) into four long rows, then (nine times) diagonally to make 36 diamond shapes.
• Bake in preheated oven until golden brown and crisp, about 50 minutes.
• While baklava is baking, combine sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil. Stir in honey, vanilla and lemon or orange zest; reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes.
• Remove the baklava from the oven and immediately spoon the syrup over it. Let cool completely before serving. Store uncovered.

APRICOT BAKLAVA

Steps:

• Warm 3/4 cup wine in saucepan and remove from heat
• Add raisins and soak for 2 - 4 hours
• Put apricots in saucepan and cover with water
• Bring to boil and simmer for 40-45 minutes till very tender
• Drain and reserve liquid if any left
• Process apricots in food processor or mash till smooth
• Put in large bowl
• Add drained raisins, reserving the wine
• Mix in white sugar, cinnamon, 1/2 tsp wine (from the raisins), vanilla, brown sugar
• Allow to cool
• Mix in cashews
• Butter a 13X9X2 baking pan
• Open filo sheets and cut to size of pan
• Process one at a time keeping the rest covered
• Brush butter on top of one sheet and place in pan
• Repeat with 10 sheets one at a time and layer them in pan
• Cover last sheet with apricot mixture
• Cover with the next 10 filo sheets buttering each one as before
• Slice through the top layers diagonally to create diamonds
• Bake at 350 for 40 - 45 minutes till brown on top
• Put on rack to cool before adding syrup
• SYRUP
• In saucepan mix honey, water, nectar (reserved from apricots), sugar, vanilla and wine (from the raisins)
• Bring to boil and simmer for 5 minutes
• Allow to cool completely
• Drizzle on Baklava
• Cover and cool for several hours
• Best if cooled overnight

CRISP, FLAKY BAKLAVA

Steps:

• Grease 13" x 9" baking dish. In large bowl with spoon, combine chopped walnuts, sugar and cinnamon until blended; set mixture aside.
• In baking dish, place 1 sheet of phyllo, allowing it to extend up sides of dish; brush with some more butter. Repeat to make 5 more layers of phyllo; sprinkle with 1 cup walnut mixture. Cut remaining phyllo into approximately 13" by 9" rectangles.
• Place one sheet of phyllo in baking dish over walnut mixture; brush with butter. Repeat to make at least 6 layers, overlapping small strips of phyllo to make rectangles, if necessary. Sprinkle 1 cup walnut mixture evenly over phyllo.
• Repeat step 3 two more times. Place remaining phyllo on top of last walnut layer. Trim any phyllo that extends over top of dish. With sharp knife, cut just halfway through all layers in a diamond pattern to make 28 servings. Bake in 300 degree Fahrenheit oven for 1 hour 25 minutes or until top is golden brown.
• Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan over medium-low heat, heat honey until hot but not boiling. Spoon hot honey evenly over baklava. Cool in pan on wire rack at least 1 hour, then cover and leave at room temperature until serving time.
• To serve: With sharp knife, finish cutting through layers.