How to Make Pistachio Walnut Baklava

Pistachio Walnut Baklava is a delightful Middle Eastern pastry known for its layers of flaky phyllo dough filled with a sweet and nutty mixture, all soaked in a fragrant honey syrup. This recipe combines the rich flavors of pistachios and walnuts with the sweetness of honey, creating a truly irresistible dessert that is perfect for special occasions or as a treat for yourself.

Ingredients for Pistachio Walnut Baklava:

For the Baklava:

• 1 package (16 ounces) phyllo dough, thawed
• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 1/2 cups shelled pistachios
• 1 1/2 cups walnuts
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

For the Syrup:

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 cinnamon stick

How to Make Pistachio Walnut Baklava:

Prepare the Nut Mixture:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. In a food processor, combine the pistachios, walnuts, sugar, cinnamon, and cloves. Pulse until the nuts are finely chopped but not ground into a paste. Set aside.

Assemble the Baklava:

1. Unroll the phyllo dough and cover it with a damp towel to prevent it from drying out.
2. Place one sheet of phyllo dough in the prepared baking dish and brush it with melted butter. Repeat with 7 more sheets, brushing each sheet with butter.
3. Sprinkle a thin, even layer of the nut mixture over the phyllo dough.
4. Continue layering phyllo dough and nut mixture, brushing each phyllo sheet with butter, until all the nut mixture is used, finishing with a top layer of phyllo dough. Make sure to brush the top layer generously with butter.

Bake the Baklava:

1. Using a sharp knife, cut the baklava into diamond or square shapes.
2. Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp.

Make the Syrup:

1. While the baklava is baking, combine the water, sugar, honey, lemon juice, and cinnamon stick in a saucepan.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
3. Remove the cinnamon stick and let the syrup cool slightly.

Finish the Baklava:

1. Once the baklava is done baking, remove it from the oven and immediately pour the warm syrup over the hot baklava.
2. Allow the baklava to cool completely in the pan before serving, allowing the syrup to soak into the layers.

About the Main Ingredients:

Phyllo Dough: Phyllo dough is a thin, unleavened dough that is commonly used in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine. It becomes crispy and flaky when baked, providing the perfect texture for baklava.

Pistachios and Walnuts: These nuts add a rich, nutty flavor and a satisfying crunch to the baklava. They are also a good source of protein, healthy fats, and various vitamins and minerals.

Sugar and Honey: These sweeteners are used in both the nut mixture and the syrup to sweeten the baklava. The combination of sugar and honey creates a sticky, sweet syrup that soaks into the layers of phyllo dough, making the baklava moist and flavorful.

Cinnamon and Cloves: These spices add warmth and depth of flavor to the baklava. They complement the sweetness of the honey and sugar, giving the baklava its characteristic spiced flavor.

Enjoy this Pistachio Walnut Baklava as a delicious and indulgent dessert that is sure to impress your family and friends!