Moments Critiques
- •Syrup must be COOL when added to HOT baklava
- •Each phyllo sheet must be buttered
- •Nuts ground but not to a paste
- •Must cut before baking (not after)
- •Bake until deep golden-brown (not underdone)
Prepare the saffron and syrup
Grind the saffron with a pinch of sugar and bloom in 2 tablespoons hot water for at least 15 minutes. In a medium saucepan, combine 400g sugar, 300ml water, and lemon juice. Heat over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes without stirring. Remove from heat, stir in the bloomed saffron and rosewater. Let cool completely—the syrup must be cool when poured over hot baklava.
Étape Critique
The syrup must be completely cool when added to hot baklava—this creates the proper absorption and texture. Hot syrup on hot baklava = soggy disaster. Also, the saffron color should be vibrant.
Prepare the saffron and syrup
Grind the saffron with a pinch of sugar and bloom in 2 tablespoons hot water for at least 15 minutes. In a medium saucepan, combine 400g sugar, 300ml water, and lemon juice. Heat over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes without stirring. Remove from heat, stir in the bloomed saffron and rosewater. Let cool completely—the syrup must be cool when poured over hot baklava.
Étape Critique
The syrup must be completely cool when added to hot baklava—this creates the proper absorption and texture. Hot syrup on hot baklava = soggy disaster. Also, the saffron color should be vibrant.
Prepare the nut filling
In a food processor, pulse the pistachios and almonds until finely ground but not a paste—you want texture, not nut butter. Some small pieces are desirable. Transfer to a bowl and mix with 75g sugar and cardamom until evenly combined.
Étape Critique
Over-processing creates nut butter which won't layer properly and becomes greasy. Pulse in short bursts and check frequently. Some texture is essential.
Prepare the nut filling
In a food processor, pulse the pistachios and almonds until finely ground but not a paste—you want texture, not nut butter. Some small pieces are desirable. Transfer to a bowl and mix with 75g sugar and cardamom until evenly combined.
Étape Critique
Over-processing creates nut butter which won't layer properly and becomes greasy. Pulse in short bursts and check frequently. Some texture is essential.
Prepare phyllo and butter
Preheat oven to 165°C (325°F). Melt the butter and let it cool slightly. Unroll the phyllo and cover with a damp (not wet) kitchen towel to prevent drying. Brush a 9x13 inch baking pan generously with melted butter.
Étape Critique
Phyllo dries out within minutes when exposed to air, becoming brittle and impossible to work with. Keep it covered at all times except when actively taking a sheet.
Prepare phyllo and butter
Preheat oven to 165°C (325°F). Melt the butter and let it cool slightly. Unroll the phyllo and cover with a damp (not wet) kitchen towel to prevent drying. Brush a 9x13 inch baking pan generously with melted butter.
Étape Critique
Phyllo dries out within minutes when exposed to air, becoming brittle and impossible to work with. Keep it covered at all times except when actively taking a sheet.
Layer the bottom phyllo
Place one phyllo sheet in the prepared pan, letting excess hang over edges (you'll trim later). Brush generously with melted butter. Repeat with 7-8 more sheets, brushing each with butter. These buttered layers form the crispy bottom.
Étape Critique
Each sheet must be buttered—this creates the crispy, flaky layers. Unbuttered sheets stick together and become tough. Generous butter is the key to good baklava.
Layer the bottom phyllo
Place one phyllo sheet in the prepared pan, letting excess hang over edges (you'll trim later). Brush generously with melted butter. Repeat with 7-8 more sheets, brushing each with butter. These buttered layers form the crispy bottom.
Étape Critique
Each sheet must be buttered—this creates the crispy, flaky layers. Unbuttered sheets stick together and become tough. Generous butter is the key to good baklava.
Add the nut filling
Spread half of the nut mixture evenly over the phyllo layers, creating a uniform layer. Press down gently.
Add the nut filling
Spread half of the nut mixture evenly over the phyllo layers, creating a uniform layer. Press down gently.
Add middle phyllo layers
Layer 4-5 more phyllo sheets over the nuts, brushing each with butter. This creates the middle layer.
Add middle phyllo layers
Layer 4-5 more phyllo sheets over the nuts, brushing each with butter. This creates the middle layer.
Add remaining nuts and top layers
Spread the remaining nut mixture evenly over the middle phyllo layers. Top with 8-10 more phyllo sheets, brushing each generously with butter. Brush the top sheet very generously. Tuck or trim overhanging edges.
Add remaining nuts and top layers
Spread the remaining nut mixture evenly over the middle phyllo layers. Top with 8-10 more phyllo sheets, brushing each generously with butter. Brush the top sheet very generously. Tuck or trim overhanging edges.
Cut before baking
Using a very sharp knife, cut the baklava into diamond shapes: first cut parallel lines about 4-5cm apart, then cut diagonal lines at an angle to create diamonds. Cut all the way through to the bottom. This must be done before baking.
Étape Critique
Baklava MUST be cut before baking—cutting after baking shatters the crispy layers. The pre-cut lines allow syrup to penetrate and the pieces to separate cleanly.
Cut before baking
Using a very sharp knife, cut the baklava into diamond shapes: first cut parallel lines about 4-5cm apart, then cut diagonal lines at an angle to create diamonds. Cut all the way through to the bottom. This must be done before baking.
Étape Critique
Baklava MUST be cut before baking—cutting after baking shatters the crispy layers. The pre-cut lines allow syrup to penetrate and the pieces to separate cleanly.
Bake until golden
Bake in preheated oven at 165°C (325°F) for 45-55 minutes until the top is deep golden-brown and the layers are crispy. The baklava should be evenly colored with no pale spots. Rotate pan halfway through for even browning.
Étape Critique
Underbaking results in soggy, undercooked baklava. The layers must be fully cooked and crispy before syrup is added. Better slightly over than under. The color should be deep gold, not pale.
Bake until golden
Bake in preheated oven at 165°C (325°F) for 45-55 minutes until the top is deep golden-brown and the layers are crispy. The baklava should be evenly colored with no pale spots. Rotate pan halfway through for even browning.
Étape Critique
Underbaking results in soggy, undercooked baklava. The layers must be fully cooked and crispy before syrup is added. Better slightly over than under. The color should be deep gold, not pale.
Add the cool syrup
Remove hot baklava from oven. Immediately pour the COOL syrup evenly over the HOT baklava, making sure it gets into all the cuts. You'll hear a satisfying sizzle. The syrup will be absorbed as it cools. Use all the syrup.
Étape Critique
The temperature contrast is essential: COOL syrup + HOT baklava = proper absorption and crispy-yet-moist texture. Same temperature = soggy baklava. This cannot be corrected.
Add the cool syrup
Remove hot baklava from oven. Immediately pour the COOL syrup evenly over the HOT baklava, making sure it gets into all the cuts. You'll hear a satisfying sizzle. The syrup will be absorbed as it cools. Use all the syrup.
Étape Critique
The temperature contrast is essential: COOL syrup + HOT baklava = proper absorption and crispy-yet-moist texture. Same temperature = soggy baklava. This cannot be corrected.
Cool and garnish
Let the baklava cool completely in the pan—at least 4 hours or overnight. The syrup will fully absorb and the layers will set. Once cool, sprinkle the top with ground pistachios for the traditional Persian finish.
Cool and garnish
Let the baklava cool completely in the pan—at least 4 hours or overnight. The syrup will fully absorb and the layers will set. Once cool, sprinkle the top with ground pistachios for the traditional Persian finish.
Serve
Use a sharp spatula to lift individual pieces from the pan. Arrange on a serving platter or in paper cups for gifting. Store uncovered at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Serve
Use a sharp spatula to lift individual pieces from the pan. Arrange on a serving platter or in paper cups for gifting. Store uncovered at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Repos Requis
240 min - Syrup must fully absorb; flavors meld; texture sets
