Introduction: Baklawa Recipe

Baklawa is a Lebanese pastry that resembles Baklava. In this recipe, instead of using crushed peanuts and almonds, we will be using pecans to make a sweeter pastry.

Warning: To make baklawa, you will be using an oven. Be cautious to use oven mitts and allow for food to cool.

Materials Needed:

Kitchen Utensils

  • 9x9 pan
  • oven
  • stove
  • oven mitts
  • basting brush
  • large pot
  • large bowl
  • blender
  • microwave

Ingredients

  • 1lb butter
  • 2-tablespoon rosewater
  • 2-tablespoon orange-water
  • pecans
  • 2 rolls of filo dough
  • 1/2 cup of water
  • 1/2 cup of powdered sugar
  • 1 cup of sugar
  • 1-teaspoon of lemon juice
  • cinnamon

Step 1: Render the Butter

The butter should look like this once it has had time to settle

  1. Put 1lb of butter into a pot on low heat until all foam disappears from the top
  2. When butter appears clear (golden liquid), turn off heat and set the pot aside to cool
  3. Make sure the residue at the bottom of the pan does not pour out
  4. Discard residue and put the rendered butter in a separate jar
  5. Heat the butter up in the microwave for 30 seconds before spreading on fillo bread and pan

Step 2: Make the Syrup Glaze

Put ingredients into a pot and bring to a boil

  1. 1/2 cup of water
  2. 1 cup of sugar
  3. 1-teaspoon of lemon-juice
  4. Bring to a boil
  5. Put syrup into a separate container
  6. Set aside to cool

Step 3: Make the Pecan Spread

Use a large bowl to make the pecan spread

  1. 4 cups of grounded pecans (grind pecans until fine in a blender)
  2. 2-tablespoon of rosewater
  3. 2-tablespoon of orange-water
  4. 1/2 cup of powdered sugar
  5. dash of cinnamon
  6. stir until completely mixed

Step 4: Line the Buttered Pan With Fillo Dough

  1. Take a 9x9 pan and gloss butter on the bottom
  2. Take one roll of filo dough and cut to fit pan
  3. Spread butter on three or four different layers of filo dough

Step 5: Spread the Pecan Spread on the Filo Dough

  1. Evenly spread a thick layer of the pecan spread

Step 6: Put on the Top Layer of Filo Dough

  1. With the second roll of filo dough, put the dough on top of the spread following the directions from step 4

Step 7: Cut the Pastry Into a Diamond

  1. Cut completely through the pastry horizontally making equal cuts along the length of pastry
  2. Cut diagonally completely through the pastry to make a diamond shape
  3. Pour remaining butter evenly on top layer

Step 8: Put in Oven

  1. Put the Baklawa in the oven set on 350º for 45 minutes
  2. Lower oven to 300º for another 15 minutes (less/more time if color is not/already golden brown)
  3. Use oven mitts to take out of oven

Step 9: Pour the Syrup

  1. Pour the syrup made in step 2 evenly on the top layer making sure to allow for the syrup to soak through to all layers

Step 10: Enjoy!