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

Put 1lb of butter into a pot on low heat until all foam disappears from the top
When butter appears clear (golden liquid), turn off heat and set the pot aside to cool
Make sure the residue at the bottom of the pan does not pour out
Discard residue and put the rendered butter in a separate jar
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

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

Step 3: Make the Pecan Spread

Use a large bowl to make the pecan spread

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

Step 4: Line the Buttered Pan With Fillo Dough

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

Step 5: Spread the Pecan Spread on the Filo Dough

Evenly spread a thick layer of the pecan spread

Step 6: Put on the Top Layer of Filo Dough

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

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

Step 8: Put in Oven

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