Greek Baklava

Walking around any city in Greece, you will soon realize there are beautiful bakeries everywhere serving tray after tray of syrup-laden desserts. The most popular Greek dessert is baklava. Famous for its flaky phyllo dough, rich nutty filling, and sweet syrup, baklava is the ultimate Greek dessert. Many people have only had a store-bought, pre-made version of baklava. The real thing is so much better! The store-bought are loaded with preservatives and a list of ingredients too long for comfort. The homemade version uses good quality extra virgin olive oil which I know the store brands aren’t using.

Greek Baklava

My favorite way to eat Greek baklava is with a nice strong black coffee. The best is a boiled Greek coffee. The sweet baklava contrasts perfectly with the black coffee.

 

Baklava: Mediterranean Diet Recipe

Photo by Christine Dutton

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

Mediterranean Diet Weight Loss Plan
Baklava: Mediterranean Diet Recipe

Greek Baklava

Koula Barydakis
No rating - Click the stars to add yours!
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 24
Calories 393 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 12 sheets phyllo pastry dough
  • 2 cups almonds, chopped
  • 2 cups walnuts, chopped
  • 1 cup sesame seeds
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ground cloves
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • 1 cup extra virgin olive oil (to brush the dough)
  • Whole cloves (1 for each piece of baklava)

Syrup:

  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup honey
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 peel of lemon
  • 1 lemon juice

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Mix almonds, walnuts, sesame seeds, cinnamon, ground cloves, and honey in a bowl.
  • Brush 1 sheet phyllo (both sides) with olive oil and place in baking pan. Place 3 additional oiled sheets on top. Spread half of the nut mixture evenly on the phyllo.
  • Brush 4 sheets of phyllo dough (separately) with olive oil and layer on top of nut mixture. Add the rest of the nut mixture on top of the phyllo you just layed down.
  • Cut the baklava into square pieces. Place one whole clove on each piece. Bake for 35 minutes or until top is golden brown.
  • While the baklava is baking, make the syrup.
  • For the syrup add water, honey, sugar, cinnamon stick, and lemon peel to a saucepan. Bring to a boil, lower to a simmer. Simmer for 15 minutes and then let the syrup cool down until it's warm, not hot. Mix in the lemon juice.
  • Remove the baklava from the oven and pour the warm syrup over the baklava.
  • Let cool before serving and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 393kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 6gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0.003gSodium: 49mgPotassium: 180mgFiber: 3gSugar: 31gVitamin A: 4IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 110mgIron: 2mg
Have you tried this recipe? Tell us about it!Click here to rate this recipe in the comments section below.
About the Author: Koula Barydakis
Koula Barydakis was born into a long tradition of eating and living Mediterranean on the Greek island of Crete. She is a chef who has worked in many of the top restaurants in Crete and in Greek Town in Toronto, Canada. Koula is the co-author of “Foods of Crete, Traditional Recipes of the Healthiest People in the World” and is currently completing her second cookbook. Koula teaches cooking classes to tourists in Crete and has been hired to teach classes in other countries as well.
Mediterranean Living

Our Newsletter

Get seasonal recipe ideas as well as special offers on our online programs, live webinars and video releases. Sent once a week.