Homemade Easy Turkish Baklava Recipe

Making baklava at home might seem challenging, but by following the steps carefully, you can achieve delicious results. In this recipe, we present a baklava with three different shapes in one tray, offering both a visual and flavorful feast.

Ingredients for Baklava

For the Dough:

• 100 grams margarine
• 1 cup water
• 1 egg
• 1 small cup (tea glass) of vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons grape (or apple) vinegar
• 2 tablespoons yogurt
• Approximately 6 cups of flour (we used 5 ½ cups; the amount may vary depending on the flour quality)
• Walnuts (for filling)

For the Topping:

• 250 grams butter

For the Syrup:

• 4 ½ cups water
• 4 ½ cups granulated sugar
• ¼ lemon

Instructions for Making Baklava

1. Prepare the Dough: Combine all the ingredients listed for the dough and knead thoroughly. Let the dough rest for about 2 hours. This amount of dough is sufficient for one tray of walnut-filled baklava.

2. Divide the Dough: Divide the rested dough into seven pieces, each weighing approximately 150 grams. Use a kitchen scale for accuracy.

3. Shape the Baklava:

   • Half-Moon Shape: Roll out a piece of dough thinly on a floured surface using a rolling pin. Place walnut filling in the center, roll it up, and cut into half-moon shapes using the rim of a glass. Arrange on the baking tray.
   • Straight Rolls: Roll another piece of dough thinly, cut it in half, place walnuts at the edges, and roll into straight shapes. Cut evenly and arrange on the tray.
   • Bird’s Nest Shape: Roll out a dough piece and cut it into six equal rectangular sections. Add walnuts to the edges, roll each piece with a thin rolling pin, scrunch it slightly, and remove the rolling pin to create a round bird’s nest shape. Place on the tray.

4. Bake the Baklava: Pour 250 grams of melted butter over the arranged baklava and bake in a preheated oven at 170°C (338°F) for 45–55 minutes or until golden brown.

5. Prepare the Syrup: While the baklava bakes, prepare the syrup. Combine water, sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan. Cook on low heat until the sugar dissolves and the syrup thickens. To check the consistency, lift a spoonful of syrup—if the last drops fall slowly, it’s ready. Remove from heat.

6. Add the Syrup: Once the baklava is baked, pour half of the hot syrup over the hot baklava and let it absorb. Once absorbed, pour the remaining syrup evenly.

7. Cool and Serve: Allow the baklava to cool completely before serving. Your homemade baklava with different shapes is now ready. Enjoy!

Bon appétit!