Pistachio baklava is a beloved Turkish dessert known for its delicate layers of pastry, rich pistachio filling, and sweet syrup (şerbet). This recipe will guide you through the process of making traditional pistachio baklava at home, ensuring a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Whether you’re preparing it for a special occasion or simply indulging in a sweet treat, this recipe is a must-try for dessert lovers.
Ingredients For the Dough Pistachio Baklava
4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
Cornstarch (for rolling out the dough)
For the Filling Pistachio Baklava
2 cups ground pistachios
1 cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Syrup (Şerbet):
2 cups sugar
1 cup water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions for Pistachio Baklava
1. Prepare the Dough:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.
Add water, milk, oil, and vinegar, and knead the mixture until you have a smooth dough.
Divide the dough into small balls, cover them, and let them rest for 30 minutes.
On a floured surface, roll out each dough ball using cornstarch until it’s paper-thin. Repeat this for all the dough balls.
2. Make the Syrup:
In a saucepan, combine sugar and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
Add lemon juice and stir well. Remove from heat and allow the syrup to cool to room temperature.
3. Assemble the Baklava:
* Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush a large baking dish with melted butter.
* Place one sheet of phyllo dough in the dish and brush with butter. Repeat until you have layered 10 sheets.
* Sprinkle a generous layer of ground pistachios over the dough.
* Continue layering dough and pistachios, brushing each layer of dough with butter, until all the pistachios are used. Top with another 10 layers of dough.
* Cut the assembled baklava into diamond or square shapes using a sharp knife.
* Pour the remaining melted butter over the baklava, ensuring it seeps into the cuts.
4. Bake The Pistachio Baklava
Bake the baklava in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
5. Add the Syrup:
Once the baklava is baked, immediately pour the cooled syrup evenly over the hot baklava.
Allow the baklava to absorb the syrup and cool completely before serving.
Pistachio baklava is a classic dessert that captures the essence of Turkish cuisine. This recipe ensures a perfect balance of flaky pastry, rich pistachio filling, and sweet syrup, making it a delightful treat for any occasion. Serve it with Turkish tea or coffee for an authentic experience.
