Turkish Baklava (Baklava)

Turkish Baklava (Baklava)

Baklava is a traditional and authentic Turkish desert. It is especially being made on religious holidays to serve the guests.

1 lb Phyllo Dough, thawed
250 gr butter, melted
1 ½ cup walnuts/pistachios (coarsely ground)
Syrup:

1 ¼ -1 1/3 cup water
1 ½ -1 ¾ cup sugar
1 tsp lemon juice

For the syrup; boil the sugar and water until the sugar is melted. Then stir in lemon juice. Simmer for about 2-3 minutes and let it cool.

Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C). Grease the bottom and sides of a 9x14 inch Pyrex dish/tray. Unroll Phyllo dough. Cover Phyllo Dough Sheets with a dampened cloth to keep from drying out as you work. Place two sheets of dough in the Pyrex dish/tray and butter their top thoroughly. Repeat this process until you have 14 layered sheets. Then sprinkle and spread evenly half of the walnuts/pistachios on top. Continue to add two sheets of dough and butter brushing as you go for another 14 sheets. Then spread the remaining nuts and layer the last 12 sheets with 2 sheets of dough at a time and buttering as you did before. At the end, butter the top.
Dip a sharp knife into hot water and cut into diamond or square shapes all the way to the bottom of the pan. You may cut into 4 long rows the make diagonal cuts.
Bake for about 25 minutes at 375 F (190 C), then turn down to 325 F (165 C) and bake for additional 30 minutes until baklava is golden and crisp.
Remove baklava from oven and again dip the knife in hot water and cut the baklava all the way down from the same cut lines. Then immediately spoon syrup evenly along the cut lines. Let it cool at least 3-4 hours before serving.
Sprinkle some pistachios or walnuts on top before serving. Leave it uncovered as it gets soggy if it is wrapped up.