Get ready to indulge in a delightful treat with this tantalizing recipe for Lemon-Pistachio Baklava, brought to you exclusively from lovewithrecipes.com. 🍋🥜 Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth, this fusion of flavors from the Mediterranean and Southwest Asia will leave you craving for more. Whether you’re planning a cozy night in or hosting a gathering with friends and family, these luscious bars are sure to impress with their irresistible taste and elegant presentation.
Lemon-Pistachio Baklava Recipe
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Prep Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Yield: 48 bars
Category: Bar Cookie
Keywords: Dessert, Cookie & Brownie, Fruit, Nuts, Turkish, Southwest Asia (Middle East), Asian, European, Weeknight, < 4 Hours
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 1 cup | Sugar |
| 1/2 cup | Water |
| 3/4 cup | Honey |
| 1 1/2 | Lemons, rind of |
| 1 | Lemon juice |
| 1/2 tsp | Vanilla extract |
| 2 cups | Pistachios |
| 1/4 cup | Sugar |
| 2 | Lemons, rind of |
| 1 cup | Unsalted butter |
| 24 | Phyllo dough sheets |
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Syrup:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, water, honey, lemon rind, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Reduce the heat to medium or medium-low and gently boil for about 5 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
- Allow the syrup to cool. (It will thicken further as it cools.)
-
Prepare the Filling:
- Place half of the pistachios in a food processor and process until finely chopped. Repeat with the remaining pistachios.
- In a medium bowl, combine the finely chopped pistachios with sugar and lemon rind.
-
Prepare the Butter:
- Heat the unsalted butter in a microwave-safe measuring cup in the microwave on high for 40 to 60 seconds, or until melted.
- Skim and discard any foam from the top of the melted butter.
- Pour the clear butter into a small cup, discarding any remaining milky substance at the bottom.
-
Assemble the Baklava:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Butter a 13×9-inch baking pan.
- Unroll the phyllo dough onto a cutting board and trim it to fit the size of the pan (13×9 inches).
- Cover the phyllo dough with a large dry towel to prevent it from drying out.
- Lay one sheet of phyllo dough in the bottom of the prepared pan and brush it with melted butter. Repeat this process with 12 phyllo sheets.
- Evenly sprinkle the filling mixture over the layered phyllo sheets.
- Top with the remaining 12 phyllo sheets, brushing each layer with melted butter.
- Using a sharp knife, cut the baklava crosswise into 1 1/2-inch strips, cutting all the way to the bottom. Then, cut diagonally to create diamond shapes or cut into squares.
-
Bake and Serve:
- Bake the baklava in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until it is slightly puffed and light golden brown.
- Once baked, transfer the baklava to a wire rack and immediately pour the cooled syrup over it.
- Allow the baklava to cool completely before serving.
-
Tips:
- Look for shelled pistachios that are not roasted and salted for a brighter green color and fresher flavor.
With its flaky layers of phyllo pastry, crunchy pistachios, and a burst of citrusy lemon flavor, this Lemon-Pistachio Baklava is a true delight for the senses. Each bite is a harmonious blend of sweetness and nuttiness that will leave you craving for more. So go ahead, whip up a batch of these heavenly bars and treat yourself to a taste of Mediterranean bliss! Enjoy! 🍋🥜✨
