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Greek Lemon Honey Baklava with Walnuts (Vegetarian)

Discover this simple and delicious vegetarian Greek Lemon Honey Baklava recipe that combines the rich flavors of walnuts, lemon zest, and honey in a flaky phyllo pastry. Ideal for impressing guests or satisfying your sweet tooth, this easy-to-make dessert is perfect for any occasion.

🕒 Prep: 20 minutes Cook: 35 minutes Total: 55 minutes
🍽 Servings: 4 servings (16 pieces)
🔥 Difficulty: Easy
🌎 Cuisine: Greek

Allergens

Contains: Walnuts, Wheat. May contain traces of dairy due to shared equipment in commercial kitchens.

Ingredients

  • 4.5 cups phyllo dough sheets (20 sheets) 1 cup unsalted butter, melted 1.5 cups chopped walnuts 1 cup granulated sugar 3 tbsp grated lemon zest 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice 1 cup honey 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp ground cloves

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter or non stick spray.
  2. Unroll the phyllo dough sheets and cover them with a damp cloth to prevent drying out.
  3. Place two sheets of phyllo in the prepared baking dish, brushing gently with melted butter. Repeat until 8 sheets have been used.
  4. Sprinkle 1/2 cup chopped walnuts evenly over the buttered phyllo layers.
  5. Continue layering and buttering phyllo sheets until all 20 sheets are used, placing 3 more nut layers in between.
  6. Using a sharp knife, cut the baklava into 16 squares or diamond shapes.
  7. Bake for 30 35 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
  8. While baking, prepare the honey syrup by combining sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, honey, cinnamon, and cloves in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved and set aside.
  9. Remove baklava from the oven and pour the hot honey syrup evenly over the warm dessert. Let it sit for 1 hour to absorb the flavors.

Chef’s Insight

Use high-quality phyllo dough for a flakier texture and butter that has a mild flavor to let the ingredients shine through.

Notes

Use a sharp knife to cut the baklava for cleaner edges and easier absorption of syrup.

Cultural or Historical Background

Baklava is a traditional Greek dessert with roots dating back to the Byzantine Empire, where it was enjoyed by emperors and nobility. It has since spread across the Middle East and Mediterranean region, with each culture adding its own twist on this sweet treat.