Walnut and Orange Blossom Baklava

Tatlı yiyelim, tatlı konuşalım or ‘Let’s eat sweet and talk sweet’ has to be my favourite Turkish expression. It’s definitely the perfect way to describe having a slice or two of sticky, sweet, nutty Walnut and Orange Blossom Baklava with a strong Turkish coffee and a good gossip with friends.

Tomorrow evening will mark the end of the long month of Ramadan, with the celebrations of Eid-al-Fitr. After the long period of fasting, this is usually a night of family and feasting for Muslims around the world. In Cyprus and Turkey, Eid-al-Fitr is more commonly known as Şeker Bayramı – the ‘Sugar Feast’. 

It’s customary on this day for the neighbourhood children to go door to door, wishing everybody a Happy Bayram. In return, they are given small sweets and toys, not unlike Halloween, though without the ghouls and ghosts.

As with any feast day, the sharing of sweets is not limited to the kids. Neighbours, friends and even people passing on the street are all encouraged to sample from huge trays of baklava and lokum (Turkish Delight), while people gather, talk and eat long into the night.

This is the busiest day of the year for the many Baklavari (Baklava bakeries) across Turkey and Cyprus, with long queues of people ordering boxes of baklava by the kilo. However, baklava is simple enough to make at home, and I think tastes even better when it’s fresh.

The most expensive baklava is made mostly of pistachios, from the famous region of Gaziantep. In most of the rest of the world, pistachios are quite a luxury item these days, so I make my baklava with a mixture of walnuts and almonds, topped with just enough pistachio to give them a beautiful colour.

Scent can trigger the most incredible memories. For me, orange blossom will always transport me directly to beautiful Cyprus. I have so spent so many wonderful nights sitting in Cypriot gardens under the stars, while the perfume of orange blossom and night jasmine drifts languidly through the humid air.

I like to load my baklava up with plenty of orange blossom water, though you can flavour it however you like, rose water or lemon are both delicious.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Pour the syrup over the baklava as soon as it comes out of the oven. The hardest part is waiting for it to cool down!

Topped with a little pistachio, baklava is perfect for an after dinner treat.

WALNUT AND ORANGE BLOSSOM BAKLAVA Recipe

Walnut and Orange Blossom Baklava

Jay Wadams

This delicious Orange Blossom and Walnut Baklava is a glorious combination of syrup-soaked layers of flaky filo pastry, delicate orange blossom and cinnamon-spiced nuts.
Perfect served with a cup of strong Turkish coffee.

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5 from 3 votes

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Cooling Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 50 minutes mins

Serves 26 pieces

Ingredients

 

for the syrup:

• ▢ 250 g sugar
• ▢ 2 Tbsp lemon juice
• ▢ 2 strips lemon peel
• ▢ 1 Tbsp orange blossom water

for the filling:

• ▢ 200 g walnuts
• ▢ 200 g almonds
• ▢ 2 tsp cinnamon
• ▢ zest of 1 orange or 1 lemon
• ▢ pinch of salt

for the pastry:

• ▢ 150 g butter, melted
• ▢ 250 g filo pastry, defrosted if frozen approx 24-30 sheets

to decorate:

• ▢ 2 Tbsp pistachios, finely chopped

Instructions

 

• To make the syrup, heat the sugar, lemon juice, lemon peel and 125ml water in a small saucepan, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Increase the heat and bring the mixture to a boil, then turn the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Remove from the heat, discard the peel, stir in the orange blossom water and set aside.Heat the oven to 180°C / 350°F / Gas 4. Brush the base and sides of a 20x30cm ovenproof dish with melted butter, and remove the filo pastry from the fridge.
• In the bowl of a food processor, pulse the walnuts to fine crumbs. Don’t leave the food processor running or else you will end up with walnut butter! Tip the walnuts into a mixing bowl and repeat with the almonds. Pour the almonds into the bowl, stir through the cinnamon, orange zest, salt and 2 Tbsp of the melted butter.
• Lay the filo pastry on a large chopping board, place the baking dish on top and trip the filo to fit (see note). Wrap the trimmings tightly in clingfilm and return to the refrigerator and cover the remainder with a clean, damp cloth. Place one sheet of filo into the bottom of the baking dish, brush well with butter, then place another sheet on top. Repeat with 6 more sheets, buttering between each one.
• Spread half of the nut mixture evenly over the pastry then cover with another filo sheet. Press down on the pastry gently, then brush with butter. Repeat with 7 more sheets, buttering between each. Spread over the remaining nut mixture, top with a sheet of filo, pressing down gently, then brush with butter. Repeat with all remaining sheets, buttering between each. If there is any leftover butter, pour it over the top of the last sheet.
• Chill for 10 minutes, then use a small, sharp knife to cut the baklava down to halfway through in a diamond pattern. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until golden brown. In the last 5 minutes of baking time, reheat the syrup (it will have thickened).
• When the baklava has cooked, remove from the oven and immediately pour over the syrup. Take your time, allowing the syrup to soak and cover every part of the baklava. Allow to cool 5 minutes, then decorate with chopped pistachios. Allow to cool completely, at least 2 hours – overnight before slicing and serving. Do not refrigerate, store at room temperature.

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Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 224kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 124mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 12g

Tried this recipe?Leave a review or a star rating and let me know how it was! Use the hashtag #daysofjay on Instagram so I can see your delicious creations.

Course | Baking

Cuisine | Cypriot

Ⓒ | Jay Wadams