Crescent and Star Baklava

Assalamu alaikum everyone! It has been a while since I last posted. I haven’t been active on here or on social media, for that I do apologize. I cannot promise I will be on much,  but I will try to come on when I can. I promised I would share this baklava with you so I finally got around to making it again and taking photos for you. Hope you enjoy this post, let me know in the comments below! 

This is a really simple baklava recipe, great for beginners. You can use any cookie cutter you want, but I chose to use a crescent moon and star. Perfect for Eid or Ramadan celebrations.

Use the cookie cutter in the centre of the baklava and then cut along like I did in the photo. I baked this in a spring form pan, but any 10 inch pan will do; the spring form pan makes it easy to remove and transfer to a serving platter.

You will need to make the syrup first; you will end up with a bit of leftover ( 1/2 cup worth approx.), which is fine, you can use it for your tea or coffee or future cakes that you will bake.

For the syrup you will need:

• 3 cups sugar
• 2 cups water
• squeeze of lemon juice

In a pot bring the sugar and water to a boil on medium heat. Allow to boil for 3- 4 minutes until sugar fully dissolves and turns into a simple syrup; it will be a thinner consistency of corn syrup. Squeeze the lemon juice in the syrup, and set aside to allow it to cool down.

Once your syrup has cooled down, you can start on the baklava.

For the baklava you will need:

• 1 pkg thawed filo dough
• 1/4 to 1 cup ground walnuts
• 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter
• ground pistachios for garnish

You can use as much ground walnuts as you like, it is a personal preference, however I don’t like to use much so I only use 1/4 cup, but if you like nuts add as much as you like.  Have all your ingredients ready, grease your pan and use parchment on the bottom of the pan if you like. I don’t usually but I do if I use my spring form pan.

The sheets of filo are bigger than the pan as you can see, that is fine, you will fold and layer each filo on top of each other. Brush each layer with butter. You can add ground walnuts or ground pistachios if you like on 2 layers or more, again it is your preference.

Take your cookie cutter and cut through in the center of the baklava and cut along to make slices. Pour over remaining melted butter. Bake at 350 for about 40 minutes, but you can check it at 35 minutes, it should be nice and golden brown.

Pour the syrup over the baklava and allow to rest for an hour before serving.

Garnish with ground pistachios if desired.

Easier than you thought right? Tag me on Instagram when you make it!