1 Hour 30 Minutes (30 min prep, 1 hour bake) | Medium | SERVES 12 Squares (Standard 9×9-inch pan)
Nutrition per serving:
290 Cals, 9g Protein, 30g Carbs, 17g Fat, 18g Sugar
INGREDIENTS
The Baklava
- 1 package phyllo dough (about 16 oz, thawed if frozen)
- 1 ½ cups mixed nuts (pistachios, walnuts, and almonds work wonderfully)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground cardamom (optional, for warmth)
- ¾ cup melted vegan butter (or neutral oil, like coconut oil)
The Syrup
- ¾ cup water
- 1 cup sugar (or coconut sugar for a deeper flavor)
- ½ cup maple syrup (or agave syrup)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 small lemon, juiced
- 1 tsp orange blossom water or rosewater (optional, for aromatic depth)
Instructions
Prepare the Nut Filling
Finely chop the nuts (or pulse them in a food processor) and mix them with cinnamon and cardamom. Set aside.
Assemble the Baklava and Bake
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish with a bit of the melted vegan butter.
- Lay one sheet of phyllo dough in the dish and brush with melted vegan butter. Repeat this process with 8-10 layers, brushing each with butter.
- Spread a thin layer of the nut mixture (about ⅓ cup).
- Add another 5-7 layers of phyllo, buttering each sheet, and top with another layer of nuts. Repeat until you’ve used up the nuts, finishing with at least 10 layers of phyllo on top.
- Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the assembled baklava into diamond or square shapes.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes or until the top is golden and crispy.
Make the Syrup
- While the baklava bakes, combine water, sugar, maple syrup, lemon juice, and any flavorings (vanilla, rosewater, or orange blossom water) in a saucepan.
- Bring to a gentle boil and simmer for 8-10 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Combine and Cool
- Once the baklava is out of the oven, immediately pour the syrup evenly over the hot pastry. Ensure every section gets a generous coating.
- Let it cool completely (about 2 hours) to allow the syrup to soak in.
- Garnish with a sprinkle of finely chopped pistachios if desired.
Layer upon layer of crisp, golden phyllo dough cradling a symphony of finely chopped nuts and warm, spiced syrup. This Vegan Baklava is an indulgent Middle Eastern dessert transformed for plant-based foodies, offering a perfectly flaky texture, rich nuttiness, and an irresistibly sticky sweetness. A luxurious treat that feels like a hug in every bite.
