Baklava with Parwan walnuts and honey

The classic baklava is a beloved pastry, and with delicious walnuts from Afghanistan, it is the perfect dessert. Our Parwan walnuts have a rich, almost buttery taste without any bitterness. They originate from the Parwan province, which is located in central Afghanistan. You can buy the walnuts here Walnuts, Parwan from Afghanistan

This delicious recipe was created by Katrine Klinken (@katrineklinken on Instagram) and the photo was taken by Camilla Stephan (@camillastephan on Instagram).

Recipe:

Makes 10-12 pieces

Ingredients:

• 1 roll of filo pastry (approx. 450 g)
• 150 g butter, melted
• 500 g Parwan walnuts
• 2 tbsp. ground cinnamon
• 1.5 dl liquid honey (approx. 210 g)

For the honey syrup:

• 2.5 dl liquid honey (approx. 250 g)
• 1/2 lemon
• 1 orange
• A pinch of ground allspice

Instructions:

• Brush an ovenproof dish with butter. Place a sheet of filo pastry in the dish and brush with a little butter. Place another sheet of filo pastry on top and brush again with a little butter. Create 5-6 layers.
• Chop the walnuts medium-fine and mix them with the cinnamon. Distribute 1/3 over the filo layers. Drizzle with 2-3 tbsp. liquid honey.
• Place a layer of filo pastry, brush with a little butter, sprinkle half of the remaining walnut mixture over it, and drizzle with 2-3 tbsp. liquid honey. Repeat once more.
• Finish with 5-6 layers of filo pastry, each brushed with butter.

• Pour the rest of the butter on top of the cake.

• Place the cake in the refrigerator until the butter has solidified, making it easier to cut. Cut the baklava into approx. 12 pieces with a sharp knife. It is important to cut all the way to the bottom and through all the layers.

• Bake the baklava in an oven at 175 degrees for approx. 45 minutes.

• Stir together a syrup of honey, a little orange and lemon zest, a pinch of allspice, and the juice of the lemon and orange. Let the syrup sit while the cake bakes.

• Strain the honey syrup over the baklava once it has cooled slightly to about 40 degrees. Let the baklava soak for at least 2 hours.

• Enjoy!

The baklava is perfect with black tea or coffee, or as a dessert with vanilla ice cream or an orange salad.