Recipe

Vişneli Baklava with a Twist

Cherry Delight Baklava: A Sweet and Tangy Turkish Treat

4.5 out of 5

Indulge in the delightful flavors of Turkish cuisine with this Vişneli Baklava recipe. This traditional dessert is given a twist by adding juicy cherries, creating a perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess.

Pastry› Sweet Pastry› Vişneli baklava

Asian cuisine› Arab cuisine› Turkish cuisine

Preparation time

30 minutes

Cooking time

30-35 minutes

Total time

1 hour 5 minutes

Yields

8 servings

Preparation difficulty

Medium

Suitable for

Vegetarian, Dairy-free (if using dairy-free margarine instead of butter), Vegan (if using vegan phyllo pastry and dairy-free margarine)

Allergens

Nuts, Gluten (from the phyllo pastry)

Not suitable for

Gluten-free (due to the use of phyllo pastry), Nut-free (due to the nut filling)

Ingredients

1 package of phyllo pastry sheets (375g / 13.2oz) 1 package of phyllo pastry sheets (375g / 13.2oz)
250g (9oz) unsalted butter, melted 250g (9oz) unsalted butter, melted
200g (7oz) mixed nuts (such as walnuts, pistachios, and almonds), finely chopped 200g (7oz) mixed nuts (such as walnuts, pistachios, and almonds), finely chopped
100g (3.5oz) cherries, pitted and halved 100g (3.5oz) cherries, pitted and halved
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup (240ml) water 1 cup (240ml) water
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Nutrition

Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
Fat: 22g (Saturated Fat: 8g)
Carbohydrates: 35g (Sugars: 20g)
Protein: 5g
Fiber: 3g
Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1.
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2.
In a bowl, combine the chopped nuts and ground cinnamon. Set aside.
3.
Grease a baking dish with melted butter.
4.
Layer half of the phyllo pastry sheets in the baking dish, brushing each sheet with melted butter.
5.
Sprinkle half of the nut mixture evenly over the phyllo pastry.
6.
Layer the remaining phyllo pastry sheets on top, again brushing each sheet with melted butter.
7.
Spread the remaining nut mixture evenly over the phyllo pastry.
8.
Arrange the cherry halves on top of the nut mixture.
9.
Cut the baklava into diamond or square shapes using a sharp knife.
10.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown.
11.
While the baklava is baking, prepare the syrup by combining water, sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla extract in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
12.
Once the baklava is baked, remove it from the oven and immediately pour the hot syrup over it.
13.
Allow the baklava to cool completely and absorb the syrup before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

Phyllo pastry — Ensure that the phyllo pastry sheets are thawed according to the package instructions before using. Keep them covered with a damp cloth to prevent them from drying out.
Cherries — Use fresh cherries when they are in season for the best flavor. If fresh cherries are not available, you can use frozen cherries that have been thawed and drained.

Tips & Tricks

To achieve a crispy baklava, make sure to brush each layer of phyllo pastry with melted butter generously.
Allow the baklava to cool completely before cutting into it, as this will help it hold its shape better.
For an extra touch of indulgence, serve the baklava with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Serving advice

Serve the Vişneli Baklava at room temperature or slightly warmed. Garnish with a sprinkle of crushed pistachios or a dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant presentation.

Presentation advice

Arrange the diamond or square-shaped baklava pieces on a serving platter, allowing the layers and cherries to be visible. Drizzle any remaining syrup over the top for a glossy finish.