The Sweetest Delight and the National Dessert of Turkey: Baklava

Baklava is a sweet, rich pastry with layers of phyllo dough, filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey. It is a popular dessert in many countries in the Middle East and the Balkans and Turkey's national dessert.

The traditional recipe for baklava calls for thin layers of phyllo dough that are layered with a filling of chopped nuts, such as pistachios, almonds, or walnuts. The pastry is then baked and soaked in a syrup made of sugar, water, and sometimes lemon juice or rosewater. Other variations may include using honey or other sweeteners instead of syrup and adding spices such as cinnamon or cardamom to the filling or syrup.

Baklava is often served as a sweet treat after a meal or as a dessert on special occasions such as weddings and holidays. It is typically cut into small diamond or triangular shapes and can be garnished with chopped nuts or a sprinkle of powdered sugar before serving.