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History
Wikipedia says the word baklava comes from Ottoman Turkish, that its earliest known mention is a poem by the 15th-century mystic Kaygusuz Abdal, and that the filo layers are separated by melted butter with walnuts or pistachios between them. Bosnian cuisine lists baklava among sweets inspired by the Middle East. Nanina Kuhinja fills its baklava with walnuts and prunes in a syrup it calls agda, and Park Princeva lists baklava among its desserts.
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Tours, tastings and classes that match this page, bookable on GetYourGuide.
Common allergens: Gluten, Nuts, Dairy
Make it at home
Ingredients
- 500g phyllo pastry
- 400g walnuts, finely chopped
- 250g unsalted butter, melted
- 100g sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 400ml water
- 300g sugar (for syrup)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 lemon, juiced
Method
- Heat oven to 180 C; brush a baking pan with butter.
- Mix walnuts with sugar and cinnamon.
- Layer 6 sheets of phyllo, brushing each with butter.
- Sprinkle a layer of walnut mixture; repeat layers (2 phyllo, walnut) until walnut and phyllo are used.
- Top with 6 final phyllo sheets, all buttered.
- Score the top into diamond shapes with a sharp knife (cut through to the bottom).
- Bake 40 minutes until deeply golden.
- Meanwhile bring water, sugar, honey and lemon juice to a simmer for 10 minutes.
- Pour hot syrup over the baklava as it comes out of the oven.
- Rest 4 hours before serving so the syrup soaks in.
Tip from the editors. Make the day before; baklava improves overnight as the syrup distributes evenly.
Where to eat baklava
Baklava in Sarajevo
Nanina Kuhinja ★ 4.4
Nanina Kuhinja, Grandmother's Kitchen, is an authentic Bosnian restaurant at Kundurdziluk 35 serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner from 8:00 to 23:00.
OrderPasta filled with veal in a sour cream, yogurt and garlic sauce, a very popular dish.
TipAsk for the specialty of the day at lunch, and flag gluten free, vegan, halal or lactose free needs in the reservation form.
Kibe Mahala ★ 4.7
Kibe Mahala at Vrbanjusa 106 serves Bosnian national dishes, among them spit-roasted lamb, with wines from Bosnia and Herzegovina and views over Sarajevo.
TipOpen Monday to Saturday from 11:00 to 23:00; two guitarists play music and song at the guests' request.
Park Princeva ★ 4.1
Park Princeva at Iza Hrida 7 is a restaurant on a rise above Sarajevo serving Bosnian dishes and steaks, with desserts from baklava to mousse cakes.
TipReserve by phone on +387 61 222 708 or by WhatsApp; the restaurant also hosts weddings, business events and private celebrations.
More cities are in research. Want baklava covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.