How Long Is Baklava Good For? How To Make It Last 2 Weeks!

Last Updated on October 9, 2022

How long is baklava good for? Today, we answer this age-old question in depth. And, we’ve even developed a delicious Greek baklava recipe too!

Because baklava is such a laborsome dessert to make, most people first want to know how long is baklava good for. If it only lasts a day, it isn’t really worth the effort.

So, we have done some digging and experimenting. Finally, we’ve developed the best way to store baklava and make it last a couple of weeks! So, keep reading to learn our expert secrets for making and storing baklava.

Jump to Recipe

What Is Baklava?

Baklava is a traditional Mediterranean dessert that is most commonly found in Turkey Greece, and Lebanon. However, many different cuisines have their own version of it. This dessert surprisingly dates back all the way to the Ottoman Empire!

Traditional Turkish baklava is made with phyllo pastry, pistachios, and a sweet simple syrup with some honey. Between the layers of phyllo and nuts, a generous amount of butter is added for a golden brown color, crisp texture, and rich flavor.

The Greek version is made with walnuts and cinnamon. And the Lebanese version has added rose water for a fruitier flavor.

This sweet treat is exceptionally popular and for a good reason. It’s packed with sweet and nutty flavors and has a crisp chewy texture.

How long is baklava good for?

When stored correctly, baklava can easily last up to 2 weeks. This is because it has a very high sugar concentration. And, as you may know, sugar is a preservative. The more sugar an item contains, the longer it can last if stored properly.

And, baklava can even be frozen!

How to store baklava?

You have to store baklava in an airtight container. If you don’t, it exposes the perishable nuts and butter mixture to harmful bacteria.

Then, you can store this treat inside a fridge or at room temperature. We recommend the fridge for long-term storage. It will reduce the number of bacteria that the baklava comes into contact with. And, it keeps the item at a stable temperature.

If you do store baklava at room temperature, store it in a cool, dark, and dry place. This will help it keep longer.

What You Will Need To Make Baklava

Ingredients for the crust

  • 1 package (16 ounces) of phyllo pastry
  • 3/4 pounds walnuts, chopped
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup salted butter, melted
  • 3/4 cup granulated white sugar
  • 3/4 cup water, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup pure or raw honey

Equipment

  • 9×13-inch baking pan
  • Knife
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Mixing bowls
  • Damp towel
  • Pastry brush
  • Medium saucepan

Step By Step Instructions

Step 1: Roll and shape phyllo pastry

Preheat your oven to 360ºF (180ºC). Then, brush your baking pan with butter, including the sides.

Then, roll out the phyllo pastry onto a flat surface. Cut the entire stack in half so that it fits into the pan. Cover it with a damp cloth to prevent the sheets from drying out.

Step 2: Make the cinnamon nut mixture

Chop your walnuts very finely and mix them with cinnamon. Make sure that all the nuts are covered well.

Step 3: Assemble the baklava

To start, add 2 layers of phyllo into your pan. Brush it with the melted butter and sprinkle some cinnamon nuts over it. Add another 2 layers of phyllo, brush with butter again, and top with cinnamon nuts.

Keep repeating this process until you have 4 stacks of phyllo pastry (used 8 layers in total).

Step 4: Bake the baklava

Next, cut the baklava sheet into diamonds or squares. Make sure to cut them all the way through inside the pan.

Then, bake your Greek baklava for about 50 minutes, or until it’s golden brown and crispy.

Step 5: Make the sugar syrup

While the baklava is baking, combine the sugar and water in a saucepan. Bring them to a simmer and allow the sugar to dissolve. Then, add the honey and vanilla and continue simmering the mixture for another 20 minutes.

Step 6: Finish the baklava

Once your baklava is baked, remove it from the oven and gently pour over the sugar syrup. Then, allow the baklava to rest for at least 1 hour before serving.

What is traditional baklava made of

Expert Tips And Tricks

  • You can substitute the walnuts and cinnamon with pistachios. Make sure they are unsalted and unflavored. It will save you a ton of time to buy pre-shelled pistachios. But, these are a little more expensive.
  • Ultimately, the baklava should only have 8 sheets of phyllo pastry (which makes about 4 layers in total). If you do more, you should adjust the baking times.
  • Baklava should always rest. This helps the flavors develop as well as the unique sticky syrupy texture. It also gives the phyllo dough time to absorb the sweet sugar syrup. If you serve it too soon, you will just have a soggy mess on your hands.
  • Always rest the baklava uncovered. If you wrap or close it up, the steam will cause the phyllo pastry to become soggy.

Preparations Times And Servings

Preparation TimesBaking TimesServings
20 minutes50 minutes18 pieces

Wrapping Things Up

How long is baklava good for? Luckily, you will run out of baklava before ever reaching the 2-week expiry mark! This sweet treat is unbelievably good and very easy to make.

If you want to make more recipes like these, have a look at our site for more. We can almost guarantee you’ll fall in love with more than a few!

FAQs

How long does baklava have to sit?

Baklava has to sit for at least 1 hour before you cut and serve this sweet treat. If you don't it won't have its signature crisp texture and delicious blend of flavors.

What is traditional baklava made of?

The most well-known baklava is made with phyllo pastry, crushed pistachios, butter, and lemon-flavored simple syrup. This is the composition for traditional Turkish baklava, which is the most common. However, in a different region, "traditional" may look differently.

What is the difference between Turkish and Greek baklava?

Turkish baklava is made with pistachio nuts. Greek baklava is made with walnuts and cinnamon instead. The rest of the ingredients and method is exactly the same.

What is the difference between Greek baklava and Lebanese baklava?

Lebanese baklava commonly includes rose syrup and lemon in the recipe. Something that Greek baklava rarely (if ever) does. Lebanese baklava tends to also have a less sweet and lighter flavor.

How Long Is Baklava Good For

How Long Is Baklava Good For? How To Make It Last 2 Weeks!

dessertrecipes
How long is baklava good for? Today, we answer this age-old question in depth. And, we've even developed a delicious Greek baklava recipe too! Because baklava is such a laborsome dessert to make, most people first want to know how long is baklava good for. If it only lasts a day, it isn't really worth the effort. So, we have done some digging and experimenting. Finally, we've developed the best way to store baklava and make it last a couple of weeks! So, keep reading to learn our expert secrets for making and storing baklava.
Prep Time 20 mins
Baking Time 50 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 18 pieces

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch baking pan
  • Knife
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Mixing bowls
  • Damp towel
  • Pastry brush
  • Medium saucepan

Ingredients
  

  • 1 package (16 ounces) of phyllo pastry
  • 3/4 pounds walnuts, chopped
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup salted butter, melted
  • 3/4 cup granulated white sugar
  • 3/4 cup water, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup pure or raw honey

Instructions
 

  • Roll and shape phyllo pastry
    Preheat your oven to 360ºF (180ºC). Then, brush your baking pan with butter, including the sides.
    Then, roll out the phyllo pastry onto a flat surface. Cut the entire stack in half so that it fits into the pan. Cover it with a damp cloth to prevent the sheets from drying out.
    1 package (16 ounces) of phyllo pastry
  • Make the cinnamon nut mixture
    Chop your walnuts very finely and mix them with cinnamon. Make sure that all the nuts are covered well.
    3/4 pounds walnuts, chopped, 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Assemble the baklava
    To start, add 2 layers of phyllo into your pan. Brush it with the melted butter and sprinkle some cinnamon nuts over it. Add another 2 layers of phyllo, brush with butter again, and top with cinnamon nuts.
    Keep repeating this process until you have 4 stacks of phyllo pastry (used 8 layers in total).
    1 package (16 ounces) of phyllo pastry, 3/4 pounds walnuts, chopped, 1 cup salted butter, melted, 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Bake the baklava
    Next, cut the baklava sheet into diamonds or squares. Make sure to cut them all the way through inside the pan.
    Then, bake your Greek baklava for about 50 minutes, or until it's golden brown and crispy.
  • Make the sugar syrup
    While the baklava is baking, combine the sugar and water in a saucepan. Bring them to a simmer and allow the sugar to dissolve. Then, add the honey and vanilla and continue simmering the mixture for another 20 minutes.
    3/4 cup water, room temperature, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1/2 cup pure or raw honey, 3/4 cup granulated white sugar
  • Finish the baklava
    Once your baklava is baked, remove it from the oven and gently pour over the sugar syrup. Then, allow the baklava to rest for at least 1 hour before serving.

Notes

You can substitute the walnuts and cinnamon with pistachios. Make sure they are unsalted and unflavored. It will save you a ton of time to buy pre-shelled pistachios. But, these are a little more expensive.
Ultimately, the baklava should only have 8 sheets of phyllo pastry (which makes about 4 layers in total). If you do more, you should adjust the baking times.
Baklava should always rest. This helps the flavors develop as well as the unique sticky syrupy texture. It also gives the phyllo dough time to absorb the sweet sugar syrup. If you serve it too soon, you will just have a soggy mess on your hands.
Always rest the baklava uncovered. If you wrap or close it up, the steam will cause the phyllo pastry to become soggy.
Keyword How long does baklava have to sit?, how long is baklava good for, What is the difference between Greek baklava and Lebanese baklava?, What is the difference between Turkish and Greek baklava?, What is traditional baklava made of?

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