Traditional Walnut Baklava from Alanya Cuisine

🧾 Ingredients (Serves 30–35)

For the Dough

• 1 glass water
• 1 tea glass milk
• 1 egg
• 1 tea glass vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Flour as needed

For Rolling the Dough

• 500 g flour
• 500 g starch

For the Filling

• 1 kg finely crushed walnuts

For the Topping

• 250 g butter
• 1 glass vegetable oil
• 1 package margarine

For the Syrup

• 2.5 kg sugar
• 3 liters water
• Juice of ½ lemon

For Garnishing

• Blanched almonds

👩‍🍳 Preparation

In a large bowl, combine water, milk, egg, vegetable oil, vinegar, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add flour and knead until a dough slightly firmer than earlobe consistency is obtained.

Divide the dough into small portions. Roll each piece into very thin sheets using a mixture of flour and starch.

Grease a medium-sized round baking tray with butter and place four sheets on the bottom. Sprinkle finely crushed walnuts over the fourth sheet. Continue layering dough sheets and walnuts until all sheets are used, creating approximately 30–40 layers.

Do not add walnuts between the last two sheets. Brush the top sheet with melted butter only. Cut the prepared baklava into diamond-shaped portions. If desired, place a blanched almond in the center of each piece for decoration.

🔥 Baking

Melt and heat the butter, vegetable oil, and margarine together. Pour the hot fat mixture evenly over the entire tray.

Bake in a preheated medium-temperature oven until the baklava turns golden brown. Traditionally, it may also be baked in a wood-fired oven.

For the syrup, combine water and sugar in a pot and bring to a boil. Add the lemon juice about 10 minutes before removing from the heat. Continue simmering until the syrup slightly thickens, then allow it to cool until warm.

Once the baked baklava has completely cooled, pour the warm syrup evenly over it.

Note: The syrup should be warm, while the baklava should be completely cold.

🍽️ Serving Suggestion

Allow the baklava to absorb the syrup fully before serving. It is traditionally enjoyed with Turkish tea or Turkish coffee.

🌾 Local Heritage

Homemade baklava is one of the most cherished desserts in Alanya, especially during religious holidays, weddings, and family celebrations. Known for its thin handmade layers, rich walnut filling, and traditional wood-fired baking method, it is an important part of Alanya’s culinary heritage. The tradition of preparing and baking baklava collectively in village and neighborhood ovens continues to this day.