Honey Brushwood: A Simple Step-by-Step Recipe

Step 1 – Preparing the dough

Pour 125 ml of cold boiled water into a bowl for mixing the dough, add a pinch of salt and 1 egg (white and yolk).

Add 75 grams of melted butter.

Mix the ingredients thoroughly with a whisk until a homogeneous mass is formed and gradually add the pre-sifted flour.

Mix the dough. At this stage, the preparation is no different from any other type of dough—you can initially mix it with a whisk or fork, but at the final stage, you need to knead the dough thoroughly by hand, forming a dense yet elastic ball.

The finished dough needs to rest for 20-30 minutes. You can simply cover the dough with plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out and leave it at room temperature.

When the dough becomes even more elastic and soft, knead it again and divide it into 3 equal parts.

Roll each portion into the thinnest possible layer, as shown in the photo. The thinner the layers, the crispier and more delicious the хворост will be.

Before continuing to prepare the хворост (brushwood) in honey syrup, let the cakes dry. This can take up to 30 minutes if left to dry naturally, but you can speed up the process by using a hairdryer.

Roll each cake into a roll 3 cm wide. Wet the edge with water to prevent the roll from unrolling.

Cut the dough rolls into 2 cm wide pieces, placing the knife at an angle, as in the photo.

Please note that well-dried dough will not stick together when cutting.

Step 2 – Roasting the brushwood

Fry the cut dough rolls in well-heated vegetable oil until golden brown, using wooden skewers to help each roll open beautifully as it cooks.

Remove the finished baklava onto paper towels to remove excess oil.

Step 3 – Preparing the syrup

Place 300 grams of sugar and 100 ml of water in a saucepan. Place over low heat and heat until the sugar is completely dissolved.

Bring the syrup to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes.

Add 2 tablespoons of honey and a slice of lemon (or a teaspoon of lemon juice).

Bring the syrup to a boil again, simmer for 1 minute and remove from heat.

Stage No. 4 – final (dish presentation)

Place the brushwood on a baking sheet in one layer and pour hot syrup with honey over it.

Sprinkle the baklava with chopped nuts or sesame seeds.