Baklava has always been a sweet way for Yumna Jawad, the entrepreneur, social media influencer, and recipe developer behind Feel Good Foodie, to celebrate important moments with her loved ones. Her mother’s tradition of making baklava during Ramadan and especially for Eid al-Fitr left a lasting impression on her. The ultimate sign of celebration in her family, the fragrant layers of phyllo dough brushed with butter, sugared nuts, and syrup were a labor of love.
However, the time-consuming process of making traditional baklava led Jawad to discover a faster, easier method that still tastes just as delicious. Instead of layering countless sheets of phyllo with butter, she divides the sheets into two layers with the nuts and sugar mixture in the middle. By cutting the layers and pouring clarified butter or ghee on top before baking, she reduces the prep time from an hour to just 15 minutes.
To ensure crispy baklava, Jawad emphasizes the importance of using clarified butter instead of regular melted butter. This simple switch prevents the layers from becoming soggy, resulting in a beautifully browned and flaky dessert. And when it comes to cutting the baklava into diamonds, she recommends making four lengthwise cuts first and then eight crosswise cuts on the diagonal for perfectly sliced pieces.
Jawad’s innovative approach to making baklava not only saves time but also yields delicious results. From her streamlined recipe to her tips for achieving the perfect texture, she continues to inspire with her creative culinary techniques. In a world where traditional recipes meet modern methods, Yumna Jawad’s innovative take on baklava highlights the beauty of blending heritage with innovation in the kitchen.
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.