Can You Freeze Baklava?
Sure you can, but it’s not as easy as freezing a pie. The most important thing is to freeze it in the pan so that the Baklava doesn’t stick to the sides.
Once frozen, take it out and place it on a baking sheet or tray. By doing so, you can easily remove it from your freezer when ready to serve.
My favorite thing to do! I’ve been doing this for many years, and I love it! It’s great for parties because it makes a lot and keeps well.
What is Inside a Baklava?
Baklava is a sweet pastry. It is made with filo (thin pastry) and ground walnuts, sugar, and water. Filo is available in most of the pastry stores.
There’s no limit to the types of flavors you can put in there. Some people like their Baklavas sweet, while others prefer them savory.
The filo dough is rolled into sheets, and then the sheets are stacked one on top of another. The layers are then baked to make them crispy and flaky.
Does Baklava Freeze Well?
Baklava freezes well because of the large amount of sugar and butter. The sugar acts as a cryoprotectant, which is what it does best!
It is best to freeze the Baklava immediately after baking. If frozen too long, the sugar will crystallize, and the Baklava may become hard.
Furthermore, the longer the Baklava sits in the freezer, the more likely it will get soggy.
How to Freeze Baklava?
You’ve probably heard about freezing Baklava in the past, but you might be wondering how to freeze Baklava in the simplest method. When you first try it, it may seem difficult, but it’s quite easy once you get the hang of it. Let’s take a look at how to freeze Baklava.
Process:
- Prepare the filling. In the case of Baklava, you’re going to prepare the filling, but you should also prepare the sugar syrup. First, melt the sugar and water in a medium-sized pot over low heat. Once the sugar has dissolved, turn the heat up to high and stir constantly. The mixture should reach boiling point once you reduce the heat to low and let it boil for one minute. Allow the mixture to cool completely.
- Make the pastry. Once your syrup of choice is cooled, you can proceed with making the pastry. For the pastry dough, place all the ingredients except the oil into a bowl and mix thoroughly. When you’re finished mixing, add the oil and knead the dough until it’s smooth. After the dough has been smoothened, cover the bowl and let it rest in a warm place for about 20 minutes.
- Roll out the pastry dough. Once the dough has rested for 20 minutes, roll it out to about 1/8″ thick. Use a large round cookie cutter to cut out as many circles as you need. Cut the circles so that they’re all slightly overlapping, as shown. Once you’ve cut the dough, fold each circle in half and then into quarters. You want to end up with 16 squares.
- Place the squares in the freezer. Once you’ve prepared all 16 squares, please place them in the freezer for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, transfer the squares to an airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.
- Bake the Baklava. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Take the frozen Baklava pieces out of the freezer and put them directly onto a parchment paper-lined sheet pan—Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
Serve the fresh Baklava hot. While the Baklava is still hot, drizzle some honey on top.
How Long Can You Freeze Baklava?
The general rule of thumb is to freeze Baklava within two weeks of making it. However, if you have leftover Baklava, try freezing it for up to six months.
If you do freeze the Baklava, remember to thaw it before serving. Thawing the Baklava takes time, so don’t expect to eat it immediately.
How Do You Defrost Baklava?
For those who have baked this delicious dessert, you know that it’s best to let it cool completely before slicing into it. Otherwise, you risk burning yourself and ruining the cake’s crisp exterior.
But what if you don’t have the luxury of time to let it cool? What if you want to take your delicious sweet treat to a potluck or a party, but you need to get it to the dessert table quickly?
Read on to learn how to defrost Baklava in a hurry.
Process:
- Place the entire Baklava mix in a large, shallow pan. The easiest way to defrost Baklava is to place it in a shallow pan and cover it with tin foil. Make sure the Baklava is completely covered with layers of foil.
- Set the oven’s timer for 15 minutes.
- Check the Baklava after 15 minutes. If the Baklava has not been completely defrosted, remove the foil and set the timer for another 5 to 10 minutes. Repeat this process until the Baklava is fully defrosted.
- Remove the Baklava from the oven. Once the Baklava appears to be completely defrosted, carefully lift it off the baking tray using tongs. If any pieces are stuck together, gently separate them by pulling at the edges. You may also use a knife to help you pull apart any stubborn bits.
- Serve the Baklava immediately.
As soon as Baklava is taken out of the oven, it will harden. To prevent this from happening, serve the Baklava warm.
Our Easy Baklava Recipe:
This easy recipe will help you create your own delicious homemade Baklava.
Ingredients:
- 1 package phyllo (or similar)
- 2 sticks unsalted butter
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 4 teaspoons vanilla extract
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Stir in the sugar and vanilla. Cook the mixture for 10-15 minutes or until the sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Unwrap the phyllo and cut it into four equal pieces. Layer each piece of phyllo on the baking sheet, making sure they are separated by at least an inch.
- Brush the tops of the phyllo with the melted butter mixture. Sprinkle the tops with more powdered sugar. Repeat steps three and four until all the phyllo has been used.
- Bake the Baklava for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
Let baked Baklava cool slightly before cutting into squares.
Frequently Asked Questions About Freezing Baklava:
Can You Refreeze Baklava?
Yes! If you want to refreeze Baklava, follow these simple instructions. First, let the Baklava cool completely. Once cooled, wrap the Baklava tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. Make sure the Baklava stays frozen throughout its storage period. When ready for Baklava, take out the desired amount and cook as directed.
How to Tell If Baklava Has Gone Bad?
If you notice that the center of the Baklavas has become soft or soggy, then it’s probably best to throw it away. However, if the Baklava still looks good but seems to be drying out, you can keep it in the fridge for up to two weeks. Just be careful when handling the Baklava because it may stick to your hands.
Can You Freeze Baklava Cheesecake?
Absolutely! You can freeze it like any other dessert if you want to make cheesecake Baklava. Line a pan with aluminum foil, pour the batter into the pan, cover it with plastic wrap, and freeze it overnight. Once the cake is frozen solid, please remove it from the pan and store it in a zip-top freezer bag. If you want to serve the cake, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and bake it according to the directions below.
What Is the Best Way to Store Frozen Baklava?
Freezer bags work great for storing frozen Baklava. It should also be stored in the freezer so that it doesn’t dry out.
What Are Some Other Ways to Keep Baklava Fresh?
You can also keep Baklava fresh in the refrigerator. Just remember to bring it back to room temperature before serving.
Last Words
Homemade Baklava is one of my favorite sweet desserts. I love how versatile this treat is — it can be served warm or cold, alone or alongside coffee, tea, or cocktails. This delectable treat is perfect for entertaining since it only takes about 30 minutes to prepare.
And best of all, you don’t need special equipment to make it. All you need is a kitchen scale, a bowl, a whisk, and some patience. So give homemade Baklava a try and see why everyone loves it so much.