Baklava is a sweet, rich pastry made of many paper-thin layers of dough, butter, and chopped nuts, all soaked in honey or syrup. When you bite into baklava, it shatters into crispy, flaky pieces while the sweet syrup and crunchy nuts fill your mouth with flavor.

Making baklava takes patience and skill. Bakers layer dozens of sheets of special dough called phyllo (FEE-lo), brushing each one with melted butter. Between the layers, they sprinkle finely chopped walnuts, pistachios, or almonds. After baking until golden and crispy, they pour sweet syrup over the hot pastry, which soaks into every layer.

People across the Middle East, Greece, Turkey, and nearby regions have been making versions of baklava for centuries, and different countries claim it as their own creation. Today you can find baklava in bakeries around the world. It's often cut into diamond or square shapes and served at celebrations and holidays, though it's so delicious that people enjoy it any time they want something special.