Baklava Ice Cream Sundae is a quick and easy way to make homemade baklava. Layer flaky, crispy phyllo with vanilla ice cream and then top it off with cinnamon-scented walnuts and pistachios. This sundae is finished with a drizzle of warm honey.
I tried ice cream with Baklava at a Greek Festival in Atlanta. It was so good that I decided to make my Baklava Ice Cream Sundae. It's all I love about Baklava: cinnamon, walnuts and pistachios. But it doesn't take too much time.
This recipe is a favorite of my husband and he loves it. It would be right up there with Baklava Cheesecake. It's easy to make a sundae for friends when my daughter is visiting. Just give the ingredients to the children and they will make their Baklava Ice Cream Sundae. This ice cream dessert is special and delicious. It's so much fun to make and eat!
You will need only 4 to 6 sheets of phyllo dough for this sundae recipe. The leftover phyllo can be put back in the freezer, or used to make dinner. You can make a savory pie like Pastilla Skillet Chicken Pie or Spanakopita. It looks like you have dinner and dessert covered.
Table of Contents
- What is Baklava?
- How to make Baklava Ice Cream Sundaes
- Baklava Ice Cream Sundae: Tips
- Baklava Ice Cream Sundae:
- What to Serve with this Baklava Ice Cream Sundae recipe
- Other Desserts We Like
- Get our high quality Greek honey!
- Baklava Ice Cream Sundae Recipe
What is Baklava?
Baklava is a rich, sweet pastry made with layers of flaky, delicate phyllo pastry. It's generously filled with walnuts or aromatic pistachios and then drenched with honey syrup.
Baklava, which was first made in 15th-century Greece, has become a symbol for Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine. Baklava can be found in many countries, including Egypt, Turkey, Armenia and Iran.
This Baklava Ice Cream Sundae, which is an amalgamation of two wonderful food cultures, dates back to the 19th century in America.
How to Make Baklava Ice Cream Sundaes
Baklava Ice Cream Sundae ingredients are as easy to find at your local grocery store than any other ice cream sundae. Although the original flavors of baklava can be quite different, I offer a few substitutes to make it more diverse.
- Extra-virgin Olive Oil: You may know that I use EVOO in almost everything. This recipe calls for Koroneiki olive oil, which is a Greek olive oil with a light fruity flavor. It is not a common misconception to fry in olive oil. For more information on frying in olive oil, see my Guide to Cooking With Olive Oil.
- Phyllo bread: You can find phyllo dough in most grocery stores, near the pie crust.
- Shelled pistachios & walnuts: I like to use a mixture of walnuts and piscados. These are the traditional nuts used for baklava. However, lightly roasted crushed hazelnuts could also be used.
- Ground cinnamon and brown sugar: Used to sweeten the nuts. Brown sugar has a caramel taste that I love, but you can use any other granulated sugar. You can substitute cinnamon for the cinnamon or leave it out.
- Vanilla Ice Cream:Vanilla Ice Cream lets the baklava flavor shine, but you have the option to experiment with other flavors.
- Honey: Baklava's best part is the warm drizzle of honey. High quality wildflower honey is recommended, such as our Alfa Honey from Crete.
Tips to Make Baklava Ice Cream Sundae
The only thing you need to do is fry the phyllo dough. This dessert recipe is easy. These are my top tips for making ice cream sundaes a success.
- Thaw your parchment:Transfer the parchment from the freezer to the refrigerator the night before you plan to use it. It will then thaw before you fry it and produce crisp phyllo.
- Leave the nuts somewhat unaltered: Crush the walnuts, pistachios, and other nuts until they are all reduced to a few sizes. Don't confuse gravel with sand.
Baklava Ice Cream Sundae
Baklava Sundae can be made in three easy steps. You can either scoop, drizzle, then serve yourself or let the whole family serve it.
- Fry the sheets of phyllo: Heat 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil in a medium saucepan. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add the torn pieces of phyllo dough in batches. Turn the pieces over and fry until golden brown. This takes about 1 to 2 minutes. Continue to fry 4-6 sheets of phyllo dough. Use tongs to transfer crispy pieces to a large, paper towel-lined plate.
- Season the nuts. In a small bowl combine 1/2 cup crushed walnuts and 1/2 cup crushed pecans. Mix 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon with 1/2 cup brown sugar until well combined.
- Add a little bit of crispy phyllo on the bottom of four small cups. Serve one scoop of ice cream on top, along with a tablespoon of the nut mix and a drizzle honey. Continue to add more crispy phyllo. To finish, top with a scoop of icecream, more nuts and a drizzle honey. Serve immediately
What to Serve with This Baklava Ice Cream Sundae recipe
This delicious Baklava Sundae dessert is a must-have! Even the most ardent sweet tooth will be satisfied by these rich, sweet flavors.
This Baklava Ice Cream Sundae is a great option for a complete dinner party menu. It can be served as the last course after lighter dishes like Roasted Branzino, with Lemony Rice or Traditional Greek Salad.
We also love other desserts
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Baklava: How to Make It
-
Baklava Cheesecake
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Baklava rolls filled with cashew
-
Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies
Explore all Mediterranean recipes
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Get our high quality Greek honey!
This honey drizzle adds the perfect finishing touch for your baklava ice-cream sundae.
Baklava Ice Cream Sundae
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 4-6 sheets of phyllo dough, cut into pieces about the same size as a deck of cards
- 1/2 cup crushed walnuts
- 1/2 cup crushed pistachios
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 large tub (8 scoops) vanilla ice cream
- 1/2 cup honey warmed
Instructions
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Fry the phyllo sheets. Heat 1/4 cup oil in a saucepan on medium heat until it shimmers. When the oil is heated, add the phyllo. Fry the phyllo, turning once or twice, until the phyllo turns golden brown. This takes about 1 to 2 minutes. To transfer the crispy phyllo onto a large, paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil, use a pair of tongs.
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Season nuts: Combine the walnuts with the pistachios and cinnamon in a small bowl.
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Serve: Place a little bit of crispy phyllo on the bottom of four cups. Serve one scoop of ice cream on top, along with a tablespoon of the nuts mixture and a drizzle honey. Continue to add more crispy phyllo. To finish, top with a scoop of icecream, more nuts and a drizzle honey. Serve immediately
Video
Notes
- Warm the honey by heating it in a glass jar or transferring to a container with a lid. Let the honey dry until it is loose enough to drizzle.
- Another serving option: Make this an ice cream cone sundae bar. Make the phyllo dough, fry the nuts and honey, then let everyone assemble it. This is especially useful for large groups. Double, triple or quadruple this recipe.
- To browse high-quality Mediterranean ingredients such as olive oils, honey and jams, visit the shop
Nutrition
The Mediterranean Dish first published the post Baklava Ice Cream Sundae.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Banana permissible in the Mediterranean diet
Yes, bananas are permitted on the Mediterranean diet. Bananas are nutritious and low-calorie fruit that can provide beneficial dietary fiber, potassium, and vitamin B6. It can be added to smoothies, soups, salads, and even sweet potatoes as a healthy side or main dish. It could also be enjoyed as a snack with nut butter such as almond or peanut for added proteins. If you are following the Mediterranean Diet, it might be beneficial to pair bananas and healthy fats like seeds and nuts to increase digestion and promote satisfaction when eating meals.
Can I consume alcohol while following the Mediterranean diet?
Yes, alcohol can be enjoyed in moderation as part a Mediterranean diet. Women should drink no more than 1 glass per day and men should have 2 glasses. Drinks that are suitable include beer, dry wines, and spirits made from natural ingredients, such as vodka, whiskey, brandy, and gin. Avoid heavy spirits like cocktails due to their high levels of sugar. Drinking water and herbal teas daily can help keep your body hydrated, as well as reduce the desire to drink sugary drinks.
Is the Mediterranean diet suitable to people with diabetes?
People with diabetes or other health issues will find the Mediterranean Diet helpful. This diet emphasizes whole foods and limits refined sugars and carbohydrates. It also focuses more on healthy fats than butter and lard. This helps reduce diabetes risk in people who don't already have it. It also controls blood sugar levels and insulin for those with diabetes. Light exercise can also help to stabilize blood sugar levels. Healthy food swaps such as replacing white bread with whole-grain bread or adding nuts to salads instead of crackers can contribute to a balanced meal plan suitable for managing symptoms of many different health conditions.
Is it possible to use extra virgin olive oil in place of regular olive oil?
You can substitute extra virgin olive oils for regular olive oil in the Mediterranean diet. Extra Virgin Olive Oil or EVOO is preferred because it has more nutritional benefits and a richer flavor. Regular olive oils, however, are still an option. They have a milder flavor profile. Regular olive oil is great for everyday cooking, from stir-frying to roasting vegetables. This oil is cheaper than EVOO. Some even believe it can be used for higher heat applications, such as deep frying. It does not have the same nutrients and positive compounds as EVOO so make sure to get these benefits from other areas of your diet.
What foods aren't allowed in a Mediterranean diet
A Mediterranean diet excludes certain food groups, including all processed foods, added sugar, and unhealthy fats. Some foods should be avoided in order to preserve the health benefits. Consuming these items occasionally can still be part of a healthy diet, but consistently eating them can counteract the potential health benefits of following a Mediterranean eating plan.
On a Mediterranean diet, whole-grain breads and starches like white bread, sugary grains, and other highly processed baked goods are prohibited. These items are quickly absorbed into your system as sugars and may lead to blood sugar spikes that cause weight gain over time. These items are also less nutritious than whole grain options such as millet or quinoa.
Other forms of sugar fall into this category as well; limit your intake of sweetened drinks - including soda, tea with added sugars, and juices - as these won't support weight management or healthy nutrient profiles.
Red meats and processed meats are not recommended for Mediterranean-style meals. Red meats and processed foods are high in saturated fats, which raises cholesterol levels and increases the risk of developing heart disease. Due to the association of nitrates with cell damage responses within the cells, processed lunchmeats may raise cancer risk. Dairy products should not be eaten regularly because some cheeses contain a lot of saturated fats. Other than feta, feta is low in saturated fat.
According to nutrition specialists, fish should be limited to three meals per week. They recommend that you limit the amount of fish consumed.
Statistics
- Other components in tomatoes may help reduce the risk of blood clots, thereby protecting against cardiovascular disease, according to a March 2019 review in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. (everydayhealth.com)
- The Mediterranean Diet group had a 30% lower relative risk of cardiovascular events compared to the low-fat diet group. (my.clevelandclinic.org)
- One small study suggested that swapping one-half of your serving of a high-glycemic starch (like rice) with lentils helps lower the glycemic response by 20 percent. (everydayhealth.com)
- 1g sugar Benefits Rich in heart-healthy polyunsaturated fats, these nuts may also favourably impact your gut microbiome (and thus improve digestive health) and lower LDL cholesterol, according to a small study that included 18 healthy adults. (everydayhealth.com)
External Links
my.clevelandclinic.org
researchgate.net
- (PDF). The Association Between Dietary Patterns AND Insulin Resistance: Systematic Review
- (PDF) Citrus as a component of the Mediterranean diet
nejm.org
oldwayspt.org
How To
What can the Mediterranean Diet do to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke?
The Mediterranean diet is a healthy eating plan that includes whole grains, legumes and fruits as well as healthy fats. It has been linked to numerous health benefits such as better blood lipids. better glucose control. reduced risk of developing certain cancers. Additionally, research indicates that following this dietary pattern could reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
It is possible to incorporate Mediterranean-inspired foods into your daily diet by swapping high-calorie snacks like chips for nutrient-dense vegetable appetizers or other traditional greens or beans dishes. You can also increase your satisfaction after meals by learning how to add spices or other sources of nuts, fruits, or vegetables. To increase nutrition, it is important to consume moderate amounts of dairy products, such as yogurt, milk, and cheese, throughout the day. To enhance the Mediterranean experience, olive oils should be used instead of other cooking fats.
Combining this with regular vigorous exercise at a moderate intensity could lead to even greater gains in short-term and long-term health benefits. This includes the prevention of chronic diseases and better body composition. The Mediterranean diet encourages healthy eating and provides substantial benefits for reducing your risk of heart disease and stroke.
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