Advance Baklava Prep - What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

December 21, 2023 9:00 AM

Can I prep (not bake) a baklava a few days in advance?

I also posted this on a Stack Exchange site, but wanted to check here as well.

I would like to assemble (not bake) a baklava on Friday, refrigerate it, and then bake it on Sunday afternoon, for serving on Monday. I don't think this should cause any issues with the phyllo not crisping up, but I've not tried this before (and have not baked baklava in years) so was wondering if anyone had any experience / advice on this.

Do you think this would be ok? I have found search results indicating that freezing an unbaked baklava works out - but if I freeze it then I also have to plan in thawing time...

posted by hilaryjade to Food & Drink (5 answers total)

I would think the only problem may be that the top layer(s) of your pastry may dry out a little bit. Possibly not that big a deal, and could be mitigated anyway by wrapping it before you put it in the fridge.

I love it especially when it’s fresh out of the oven, when the syrup is warm & goopy and the pastry is super crisp - so I would even bake on Monday if possible.
posted by rd45 at 9:36 AM on December 21, 2023 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Thank you for that tip - I may wait to bake as I also prefer crisp pastry. May I ask if you have a favorite recipe? I’m currently planning on using this one.
posted by hilaryjade at 3:46 PM on December 21, 2023

Does your recipe involve anything with water or dampness?Even melted butter? I would worry about the bottom pastry collecting all the humidity and getting gluey.

But if you’re using oil or ghee rather than butter to brush the phyllo, and your filling is no wetter than nuts, seems safe.
posted by clew at 7:21 PM on December 21, 2023

Response by poster: It uses butter. I may need to figure out a way to not have to assemble in advance - I’m starting to think this may be too risky! I’ve been craving baklava for months and do not like the sound of “gluey”! 😊
posted by hilaryjade at 5:17 AM on December 22, 2023

baklava quest!

I’m not even sure you have to add much thawing time for a frozen baklava. Wide and thin is the perfect shape to reheat, yes?
posted by clew at 2:21 PM on December 22, 2023