Baklava is a sweet pastry made of layers of thin phyllo dough filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey. It is a popular dessert in many countries in the Middle East, Mediterranean, and Balkans, including Turkey, Greece, and Lebanon. It was considered a royal dessert and was often served at imperial banquets and special occasions. The pastry is made by layering sheets of phyllo dough, a paper-thin pastry that is commonly used in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine. Between each layer of dough, a mixture of finely chopped nuts, such as pistachios or walnuts, is spread. The layers are then baked until golden and crispy. After baking, a hot syrup made from sugar, water, and sometimes lemon juice or rosewater is poured over the baklava, allowing it to soak into the layers of pastry and nuts. Once the syrup has cooled and the pastry has absorbed it, the baklava is ready to be served. Baklava is typically cut into diamond-shaped pieces and served as a dessert or snack with tea or coffee. It is a rich and indulgent pastry that is enjoyed throughout the world for its delicate layers of pastry and sweet, nutty filling.