Turkish cuisine · Desserts & Sweets

Samsa Tatlısı

Triangular phyllo parcels with ground walnuts, baked in butter and soaked in sugar syrup.

Ingredients · for 8 servings

• 6 sheets phyllo dough
• 250 g walnuts
• 200 g butter
• 450 g sugar
• 500 ml water
• 1 tbsp juice of one lemon
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

1. Boil the sugar, water and lemon juice for 12 min. into a clear syrup and let cool completely; preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Grind the walnuts medium-fine, mix with the cinnamon and melt the butter; lay out the phyllo sheets only just before filling so they don't dry out.
3. Cut each phyllo sheet into strips about 8 cm wide, brush thinly with butter and place 1 tbsp of the walnut mixture at the top end of each strip.
4. Fold the strip alternately from left and right over the filling to form a firm triangle, and seal the seam with a little butter.
5. Place the parcels seam-side down in a buttered baking dish, pour the remaining butter generously over them and bake for 30–35 min. until deep golden brown and crisp all over.
6. Pour the cold syrup over the hot pastries immediately, let rest for 2 hrs. and serve lukewarm or cold.