Foolproof Homemade Baklava

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1. 1Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350F.
2. 2Step 2: Make the simple syrup: put the sugar and water in a pot and bring to a boil. Once it boils, lower to a simmer for 7 minutes. Allow to cool.
3. 3Step 3: Prepare the filling: grind the walnuts in a food processor until coarse, each walnut broken to about a fifth of its size.
4. 4Step 4: Mix the walnuts with the ground cardamom and add 3/4 cup of the simple syrup (leave the rest for later). Mix until well combined and wet.
5. 5Step 5: Melt the butter and mix it with the olive oil.
6. 6Step 6: Unwrap the first filo pastry box (it dries out so work fast). Measure the dimensions against your pan (13 inch by 18 inch pan) and snip any excess using scissors. The filo sheets should sit inside the pan up to the edges.
7. 7Step 7: Start layering: brush the bottom of the pan generously with the butter/oil. Then layer 3 sheets of filo on top, pressing down and removing air bubbles as best as you can every time you add a sheet.
8. 8Step 8: Brush the third layer of filo generously with the butter/oil, then continue layering, brushing every third layer. If using 10 or 11 sheets, also brush the top most layer with butter/oil (even if it is not the third sheet). If you have more sheets, feel free to use up to 15 layers.
9. 9Step 9: Spoon the walnut mixture onto the filo pastry, covering it evenly, and pack it down using the back of a spoon or your hand.
10. 10Step 10: Unwrap the second box of filo pastry and measure it the same way. Then layer the filo sheets, brushing every third sheet generously with butter/oil, removing air bubbles. Continue until you reach the top, and brush the top generously with butter/oil.
11. 11Step 11: Using a sharp knife, make straight cuts parallel to the long edge of the pan, roughly 1 inch in size. Hold down the pastry gently as you cut, and use a rocking motion so the pastry does not drag out of place. You should be able to fit 8-10 rows if using the same size pan. You can also cut them bigger for an easier option.
12. 12Step 12: Then make diagonal cuts running from one corner of the pan all the way to the opposite corner to create diamond shapes. Go over all the cuts twice to ensure you cut all the layers.
13. 13Step 13: Bake for 45-50 minutes until the Baklawa is a light golden colour.
14. 14Step 14: Take it out of the oven and pour the remaining cooled simple syrup on top. You may hear a splashing sound and that's okay!
15. 15Step 15: Optional: garnish with crushed pistachios and rose petals.
16. 16Step 16: Allow the Baklawa to cool completely before serving.