My dad’s easy Greek baklava recipe has been in our family for generations. Here’s how to make it.

• My Greek grandfather was a phyllo maker, and his baklava has been in my family for generations.
• My dad makes baklava every Christmas and showed me how it’s done.
• The recipe isn’t as intimidating as it seems, and it will impress everyone during the holidays.

Baklava has always been an important part of my family’s history.

My pappou — Greek for grandfather — was a phyllo maker, and my dad grew up watching him make baklava and kataifi at his store, Φύλλο κρούστα ΚΩΝΣΤΑΝΤΙΝΙΔΗΣ, in Thessaloniki.

According to family lore, my pappou actually helped invent frozen phyllo. Why I’m not a frozen phyllo heiress partying with Paris Hilton on a yacht in Mykonos, I do not know, but I’m still proud!

Our family makes my pappou’s baklava every Christmas, so I asked my dad to finally share its history and recipe with the world.

Here’s how to make it.