Chocolate-Drizzled Baklava

Name: Chocolate-Drizzled Baklava
Prep time: 60 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: 3 dozen.
Cuisine: Greek Desserts, Greek Recipes
Ingredients: 1-2/3 cups finely chopped pecans; 1-2/3 cups finely chopped walnuts; 1/2 cup sugar; 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice; 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves; 1 cup butter, melted; 24 sheets phyllo dough (14x9-inch size); SYRUP:; 1 cup water; 1 cup honey; 1/2 cup sugar; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; DRIZZLE:; 1 cup (6 ounces) dark chocolate chips; 1 teaspoon shortening

This baklava makes a special gift and is also fun to put on a party planner. — Jesse Zipursky, San Ramon, California

Ingredients

1-2/3 cups finely chopped pecans
1-2/3 cups finely chopped walnuts
1/2 cup sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup butter, melted
24 sheets phyllo dough (14x9-inch size)
SYRUP:
1 cup water
1 cup honey
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
DRIZZLE:
1 cup (6 ounces) dark chocolate chips
1 teaspoon shortening

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, mix the first six ingredients. Brush a 13x9-in. baking pan with some of the butter. Unroll phyllo dough; trim to fit into pan.
Layer six sheets of phyllo in prepared pan, brushing each with butter. Keep remaining phyllo covered with plastic wrap and a damp towel to prevent it from drying out. Sprinkle with a third of the nut mixture. Repeat layers twice. Top with remaining phyllo sheets, brushing each with butter.
Using a sharp knife, cut into 1-1/2-in. diamond shapes. Bake 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
Meanwhile, in a saucepan, combine water, honey, sugar and cinnamon; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes. Stir in vanilla.
Pour over warm baklava. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Cover and let stand for several hours or overnight.
In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Drizzle over baklava; let stand until set.