DIDI'S BAKLAVA BARS

Didi's Baklava Bars image

Provided by Didi Dalaba

Time 1h40m

Number Of Ingredients 19

COOKIE BASE
1 batch (or if large batch 1/2 of batch) of your favorite sugar cookie recipe. divide in half. to the half that you will be using add;
1 tsp grated lemon zest
FILLING
1 1/2 c chopped walnuts
1/3 c granulated sugar
1/4 c butter or margarine softened
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/8 tsp salt
2 1/2 c choppd phyllo dough defrosted
GLAZE
1/3 c honey
2 Tbsp butter or margarine softened
1 1/2 Tbsp brown sugar
1 1/4 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground cloves
2 tsp vanilla

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Using a 13 x 9 inch pan, spray with non-stick cooking spray. To the bottom only of the pan, add your cookie dough that you have now added the grated lemon zest. Press down evenly and bake for approximately 15 minutes. Remove from oven, set aside.
2. While cookie base is baking, get your filling ingredients ready.
3. Start by chopping up your phyllo dough. On a clean flat surface, lay your phyllo dough.
4. Unwrap
5. Measure out about 3-4 inches, and cutting straight down using a sharp knife.
6. Slice into strips, lay the strips ontop of each other and chop roughly.
7. In a bowl, add the rest of your filling and mix well.
8. Remove the cookie base from the oven, add the nut mixture.
9. Add the chopped phyllo dough. Bake for another 25 minutes. As the baklava bars are baking, in a small sauce pan, add the glaze ingredients and bring the mixture to a bubble. Remove from heat, set aside.
10. Remove the baklava bars from oven.
11. Immediately pour glaze over baklava bars.
12. Let cool for at least 1 hour ( I know, just walk away, that's what I have to do ;-) ) Cut into square size of you choice. Enjoy!!