baklava bars

I love baklava.  I mean, I LOVE it!  So rich and sweet.  I never imagined being able to make them myself...just think of all those intricate layers they have going on.  Nope...that would be way too time-consuming.  I was so thrilled to find this recipe and even more excited that they tasted really, really good.  This is a prize-winning 2007 recipe from either Box Tops or Betty Crocker.  Your friends and family will love you even more if you share this with them.  If not, then you could always share with me!

baklava bars


Cookie Base
1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1 egg


Filling
1-1/2 cups chopped walnuts
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
8 frozen mini fillo shells (from 2.1-oz package)


Glaze
1/3 cup honey
2 TBSP butter or margarine, softened
1 TBSP packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla


Garnish
5 TBSP honey


Directions
Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray.  In large bowl, stir cookie base ingredients until soft dough forms.  Press dough in bottom of pan.  Bake 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in medium bowl, stir walnuts, granulated sugar, 1/4 cup butter, 1 teaspoon cinnamon and the salt with fork until mixture is well mixed and crumbly.  Sprinkle nut mixture evenly over partially baked base.  With hands, crumble frozen fillo shells evenly over nut mixture.  Bake 18-20 minutes longer or until golden brown.


Meanwhile, in a small microwavable bowl, microwave 1/3 cup honey, 2 TBSP butter, the brown sugar, lemon juice and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon uncovered on High 1 minute or until bubbly.  stir in vanilla.  Drizzle honey mixture evenly over fillo.  Cool completely, about 2 hours.  For bars, cut into 6 rows by 4 rows.  Before serving, drizzle 1/2 teaspoon honey over each bar.  Store covered at room temperature.

If you like baklava, this is good stuff.  I promise.


WARNING:  they are also a little messy, slightly sticky and very addicting.