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You guys, don’t fear the baklava.
Embrace it!!
I know there are a good handful of you out there who may think baklava is a tricky thing to make because of all the layering, but it’s not. It’s actually a fairly simple thing to make, if you ask me.
AND it’s so delicious. I mean, it has layers of flaky buttery dough, chocolate and sweet candy bar like pecans and pistachios. What is not to love about that?
When I set out to make this baklava with butter rum sauce, I wasn’t sure that I REALLY wanted to make a baklava. I made one last year and didn’t want to be repeating things. But this baklava is so different. Last year’s was all about the chocolate chip cookie and yes, I still adore that recipe, but this year’s recipe is a bit more traditional.
It’s got a twist – of course. Can I ever leave anything as is? NOPE.
I am not going to lie, little miss Rachel Ray inspired this recipe. In her November issue she had a Candy Bar Pie recipe and it looked amazing. It was oozing with chocolate, so you know that right there got my attention. As I read through the recipe, it hit me that I should save the idea for Christmas and turn the Candy bar filling into a baklava.
I may be a bit biased, but I sort of think my idea is kind of awesome. I know, I know, way to talk myself up, but this baklava was so good and the butter rum syrup?
Perfection (and yeah, I am totally doing that thing with my fingers that the chefs in movies do when they say perfection. If you could see me you’d think I am such a dork. I kind of am.).
Ok, but don’t let the name of this baklava fool you, there is NO CANDY in this recipe. You sort of make your own candy, but not really. Whatever, regardless, it is good, sweet, buttery and extra chocolatey.
The “candy bar” is really just a mix of boiled brown sugar and honey that you stir with some pecans and pistachios. It’s not really candy, but who cares. I think it’s sort of supposed to be like a brittle thing, but it never gets that hard, which I think is good. This way everything stays soft and gooey.
And then you add chocolate chips and layers of phyllo dough, which I am currently loving (and using too much of). See, not too complicated, and the presentation is so pretty. Holiday guests will love this and, promise, it will make you look so good.
Speaking of holiday guests, do you guys have any yet? Our first guest arrived Sunday and three more will follow on Thursday and the big crew will arrive Saturday. WE ARE SO CLOSE. Still not sure if I will be in the barn or not, but I guess we will all find out soon. If you didn’t know this, I despise not knowing what’s to come. I am planner, type A person and the whole “up in the air” thing seems to happen to me way too much. UGH.
Mom says Thursday, we’ll see.
Anyway, it’s been really crazy here since… basically Thanksgiving. We have had at least two extra people staying with us since then and often times more. Worst part is these are not grown people, they are growing boys and all I can say is that it’s just been a lot and I am so excited for Christmas Eve to hit and to have a little break. Of course, I will be cooking, but my cousins will be here and it’s gonna be fun.
And I hear that their aunt from California is sending use some Carne Asada, so yeah, I am really excited for that too. Last Christmas I made these tacos and I am thinking those will need to be repeated. Fries and all. YUM.
Oops. Sorry, didn’t mean to get off topic there.
Back to this delicious baklava with butter rum sauce. Well I’ve really said all there is to say, other than that it was a huge hit. If this sounds like your thing, please make it. Heck, even if you aren’t sure, make it. Everyone will love it, it’s pretty hard not to.
Oh, and the butter rum sauce? This is not traditional, but wow, is it awesome! Maple, butter and rum. Too good.
Chocolate “Candy Bar” Baklava with Butter Rum Sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 4 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups pecans, roughly chopped + toasted
- 1 cup salted pistachios, roughly chopped
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 pound of phyllo dough
- 1 cup sticks unsalted butter, melted, 1/2
Butter Rum Sauce
- 1 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoon rum or bourbon
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper. In a medium saucepan, bring the brown sugar, butter, cream and honey to a boil over medium-high. Remove from heat and stir in the pecans, pistachios and vanilla. Spread the filling onto the prepared baking sheet, let stand at room temperature until cool, about 15-30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Brush a 9x13-inch baking dish with some of the melted butter. Layer 10 pieces of phyllo in the dish, brushing each piece with butter before adding the next (keep the remaining dough covered with a damp towel). Gently spread 1/2 of the "candy bar" nut mixture over the phyllo dough and then sprinkle with chocolate chips. Layer another 10 pieces of phyllo on top, brushing each with butter before adding the next. Next spread with the remaining half of the "candy bar" nut mixture. Sprinkle on the remaining chocolate chips. Now add the third and final layer of phyllo dough. Layer 12 pieces of phyllo right on top, brushing each with butter before adding the next.
- Cut into the baklava to make strips, about 1 1/2 inches wide. Then make diagonal slices, about 1 1/2 inches apart, to create a diamond pattern. Bake until golden, about 40 to 50 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the syrup. Add the maple syrup, butter, vanilla (or use a vanilla bean for more vanilla flavor) and rum to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Simmer until the butter has melted and the sauce is slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Pour the syrup over the warm baklava and let soak, for at least 6 hours or overnight (I covered my pan with plastic wrap after about 2 hours of cooling). Serve each piece with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
The layers. The chocolate. The phyllo dough. A million times – yes!
That looks so. good. and so much work! I can almost taste it!
It’s really not too hard, I swear. You just need some time.
Thank Jodi!
I love baklava but I’ve never tried to make it. This is inspiring me though – looks incredible! (And I love those tiny little stars!)
Thanks so much! You have to try making it, you’d nail it and love it! 🙂
Baklava is a must at my holiday table! Just posted my recipe last week with a few tips for working with phyllo. It’s really not that hard to work with; I wish more people embraced it for the holidays. I like your twist with the candied nuts and buttered rum syrup.
I bet your post is awesome, I need your tips! 🙂
Thanks Suzy!
Coming from a Southeastern European family, we definitely don’t fear baklava over here! It’s sooo delicious!
Sooo delicious for sure! 🙂
Thanks!
Vous ètes un véritable chef, en plus d’être absolument douée pour la photographie culinaire artistique. Votre imagination est sans limite. Bravo !!
THANK YOU!
I love baklava so much!! This looks great!
Thanks Laura!
This looks amazing! I love baklava, but have never tried making it before. This might need to change.
You have to make it yourself, nothing better! 🙂
The only thing about looking at these wonderful pictures is for the rest of the day I want to eat something that looks that good and I imagine taste that great.
Oh you have to make this them, you will love it!
Wishing I could send you some though! 🙂
Tieghan, I feel like you take all of my culinary fantasies and bring them to life! I have wanted to try baklava for FOREVER but always chicken out. Thanks for being such a brave example 🙂
YES! I love hearing this! 🙂
You can so do it!
I LOVE baklava and this particular version looks insane – in a good way!
Thanks so much, Kathy! It’s perfect for the holidays too! 🙂
I’m giving the baklava a try and inviting Angie Kolocouris the Greek goddess over to see how I do. Love the sound and pictures of this recipe. Neitzel
THANK YOU! Hope you guys both love it, let me know! 🙂
this looks insanely good..perfect for the holidays!! I love a loud chaotic house over the holidays that’s what makes them so great…Enjoy it all…you deserve it.
Thank you, Lisa! You are so kind! 🙂
Amazing!!! I think I need a complete year to try all recipes I like from your blog 🙂
p.s.: past week-end tried your pizza with caramilized pumpkin, and pomegranate sauce… delicious!!!
SO happy you love the pizza! Thanks for giving it a try! 🙂
Looks incredible as always, Tieghan! I want to swin in that sauce! Pinned!
Thanks Tori! 🙂
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