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Chocolate Baklava

March 13, 2016 By Naomi Robinson | Bakers Royale 41 Comments

Baklava? Yes, baklava to celebrate My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 coming to theaters March 25.

Chocolate Baklava | Bakers Royale

I know you saw the first My Big Fat Greek Wedding. You loved it right? Because if you didn’t I’m going to question your sense of humor.

Chocolate Baklava via Bakers Royale
It’s one of those movies you actually buy, because it’s sweet, funny and admit it—you wish you could enjoy a big Sunday dinner with the Portokalos family.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2

But since we aren’t able pull a chair up at their dinner table, go ahead and check out the trailer for the long awaited My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2! The new film reveals a Portokalos family secret that will bring the beloved characters back together for an even bigger and Greeker wedding.

Like I mentioned, to celebrate the upcoming film release, I made some baklava, a traditional Greek dessert made with layers of crispy phyllo, honey, and chopped nuts. And please don’t tell me you don’t eat baklava because that will just force me to drop some of Aunt Voula’s wisdom on you.

MBFGW2-Lamb

Before you head out to see My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 in theaters on March 25, make a batch of this delicious baklava to pack up and bring to the movies!

**This is a sponsored post in partnership with Universal Pictures

Chocolate Baklava

Chocolate Baklava

Yield: Makes 30 pieces

Ingredients

  • 1-lb. “twin pack” phyllo dough (two 8-oz. packs, each containing about twenty 9x14-inch sheets)
  • Filling 1 lb. raw shelled hazelnuts 6 oz. coarsely chopped semisweet or bittersweet chocolate Syrup 1/4 cup granulated sugar 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1-1/4 cups unsalted butter 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder 2 tablespoons Frangelico
  • Filling
  • 1 lb. raw shelled hazelnuts
  • 6 oz. coarsely chopped semisweet or bittersweet chocolate
  • Syrup
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1-1/4 cups unsalted butter
  • 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder
  • 2 tablespoons Frangelico

Instructions

Thaw the phyllo overnight in the refrigerator. Then put the phyllo box on the counter to come to room temperature, 1-1/2 to 2 hours.

Make the filling: Place the hazelnuts, chocolate, sugar, and cinnamon in a food processor bowl fitted with the blade. Process until the nuts and chocolate are finely chopped (the largest should be the size of small dried lentils), about  15 to 30 seconds. Set aside.

 Assemble the baklava: Unfold one pack of the phyllo sheets and stack them so that they lie flat on a work surface. Cover the top with plastic wrap, letting some excess plastic fall over all four edges. Place dampen kitchen towel on top of plastic wrap; this will hold the plastic in place and prevent the phyllo from drying out.

In a small sauce pan over medium heat melt butter. Brush bottom of a 9x13-inch metal pan (use a light color pan to prevent overbrowning to edges) with some of the butter. Remove a sheet of phyllo from the stack, (re-cover between using to keep phyllo moist and pliable) and place it on bottom of pan. Brush the sheet with some of the melted butter but don’t soak the phyllo (you’ll have about 40 layers of buttered phyllo once fully assembled). Repeat until 10 sheets have been layered and buttered. If pan has slightly angled sides, arrange sheets so the excess falls on the same side of the pan and cut the extra off every few layers with a paring knife. Sprinkle about one-third of the filling evenly over the phyllo.

Repeat layering and buttering remaining sheets from first pack and sprinkle on another third of the filling. Open, unfold, and cover second pack of phyllo. Layer and butter it as described above, sprinkling the remaining filling after layering about half the phyllo, and ending with a final layer of phyllo (you may not need all of the butter). Loosely cover and transfer pan of baklava to freezer for 30 minutes (this will make it easier to cut).

Bake the baklava: Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 350°F.

Before baking, use a thin, sharp serrated knife and using a gentle sawing motion, cut the baklava to preferred serving portions. Avoid  pressing down on the baklava while cutting it with the other. Bake the baklava until golden, 40 to 45 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool completely.

Make the syrup: In a small saucepan, bring sugar, espresso powder and 2/3 cup water to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes. Remove pan from heat and stir in Frangelico. Pour the syrup evenly over entire surface of the baklava, allowing it to run down into the cut marks and along the sides of the pan. Set baklava aside to cool to room temperature before serving.

Notes

Recipe adapted from here.

© Naomi Robinson | Bakers Royale
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Filed Under: noads, Sponsored, Sweet

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Comments

  1. Tieghan says

    March 13, 2016 at 7:51 pm

    I cannot wait to see this movie and to make this baklava!! Bring in the fun and chocolate! 🙂

  2. Tori says

    March 14, 2016 at 2:07 am

    Dying to see the sequal and I’m going to have to follow your lead and make this gorgeous baklava to go with it!

  3. Hannah Hossack-Lodge (Domestic Gothess) says

    March 14, 2016 at 2:58 am

    I love baklava but have never tried a chocolate version before, my mouth is watering!

  4. Julie @ Table for Two says

    March 14, 2016 at 4:07 am

    I love baklava!! I need to make this at home asap!! I can’t wait for the 2nd big fat greek wedding movie!

  5. shelly (cookies and cups) says

    March 14, 2016 at 4:18 am

    I’ve never made baklava!! And that movie looks so fun 🙂

  6. Liz @ Floating Kitchen says

    March 14, 2016 at 4:31 am

    One of my favorite movies and I can’t wait to see the second one! This chocolate baklava is the perfect treat to go along with the film!

  7. Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says

    March 14, 2016 at 4:41 am

    I made my own Baklava once! It’s time consuming, but SO worth it! I LOVE my Big Fat Greek Wedding, so I can’t wait to watch it and munch these gorgeous treats! Pinned!

  8. Layla | Gimme Delicious Food says

    March 14, 2016 at 4:43 am

    Yes baklava is time consuming but soooo worth it! I make it all the time and will try this chocolate version for sure!

  9. Carrie @ Bakeaholic Mama says

    March 14, 2016 at 4:48 am

    I can’t wait to see that movie…. and really really need this baklava in my life!

  10. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

    March 14, 2016 at 5:07 am

    Baklava is a favorite of mine Naomi. Your chocolate version sounds amazing. I love the addition of the espresso powder too! Cannot wait to give this one a try!

  11. Sam says

    March 14, 2016 at 5:57 am

    Stunning recipe and I think more intersting than the traditional which I often find too sweet. I cant wait to see the movie, I loved the first o ne.

  12. Sarah | Broma Bakery says

    March 14, 2016 at 6:02 am

    Just STUNNING! Love love love this setup 🙂

  13. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says

    March 14, 2016 at 6:05 am

    I am so looking forward to this movie and LOVE this chocolate baklava!!! Stunning!!!

  14. JulieD says

    March 14, 2016 at 6:11 am

    I can’t wait for this movie…and this baklava…LOOKS AMAZING!

  15. GERRY SPEIRS says

    March 14, 2016 at 6:29 am

    Awesome movie and this baklava looks fantastic!!

  16. Heather Christo says

    March 14, 2016 at 7:15 am

    Ha! I already married into a big fat greek family! I am totally going to this movie- Pete said he will take me for a date night 🙂 Baklava looks so good Naomi!

  17. Katrina says

    March 14, 2016 at 7:49 am

    This sounds so tasty! The chocolate addition is amazing!!

  18. Maria says

    March 14, 2016 at 8:16 am

    Should be a great movie! And a big two thumbs up for the chocolate baklava!

  19. Zainab says

    March 14, 2016 at 9:05 am

    I loved the first movie and yes, own it!! I can’t wait for the second one. I might make these and sneak them into my purse when I go see the movie.

  20. Connie says

    March 14, 2016 at 11:06 am

    I’m super excited for the movie!!! Baklava looks amazing, too.

  21. Samantha says

    March 14, 2016 at 12:16 pm

    My dad and I love baklava! We used to go to all the European markets in the UK around Christmas time and buy little bits and pieces of baklava from all the different stalls, then try it all and pick our favourite one.
    Nowadays I just make my own. We had a Turkish friend who owned our local kebab shop that went fishing with my dad and passed on his family recipe. That’s one that I keep under lock and key in my recipe book.

  22. Kevin @ Closet Cooking says

    March 14, 2016 at 12:56 pm

    Love the addition of chocolate!

  23. Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain says

    March 14, 2016 at 2:32 pm

    I don’t think dessert can get any better!!

  24. Kari says

    March 14, 2016 at 2:54 pm

    I’ve never seen chocolate baklava before! Looks good!
    Kari
    http://www.sweetteasweetie.com

  25. Laura (Tutti Dolci) says

    March 14, 2016 at 3:54 pm

    Gorgeous baklava, I love the frangelico syrup!

  26. Gaby Dalkin says

    March 14, 2016 at 9:03 pm

    I’m always weary of sequels but this looks hilarious! Don’t mind if I do sneak in some chocolate baklava to enjoy, it feels like the right thing to do 😉

  27. Dianne says

    March 15, 2016 at 2:47 am

    Really good, it is a delight ..

  28. Jenny Flake says

    March 16, 2016 at 6:31 am

    Wow!! I need to try this asap!!!

  29. Lisa @ Wine & Glue says

    March 16, 2016 at 6:39 am

    I LOVED the first one! And you are so right, it is a movie that you can watch over and over and over 🙂 And I have. I love this recipe. It looks phenomenal!

  30. Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says

    March 16, 2016 at 7:51 am

    I loved the first movie so I’m sure the 2nd will be great, too! Love this Chocolate baklava – it’s calling out my name! Lovely photos…

  31. [email protected] says

    March 16, 2016 at 12:03 pm

    I am so excited for this movie and this baklava is DREAMY. It’s been on my baking bucket list for a while—thanks for the inspiration!

  32. Peppermint Dolly says

    March 19, 2016 at 9:43 am

    Love the photography of the Baklava that you made – it looks gorgeous!

    Rxx

    http://www.peppermintdolly.com

  33. June @ How to Philosophize with Cake says

    March 19, 2016 at 10:23 am

    If regular baklava is delicious, then this has to be over-the-top amazing! I love this idea 🙂

  34. Brian @ A Thought For Food says

    March 24, 2016 at 2:39 pm

    Homemade baklava? I’m definitely down with this! Looks freakin’ awesome!!!

  35. Sommer @aspicyperspective says

    March 31, 2016 at 5:57 am

    I can’t wait to try this but I will not promise that I will not eat the whole pan before the family gets home! Can’t wait to see this movie!

  36. Natasha @ Salt and Lavender says

    March 31, 2016 at 6:34 am

    Oh my… this looks amazing! And your photos are beautiful 🙂

  37. Ellie | fit for the soul says

    April 8, 2016 at 2:14 pm

    Ahhhhhh seriously LOVELOVELOVE this post! First off, hilarious poster and second, I’ve had only the greatest memories of watching MBFGW and every time I think of windex I chuckle to myself. Man, I’d love to have a family like that, albeit, I’d be annoyed at times, but it’s probably all worth it. 🙂 And this looks so delicious! i admit I’ve only had a FEW baklavas I’ve loved, and the most memorable one was at my romanian friend’s house. her grandma had made it from scratch and it was my first baklava encounter which happened in high school. *sigh* so many great memories! I need to make backlava soon!

  38. Laura says

    June 8, 2016 at 10:28 am

    What happened with your site? It’s been near impossible to read lately…all the ads popping up everywhere!!

  39. Lusi says

    June 21, 2016 at 2:41 am

    Chocolate Baklava is Yummy item that everyone should try. Chocolate is my favorite edible. music

  40. Amaryllis @ The Tasty Other says

    October 12, 2016 at 6:58 am

    I haven’t seen the movie, but your recipe really makes me wanna go see it! Thanks for the inspiration, Naomi, I’ll be making this very very soon!

  41. Ana says

    March 2, 2017 at 4:34 pm

    Baklava is not Greek. They use it but it’s origins are not Greek but middle eastern.
    I’ll definitely make the chocolate version, sans espresso powder.

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About Naomi Robinson

Welcome to my cozy corner where baking meets random thoughts and musings. I’m a self-taught baker sharing all things sweet (and some savory—okay, and cocktails) with a whisk in one hand and a camera in the other.

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