Baklava Bars

Being half Greek, I grew up eating baklava. Anyone who has ever made baklava knows that it is very time consuming and difficult at times because phyllo dough dries out so fast. I like these bars because they are so easy to make and are a fun little twist on traditional baklava. Enjoy!

Baklava Bars

2 packages refrigerated sugar cookie dough
1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1 box frozen mini phyllo shells, thawed and crumbled
1/3 cup Greek honey
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray a 9 x 13-inch pan with non-stick cooking spray. Press sugar cookie dough evenly in the bottom of the pan using your hands. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes. Remove from oven.
In a medium bowl, add walnuts, sugar, softened butter and allspice. Mix with a fork until well blended and crumbly. Sprinkle walnut mixture over the cookie crust. Sprinkle crumbled phyllo shells over the walnut mixture. Bake for an additional 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown.
In a small bowl, place honey, 2 tablespoons butter, brown sugar, lemon zest and lemon juice and microwave uncovered for 90 seconds or until bubble. Stir in vanilla. Drizzle honey mixture over the baklava bars. Let cook completely in the pan.

Footnote - Cut the bars into 9 large squares, then cut each square diagonally into 2 triangles.