Chocolate Baklava

Ingredients:

BAKLAVA:
One (16 ounce) package frozen phyllo dough, thawed
1 1/4 cups butter (no substitutes), melted
1 pound finely chopped walnuts
1 (12 ounce) package miniature semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel

SYRUP:
3/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup honey
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan.

2. Layer eight sheets of phyllo dough (one at a time) in pan, brushing each with butter before adding the next sheet. In a bowl, combine nuts, chocolate chips, sugar, cinnamon and lemon peel. Sprinkle 2 cups over top layer of phyllo.

3. Add four more sheets of phyllo dough (one at a time), brushing each with butter before adding the next. Top with 2 more cups nut mixture. Layer and brush four more sheets of dough with butter; top with remaining nut mixture. Top with the remaining dough, brushing each sheet with butter. Drizzle any remaining butter over top.

4. Using a sharp knife, cut baklava into 1-1/2-in. diamonds. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until golden brown. While baklava is baking, combine the syrup ingredients in a saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Pour over warm baklava. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack before you remove the pieces of baklava from the pan.