24sheets frozen phyllo (or filo) doughthawed in the refrigerator overnight
Instructions
Combine all syrup ingredients in a medium saucepan.
Bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil for 5 minutes.
Remove from heat and allow to cool.
Melt butter in the microwave or on the stove.
Once melted skim any milky substance off the top.
Pour clear portion of butter into a separate container.
Discard remaining milky substance at the bottom.
Heat oven to 350.
Unroll phyllo onto cutting board.
Cut dough to fit in 13x9 inch pan.
Cover any phyllo you aren't working with, with large dry towel.
Brush bottom of 13x9 inch pan with melted butter.
Lay 1 sheet of phyllo dough in pan.
Brush phyllo with butter.
Repeat with 11 more sheets of phyllo (so 12 layers of butter and phyllo on the bottom).
In a small bowl mix together the pecans, sugar, and mini chocolate chips for the filling. Evenly sprinkle filling onto phyllo in the bottom of the pan.
Top with remaining phyllo, brushing butter in between each layer as before.
Cut baklava into squares or diamonds, cutting all the way to the bottom ( about 1 ½ inch pieces).
Bake 25 minutes until golden brown.
Remove the pan from the oven.
Immediately pour cooled syrup evenly over the baked baklava.
Cool completely before serving.
Notes
Chopping the pecans very small and very uniformly will result in a much better filling.
Normal chocolate chips are just too big in this recipes in my opinion. The minis melt more evenly.