"Honeyed Bacon" Baklava

The marriage of bacon with walnuts, cinnamon, and honey is perfect. To the unexpected, the first bite will give you a hint of something different. Second bite, mmmmm..... what is that? Third bite, this is so good!

Foodbuzz is asking featured publishers to come up with a unique recipe using bacon. Together with their newest Tastemaker, Denny's, they're celebrating one of life's greatest pleasures: BACON! And they are offering everyone a chance to win your post featured in the Flavor of the Month section, $500 cash, and a $100 Denny's gift card.

Right now at Denny's, it's BACONALIA, a celebration of all things bacon with brand spankin' new delicious bacon items like the new Bacon Maple Sundae, BBBLT Sandwich, Bacon Flapjacks and more. Bacon is no longer a side dish - it is king.

It's time to pull out the big (bacon) guns. Okay, how about  cookies? Been done. Cupcakes? Been done. Ice cream? Been done. Mmmm.... I haven't seen baklava yet. And I really think bacon would compliment the walnuts, cinnamon, and honey.

Makes 24 servings. Begin about 3 & 1/2 hours before serving or early in the day.

Recipe:

1 (16 ounce) package walnuts (4 cups) 

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 (16 ounce) package frozen phyllo, thawed

1 cup butter, melted

1 (12 ounce) jar honey

1 (16 ounce ) package of bacon, fried crisp

Directions:

1. In large bowl of food processor, add walnuts, bacon, sugar, and cinnamon. Pulse until walnuts and bacon are chopped; set aside. (Be sure to fry the bacon to a crispy stage. Then it will chop up finely and evenly.)

2. Cut phyllo into 13" by 9" rectangles. In greased 13" by 9" baking dish, place 1 phyllo sheet; brush with melted butter. Repeat with phyllo and butter to make 5 more layers, overlapping any small strips of phyllo to make rectangles, if necessary.

3. Over phyllo in baking dish, sprinkle 1 cup walnut mixture.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to make 3 more layers (4 layers total). Place remaining phyllo on top of last walnut layer; brush with butter.

5. With sharp knife, cut just halfway through layers in triangle or diamond pattern.

6. Bake in 300 degree oven for 1 hour and 25 minutes or until top is golden brown.

7. In small saucepan over medium-low heat, heat honey until hot but not boiling. Evenly spoon hot honey over hot baklava.

8. Cool Baklava in dish on wire rack at least 1 hour; cover with foil and let stand at room temperature until serving.

9. To serve, finish cutting, with a sharp knife, through layers to make triangles or diamonds.