Bacon Baklava

• MAKE-AHEAD
• STAFF-FAVORITE

Ingredients

1. 1 1/2 pounds sliced bacon
2. 1 cup whole blanched almonds, toasted and coarsely chopped
3. 3/4 cup coarsely chopped dates
4. 1 package phyllo dough
5. 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
6. 1 1/2 cups sugar
7. 1 cup pure maple syrup
8. 1/2 cup water
9. 2 tablespoons bourbon
10. Finely grated zest of 1/2 orange

1. Preheat the oven to 400°. In a skillet, fry the bacon in batches until crisp. Drain well and crumble. In a food processor, finely chop the bacon with the almonds and dates.
2. Butter a 9-by-13-inch metal baking pan. Lay a sheet of phyllo in the pan; trim the edges to fit and brush with butter. Repeat with 4 more phyllo sheets and butter. Spread 1 cup of the filling evenly over the phyllo. Repeat this layering of 5 phyllo sheets and bacon filling two more times. Top with 5 buttered phyllo sheets, buttering the top well.
3. With a small, sharp knife, cut the baklava into diamonds. Bake the baklava for 10 minutes. Turn the oven to 325° and bake for 1 hour longer, or until nicely browned.
4. Meanwhile, combine the sugar, maple syrup, water, bourbon and orange zest in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer for 5 minutes, then let cool to room temperature. Pour the cooled syrup over the hot baklava and let stand at room temperature uncovered overnight.