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1
Bring all ingredients to boil in heavy small saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves.
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2
Continue boiling 1 minute.
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3
Cool completely.
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4
(Can be prepared up to 2 days ahead.
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5
Cover and store at room temperature.)
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6
Combine 8 ounces walnuts, 6 ounces chocolate, dates, sugar and cinnamon in processor.
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7
Coarsely chop using on/off turns.
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8
Transfer filling to medium bowl.
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9
Mix in egg.
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10
Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350F.
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11
Lightly butter 13 x 9 x 2-inch metal baking pan.
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12
Place 1 phyllo sheet on work surface (keep remainder covered with plastic and damp towel to prevent drying).
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13
Brush phyllo with butter.
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14
Top with second phyllo sheet and brush with butter.
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15
Arrange sheets buttered side up and lengthwise in prepared pan, covering bottom and ends of pan.
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16
Brush another phyllo sheet with butter.
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17
Fold phyllo in half forming 8 x 12-inch rectangle and brush with butter.
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18
Repeat with 2 more phyllo sheets.
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19
Place 3 folded phyllo sheets in bottom of pan, buttered side up.
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20
Sprinkle half of filling over.
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21
Butter another phyllo sheet and fold in half.
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22
Butter top and place atop filling.
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23
Sprinkle remaining filling over.
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24
Repeat buttering and folding with 3 more phyllo sheets.
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25
Place atop filling.
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26
Butter last 2 phyllo sheets.
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27
Place lengthwise in pan, tucking in sides and ends of top and bottom sheets to enclose filling completely.
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28
Carefully cut through top layers of phyllo (do not cut through to filling) to form twenty-four 2-inch squares.
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29
Pour any remaining butter over.
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30
Bake until top is golden brown, about 45 minutes.
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31
Immediately spoon syrup over baklava.
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32
Cool completely.
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33
Cover and let stand at room temperature overnight.
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34
Melt 2 ounces chocolate and 1 tablespoon butter in heavy small saucepan.
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35
Dip walnut halves halfway into chocolate; shake off excess.
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36
Place on waxed paper and refrigerate until chocolate is set, about 30 minutes.
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37
(Can be prepared 1 day ahead.
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38
Cover walnuts with waxed paper.)
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39
Cut baklava into squares to platter.
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40
Place chocolate-dipped walnut half atop each square.
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41
Serve with whipped cream if desired.
