Bloody Cut Dessert

This year I really wanted to create something really gruesome to serve at a friends Halloween party. I came up with this recipe that was insprired by my childhood arch enemy Freddy Krueger. He was the terror in my dreams when I was a younger, chasing after me with those razor sharp claws.

I took a spin on the basic recipe for baklava. It reminded me of skin with its many layers of phylio dough. Once baked it has the crispy look of baked skin!!

Enjoy 

Step 1:

What you will need:

Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) package phyllo dough
1 good amount of mixed chopped nuts
1 cup butter
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup water
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup honey
red and black gel food coloring
lime curd - for puss optional 

Step 2: Preheat Oven

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F(175 degrees C) 

Step 3: Chop Up the Nuts

Chop nuts and toss with cinnamon in a bowl then set aside. 

Step 4: Make the Simple Syrup

Boil sugar and water until sugar is melted. Add vanilla and honey. Simmer for about 20 minutes. Turn off heat then set aside and let cool. 

Step 5: Melt the Butter

Melt 2 sticks of butter. Once melted completely, butter the bottoms and sides of a 8x8 inch pan.

Step 6: Lay Out the Phyllo Dough

Unroll phyllo dough. Cut whole stack to fit the size of the pan. I just set the pan on top of the dough and cut around it to get the shape. Cover phyllo with a dampened cloth to keep from drying out as you work. Place two sheets of dough in pan, butter thoroughly. Repeat until you have 8 sheets layered in the bottom of the pan - this will be the base for the baklava. 

Step 7: Adding the Different Nutty Layers

Sprinkle 2 - 3 tablespoons of nut mixture on top. Top with two sheets of dough, butter, nuts, layering as you go. I had about 4 layers before I got to the last layer. My last layer I used Craisins Dried Cranberries to give a tart flavor. 

Step 8: Adding the Top Layer

The top layer should be about 6 - 8 sheets deep. Using a sharp knife cut into the skin either in a diamond or square shape all the way to the bottom of the pan. I cut the baklava into 5 long rows then turned the pan and cut again for a retangle shape. 

Step 9: Making the Deep Cuts in Skin

Using the same sharp knife - in each section make deep cuts or slashes on the tops of the skin ( baklava ) 

Step 10: Bake Till Golden Brown

Your oven should be ready now to put your skin in. Bake for about 50 minutes until baklava is golden and crisp. Watch it about every 15 mins so you do not burn the dish. 

Step 11: Pour on the Simple Syrup

Once you have removed the  baklava from oven and immediately spoon sauce over it. Let cool before you add your blood.

Step 12: Adding the Blood and the Puss

Here I just some lime curd in a plastic bag with the end cut off very small - my cheap verison of a pastry deco bag. This can be the puss. 

With a plastic knife and the gel food coloring, add some blood along the cut lines. I used black in the very center of the cut for a more dramatic look. 

Step 13: Finished!

Lastly I made the basic blood recipe out of karo syrup and red food coloring for the blood splatter on the plate. I placed the plate on the ground and stood on a chair letting gravity take over. With a spoon I just let the blood fall on the plate and slatter  - super easy. 

Once you have finished adding the bloody touch to all of your baked skin -  put them  on your grossed out plate then serve to your Halloween guest!!!!!! 

Hope you enjoy this treat.

lancmaltby
Halloween 2010