Baiadera

Makes about 16 pieces of Authentic Croatian

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minute

INGREDIENTS:

7 ounces butter biscuits (like Petite Beurre)

1 1/2 cups walnuts or blanched, peeled almonds

1 1/4 cups sugar

4 ounces (1 stick) butter

1/4 cup water

3 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate

GLAZE:

3 1/2 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate

3 tablespoons sugar

3 tablespoons water

3 ounces (6 tablespoons) butter

Preparation:

Place butter biscuits, like Petite Beurre, and nuts in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until finally ground. Transfer to a large bowl.

In a heatproof bowl, microwave 1 1/4 cups sugar, 4 ounces butter and 1/4 cup water until dissolved. Stir completely. Add to biscuit-nut mixture and mix until well combined. Divide in half.

In a heatproof bowl, melt 3 ounces chocolate and stir into half the biscuit-nut mixture.

You will end up with three layers plus the glaze. Using slightly dampened fingers, spread half the plain biscuit-nut mixture in an even layer into the bottom of an 8-inch square pan.

Again, using slightly dampened fingers, spread the entire chocolate biscuit-nut mixture in an even layer. I used milk chocolate because that's what I had on hand. If you use semisweet chocolate, it will be darker and the layers more distinct. Then, again working with slightly dampened fingers, spread the remaining plain biscuit-nut mixture in an even layer on top.

To Make the Glaze: In a heatproof bowl, melt 3 1/2 ounces chocolate, 3 tablespoons sugar and 3 tablespoons water. Stir well and gradually add the 3 ounces of butter, stirring until completely smooth. Pour over torte and let cool. Refrigerate to make the cutting easier. This is very rich and sweet, so small rectangles or squares will do nicely. Dobar tek! (Bon appetit!)