Chocolate Fudge Filo

Serves 6

An elegant and ultra-rich dessert, this filo surprise will delight chocoholics. Save it for a celebratory occasion when you want to pull out all the stops.

Filling

3 oz. unsweetened chocolate
¼ cup hot water
6 Tbs. unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
3 extra-large eggs, room temperature, separated
1 cup granulated sugar
¼ cup flour
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Pinch salt

Filo

½ lb. filo (about 18 sheets)
Nonstick cooking spray or unsalted butter, melted, for brushing

Garnish

Confectioners’ sugar for dusting
Fresh berries such as raspberries or strawberries for garnish
Instant low-fat whipping cream for garnish, optional

To make Filling: Melt chocolate in double boiler over hot but not boiling water. Remove from heat. Using an electric beater, mix in hot water and butter. Stir in egg yolks, sugar, flour and vanilla. Set aside.
Beat egg whites and pinch salt until stiff. Mix some beaten egg whites into chocolate mixture. Fold chocolate into egg whites. Set aside.
Preheat oven to 350F. Spray 8×8-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
To make Filo: Remove 8 to 10 sheets filo from package, covering remaining filo with plastic wrap. Cut filo to fit pan. Spray every sheet or every other sheet with nonstick cooking spray, or brush with butter as you place them in pan. Spread chocolate mixture on top of filo layers. Remove another 10 to 14 sheets filo from package, and top filling with remaining filo, spraying or brushing sheets as before.
Bake for 40 minutes. Let cool about 1 hour before serving. Serve warm on individual plates dusted with confectioners’ sugar. Place each square in center of plate, dust with additional confectioners’ sugar, garnish with berries and squirt dollop of whipped cream on side, if using.