To toast the coconut and pecans for the topping, spread in separate pans and bake in a 350° oven for 5-10 minutes or until light golden brown.
Cutting the Edges
With sharp kitchen scissors, make 4-1/2-inch-long cuts from the edge to the center on each long side of the stacked phyllo sheets. Space the cuts 1 inch apart.
Making the Braid
Spoon the filling in a 3-inch-wide band down the center. To give the appearance of a braid, crisscross the strips at an angle over the filling and across each other.