Chocolate-Pecan Shortbread Bars Recipe

Chocolate and nuts by no means exit of favor, and these deeply satisfying shortbread bars are proof as a result of they’re straightforward to make but spectacular sufficient for a crowd. Shortbread — a conventional Scottish biscuit — makes use of simply three or 4 components, and its excessive fat-to-flour ratio delivers the signature crumbly, buttery chunk that made it beloved effectively past Scotland.

Right here, a four-ingredient crust — unsalted butter, powdered sugar, all-purpose flour, and a pinch of salt — bakes till flippantly golden then meets a shiny layer of bittersweet 60% cacao chocolate enriched with darkish brown sugar, extra butter, mild corn syrup, and a splash of cream. Crushed eggs set the topping right into a fudgy, trufflelike layer, whereas finely chopped pecans add mild crunch and flaky sea salt retains each chunk balanced. Utilizing powdered sugar within the crust helps it dissolve shortly into the butter, yielding a very tender base. Bittersweet chocolate plus darkish brown sugar brings a mochalike depth that tempers the richness with out muting pure chocolate satisfaction. After baking, the facilities keep barely comfortable — someplace between a wealthy chocolate chess pie and a fudgy brownie. For extra concentrated nuttiness, toast the pecans earlier than folding them into the topping.

No particular tools is required past a meals processor for the dough: Just a few fast pulses type the crust, and a mild stovetop soften brings the topping collectively. With about half-hour of energetic time, the bars bake to a comfortable set, then chill for clear slices. Pack them on vacation dessert trays, deliver them to potlucks, or wrap them as edible items.

One of the best ways to soften chocolate

The double-boiler technique is essentially the most conventional method to soften chocolate. This technique makes use of oblique warmth, which permits the chocolate to soften evenly with out scorching. To soften a small quantity of chocolate shortly with out a double boiler, utilizing a microwave is one other good method to soften chocolate that possibility — it requires much less setup and fewer dishes. With a microwave, the secret is to warmth the chocolate briefly bursts fairly than lengthy intervals to keep away from scorching. Microwave on 50% energy in 15- to 20-second intervals, stirring effectively between every burst, till the chocolate is usually melted. The residual warmth will proceed to soften the chocolate as you stir. 

Can mild brown sugar be substituted for darkish brown sugar? 

Usually, mild and darkish brown sugar are interchangeable in recipes in a 1:1 ratio. Darkish brown sugar comprises extra molasses than mild brown sugar, and the acidity in molasses can react with chemical leaveners like baking powder or baking soda. As a result of this recipe has no leaveners, swapping in mild brown sugar for darkish brown sugar received’t have an effect on the feel — it is going to merely yield a barely milder topping with much less caramel taste. When you substitute mild brown sugar on this recipe, proceed to pack the brown sugar within the measuring cup for a constant measurement. 

Notes from the Meals & Wine Check Kitchen

• Use a sheet of plastic wrap to simply and effectively unfold the comfortable, sticky dough with out making a large number of your fingers. 
• Preserve your chocolate combination over low warmth, and stir continually. Too-high warmth could cause your chocolate to interrupt or seize.
• To accentuate the chocolate taste, add a small quantity of effective on the spot espresso powder to the chocolate topping. 

This recipe was developed by Tanya Holland; the textual content was written by Andee Gosnell.