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Chocolate Caramel Shortbread Bars: A Sweet and Decadent Treat
If you’re in the mood for a dessert that combines buttery shortbread, rich caramel, and indulgent chocolate, look no further than Chocolate Caramel Shortbread Bars. These bars bring together three classic flavors in a way that’s both simple and utterly irresistible. Whether you’re planning a party, need a dessert for a family gathering, or just want something sweet to enjoy with a cup of coffee, these bars are sure to impress.
In this article, we’ll walk you through how to make these delicious Chocolate Caramel Shortbread Bars, share tips for perfecting the recipe, and give you ideas for customizing this treat to suit your taste preferences.
Why You’ll Love Chocolate Caramel Shortbread Bars
- Layered Perfection: Each bite offers a perfect balance of buttery shortbread, gooey caramel, and silky chocolate.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples, this dessert is easy to whip up without any complicated techniques.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: These bars can be made ahead of time and stored for several days, making them perfect for entertaining or meal prep.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Whether you’re serving it to friends, family, or colleagues, these bars are always a hit. The combination of caramel and chocolate is universally loved!
Ingredients:
To make these mouthwatering Chocolate Caramel Shortbread Bars, you’ll need the following ingredients:
For the Shortbread Base:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
For the Caramel Layer:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
For the Chocolate Topping:
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (or milk chocolate chips for a sweeter option)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Shortbread Base
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease it lightly with butter.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, powdered sugar, and salt.
- Add the softened butter to the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms. You can use a hand mixer, stand mixer, or even mix by hand with a spatula. The dough should be crumbly but hold together when pressed.
- Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the shortbread base. Use a spatula to smooth it out so it’s even.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the shortbread is lightly golden. Once done, remove from the oven and set aside to cool while you prepare the caramel.
2. Make the Caramel Layer
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Stir in the brown sugar, sweetened condensed milk, and a pinch of salt. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly.
- Once the mixture begins to bubble, continue to cook for about 5-7 minutes, allowing the caramel to thicken slightly. Stir frequently to prevent burning.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour the warm caramel over the cooled shortbread base, spreading it out evenly with a spatula. Be careful, as the caramel may be hot!
- Let the caramel layer set for about 10 minutes while you prepare the chocolate topping.
3. Prepare the Chocolate Topping
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and butter.
- Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth.
- Pour the melted chocolate over the caramel layer, spreading it evenly with a spatula to cover the entire surface.
4. Chill and Set
- Place the pan in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours, or until the chocolate is completely set and firm to the touch.
- Once the bars are chilled and the layers have firmed up, remove them from the refrigerator and cut into squares or bars. The shortbread, caramel, and chocolate will have melded together to create the perfect bite.
