A bite of this stuff is so satisfying. An 8x8 pan lasts a long time. These are great one bite desserts to make for a party! I prefer to make shortbreads with cold butter and use a food processor to cut in the flour. I go back and forth on which caramel is better to use. The one below is the one that was included in the original recipe on Blue-Eyed Bakers. I've been trying out a few other caramel recipes. I think I like the one in the White Chocolate Caramel Brownie Cheesecake better, but I'm very torn.
Ingredients:
For the shortbread:
1/2 pound unsalted butter, cold
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup plus 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
For the caramel:
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
For the chocolate:
1 1/4 cups semi sweet chocolate, chopped
Preparation:
1. Make the shortbread. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Generously grease a 8 x 8 baking pan with butter. In a food processor, combine the butter, salt, and sugar and whip on medium speed until the butter becomes fluffy and white. Add the flour and cornstarch. Mix to incorporate. Pat the dough evenly into the pan. Bake for about 30 minutes, until the edges just begin to darken. The shortbread will remain white. Set aside to cool.
2. Make the caramel. In a saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and sweetened condensed milk and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Continue stirring and allow mixture to boil for another 5 minutes. Remove caramel from heat and stir vigorously for a few minutes. Pour over shortbread and allow to set up at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
3. For the chocolate, simply place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 45 seconds, then stir and continue to heat and stir at 20 second intervals until chocolate is completely melted. Pour chocolate over the caramel layer and spread evenly to cover. Chill to set the chocolate - about 30 minutes.
Ingredients:
For the shortbread:
1/2 pound unsalted butter, cold
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup plus 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
For the caramel:
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
For the chocolate:
1 1/4 cups semi sweet chocolate, chopped
Preparation:
1. Make the shortbread. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Generously grease a 8 x 8 baking pan with butter. In a food processor, combine the butter, salt, and sugar and whip on medium speed until the butter becomes fluffy and white. Add the flour and cornstarch. Mix to incorporate. Pat the dough evenly into the pan. Bake for about 30 minutes, until the edges just begin to darken. The shortbread will remain white. Set aside to cool.
2. Make the caramel. In a saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and sweetened condensed milk and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Continue stirring and allow mixture to boil for another 5 minutes. Remove caramel from heat and stir vigorously for a few minutes. Pour over shortbread and allow to set up at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
3. For the chocolate, simply place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 45 seconds, then stir and continue to heat and stir at 20 second intervals until chocolate is completely melted. Pour chocolate over the caramel layer and spread evenly to cover. Chill to set the chocolate - about 30 minutes.