These brownie shortbread bars have a buttery, shortbread cookie layer, thick fudgy brownies, and rich dark chocolate ganache.
Instructions
Make the shortbread crust.
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line an 8×8 inch square baking dish with two sheets of parchment paper, so that they completely line the bottom and sides of the pan. Crease the paper at the top edges of the pan to help keep it in place.
In a bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt and vanilla. Add the butter and use a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the flour mixture until well incorporated, and the crumbs are moist and crumbly.
Dump the dough crumbs into the prepared pan. Spread out evenly in the pan, then use your hands to press the crumbs down firmly against the bottom of the pan.
Bake the crust on the center oven rack for 15 minutes, until pale golden brown. Set aside to cool slightly.
Reduce the oven temperature to 325 F.
Make the brownie layer.
While the crust is baking, you can start on the brownie batter. In a large saucepan, melt the butter and sugar over medium heat. Once it begins to bubble, cook for two minutes. Remove from the heat and use a wooden spoon to stir in the chocolate chips and vanilla until melted and shiny; the mixture will be grainy. Let cool for 10 minutes.
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until the mixture comes together into a smooth batter.
In a bowl, sift together the cocoa powder, flour, salt and espresso powder. Add the dry ingredients to the batter and mix just until no dry streaks remain. The batter will be thick but spreadable.
Spread the brownie batter evenly over the baked shortbread crust.
Bake at 325 F on the center oven rack for exactly 25 minutes – don’t over-bake! The brownies will be browned and crackled on top and slightly puffed. Cool the brownies completely.
Spread with chocolate ganache.
Finely chop the chocolate and scrape it into a bowl.Tip: Reserve 1-2 teaspoons of the chopped chocolate to sprinkle on top of the brownies for a pretty finish.
Measure the cream into a saucepan, and warm the cream over medium heat, just until hot and it begins to simmer around the edges. Remove from the heat and pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate.
Stir the ganache until the chocolate is melted, smooth and shiny.
Spread the ganache over the cooled brownies, using a knife or small offset spatula to swirl it around.
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