Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Shortbread Candy Bars


Rich and buttery shortbread bars, covered in chocolate, and topped with candy bars. Truly the most decadent and indulgent cookie bars I have ever made. We ate them in record time. I've been thinking about them ever since.

You could make these anytime of year, but they were inspired by leftover Halloween candy. I made two batches of these bars for a party. I used Reese's cups, Reese's pieces, Butterfinger, M&M's, Kit Kats, Whoopers, Snickers and Milk Duds. The Reese's cups, as well as the Reese's pieces, the Butterfinger, and the M&M's were all favorites. The others were a bit cumbersome to eat, but we managed.

*photo credit

Shortbread Candy Bars adapted from Everyday Food October 2010 Issue
Makes 16 bars
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temp
3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
1-1/4 teaspoons coarse salt
2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2 cups assorted chocolate candies or roughly chopped candy bars (12 ounces)

Preheat oven to 350F. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter, brown sugar, and salt on medium-high until light and fluffy, 3 minutes. With mixer on low, add flour in three additions and beat until combined (dough will be crumbly). Press dough evenly into an 8-inch square baking dish. Bake until golden brown and firm, 30-35 minutes.

Scatter chocolate chips on top of shortbread. Bake until soft, 1 minute. With the back of a spoon, spread chocolate evenly over shortbread. Scatter candies over top. Let cool on a wire rack 30 minutes. Refrigerate briefly to set chocolate, then cut into 16 bars. (Store in an airtight container, at room temperature, up to 4 days.)

Notes/Results: Absolutely decadent, delicious, addictive, and satisfying. The perfect indulgence. These bars were very easy, but they do take a little bit of time. You could use one type of candy bar to decorate the entire pan, but I think they look prettiest when they are broken into 4 sections and each section is devoted to a different candy bar. It's always good to have a little variation. The shortbread was thick, dense, and somewhat rich with a butterscotch flavor. The scattered chocolate chips melted to perfection and created a wonderful chocolate coating over the shortbread. Top them with your favorite candy bar and you will be in heaven. (My favorite was the Reese's pieces.) Be sure they are cool and set before you cut them.
*Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart website

29 comments:

  1. Yum! I'll take a Reese's PB cup piece please and a Snickers. ;-) They all look wonderful--I love a good shortbread crust.

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  2. Hey Kim,

    They look lovely...Can i pick few!!:)

    Dr.Sameena@

    http://www.myeasytocookrecipes.blogspot.com

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  3. Wow! What a great way to use up all the leftover candy. And they're pretty too!

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  4. I'm so glad you made these, I cut this recipe out of the Everyday Food magazine. I'm happy to know they taste every bit as good as they look and sound!

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  5. YUM! Next year, I'm trying this...looks so fun and fattening..gotta love that combo ;)

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  6. I'm sure I could manage to eat a few of these myself :)

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  7. They are so pretty - I've been reading and enjoying all the posts about "leftover Halloween candy." Unfortunately, I don't know what "leftover Halloween candy" is!

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  8. I totally have the urge to hop on over to your house and gobble these up they look fab and lots of fun :D This is the kind of thing you might make for kids but end up eating them all yourself LOL
    *kisses* HH

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  9. What is this "leftover Halloween candy" you speak of?

    These look awesome, Kim. So vibrant and fun! Love the variety--something for everyone. I bet these would be a hit at parties.

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  10. This is the best way to use up Halloween candy Kim! I would eat far too many of them - they look simply irresistible!

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  11. I think the Reeces would definitely be my favorite as well. I can see why these wouldn't last long, especially with kids in the house. Mine would go nuts over these.

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  12. Next year I am buying Halloween candy. Knowing that I will have no trick or treaters. Just so that I can pretend I have leftovers and can bake these. Awesome.

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  13. What a great way to use up the candy. This would be perfect for the holidays with colored candies.

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  14. Oh this is a great recipe! Can't wait to make it. I love shortbread and candy well gosh it's a match made in heaven!

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  15. i want to dive headfirst into those bars, yuuuuummy! you really can't beat the candy/cookie combo.

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  16. Such a great use of the Halloween candy! These look awesome!

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  17. What a fun idea! I love how you made different candy sections. My kids would go crazy over this recipe!

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  18. You stopped me right in my tracks! Wow, my favorite candy on shortbread too. These candy bars would be gone in a heartbeat.

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  19. These bars are perfect for me. Half the time I can't decide if I want a cookie or a candy bar.

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  20. Kim – Oh…evil shortbread! I have such a hard time staying away from the Reeses and Butterfingers at work. And you know, all that leftover candy has been brought in…..that is a very creative way you used the candy. Nice job!

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  21. Momma's lil' baby loves shortbread, shortbread!

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  22. Oh, wow! I've been working this week, so I just got to see these beauties. How I'd love to try one (one of each, that is).

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  23. How delicious! I know these would not last in my home because I would eat them all!!!

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  24. These look delicious! Not good for me trying to reduce my sugar intake though!

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  25. OMG - those look totally decadent, but I bet they were heavenly - those would be lethal around me!
    Sue :-)

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  26. Oo these do sound delicious--shortbread & chocolate is a fabulous combo! And what a great way to use up odds and ends of candy!

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  27. Darn! Now I wish I hadn't thrown out all the Halloween candy!
    ~ingrid

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  28. I had to make these. I could not take enough photos of them. They are amazing!
    http://sowhatareyoumakingfordinner.blogspot.com/2010/11/shortbread-candy-bars.html

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