Author Notes
The addition of maple, honey, toasted pecans and dark chocolate
infuses complex flavors and crunch to the traditional caramel shortbread bars. —Bohdanna
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Ingredients
- Shortbread Crust
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2 1/2 cups
flour, unbleached, sifted and all purpose
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12 tablespoons
butter, unsalted, chilled and diced into small cubes
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1 cup
sugar
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1/4 teaspoon
salt
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2 pieces
egg yolks
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2 tablespoons
milk
- Caramel filing and chocolate glaze
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1/2 cup
MAPLE SYRUP, pure, light grade
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1/4 cup
honey
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1/4 cup
brown sugar
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12 tablespoons
butter, unsalted, chilled, cut into small cubes
-
1 teaspoon
maple extract
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1 teaspoon
vanilla extract
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1 cup
pecans, toasted, chopped
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12 ounces
bitersweet good quality dark chocolate, chopped
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6 ounces
whipping cream, heavy, chilled
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20 pieces
pecans, whole for garnish
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1 tablespoon
sea salt coarse -optional garnish
Directions
- Shortbread Crust
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter well ad 12 by 9 metal or glass pan.
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In a food processor, blend the flour, sugar and salt and then add the butter and mix until crumbly.l
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Mix the egg yolks with the milk, and add to the flour mixture with the motor running, and pulsing. Blend until mixed to a crust consistency.
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Bake in the preheated oven about 25 minutes, or when golden.
Remove from oven and retain in pan.
- Caramel filing and chocolate glaze
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In a heavy medium pan over medium heat, mix the condensed milk, maple syrup, brown sugar, honey, butter, maple extract and vanilla and heat until mixture comes to a boil.
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Gently boil until rises to 225 degrees F. whisking continually and turns golden and thick.
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Remove from heat and pour over the crust and spread evenly.
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Sprinkle chopped pecans over the caramel filing.
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In a microwave safe container, add bittersweet dark chocolate and heavy cream, and microwave at 20 second intervals until chocolate melts, but do not overheat. Mix until smooth, and pour over the caramel filing.
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Spread the chocolate filing even and you can garnish with nuts.
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Place in refrigerator for at least an hour to set.
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Cut into 4 by 2 inch rectangles or another size you like and sprinkle with sea salt if desired.
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