PINE NUT CARAMEL SHORTBREAD

Pine Nut Caramel Shortbread image

"I have a love affair with pine nuts and decided to use them in place of pecans in a friend's caramel bar recipe. I think you'll like the results as well as my family does." -Dara Michalski, Sandy, Utah

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 50m

Yield 4 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
FILLING:
3/4 cup butter, cubed
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups pine nuts
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Coarse salt, optional

Steps:

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Pat onto the bottom of a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Prick dough thoroughly with a fork., Bake at 375° for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Reduce temperature to 325°., In a large saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, honey, sugar, cream and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until a candy thermometer reads 234° (soft-ball stage). Remove from the heat; stir in pine nuts and vanilla. Spread evenly over crust., Bake for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly. Place pan on a wire rack., Sprinkle the top with coarse salt if desired. Cool completely. Cut into bars. Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 167 calories, Fat 10g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 20mg cholesterol, Sodium 103mg sodium, Carbohydrate 17g carbohydrate (11g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 2g protein.