SALTED PECAN SHORTBREAD SQUARES

Salted Pecan Shortbread Squares image

My shortbread squares are the ultimate go-to for cookie trays and gift-giving. The buttery caramel and toasted nuts make it tough to eat just one. -Diana Ashcraft, Monmouth, Oregon

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 50m

Yield 4 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
FILLING:
3/4 cup unsalted butter, cubed
1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 cup dark corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups coarsely chopped pecans, toasted

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°. Line two 13x9-in. baking pans with foil, letting ends extend up sides of pan., Place flour, confectioners' sugar, cornstarch and salt in a food processor; pulse until blended. Add butter; pulse until butter is the size of peas. Divide mixture between prepared pans; press onto bottom of pans. Bake 10-12 minutes or until light brown. Cool on a wire rack., For filling, melt butter in a large saucepan. Stir in brown sugar, corn syrup and salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; cook and stir until sugar is completely dissolved, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in chocolate chips, cream and vanilla until smooth. Stir in pecans. Spread over crusts., Bake 12-15 minutes or until filling is bubbly. Cool completely in pans on wire racks. Using foil, lift the shortbread out of pans. Gently peel off foil; cut each shortbread into 24 bars. Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 201 calories, Fat 14g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 20mg cholesterol, Sodium 70mg sodium, Carbohydrate 18g carbohydrate (13g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 1g protein.