TAHINI BILLIONAIRE BARS

Tahini Billionaire Bars image

We took millionaire bars-shortbread plus caramel plus chocolate-and gave them an upgrade (hence, billions) with sesame seeds and tahini. The shortbread is tender, the filling is gooey, and the chocolate ties it all together.

Provided by Sarah Jampel

Categories Bon Appétit Bake Dessert Cookies Sesame Chocolate Butterscotch/Caramel Vegetarian Soy Free Tree Nut Free Peanut Free Kid-Friendly

Yield Makes 25-36

Number Of Ingredients 17

Ingredients

Shortbread:
Nonstick cooking oil spray or vegetable oil (for pan)
1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
¾ cup (83 g) powdered sugar
⅓ cup toasted sesame seeds
¾ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt
½ cup (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into (½") pieces
2 large egg yolks
Butterscotch and assembly:
1¼ cups (packed; 250 g) light brown sugar
½ cup (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 8 equal pieces
¾ cup heavy cream
2 tsp. Diamond Crystal or 1 tsp. Morton kosher salt
½ cup tahini
1 tsp. vanilla extract
6 oz. bittersweet chocolate (65%-75% cacao), coarsely chopped
Toasted sesame seeds (for serving)

Steps:

Shortbread:
Place a rack in middle of oven; preheat to 350°F. Lightly coat a 9x9" or 8x8" baking pan, preferably metal, with nonstick spray. Line with parchment paper, leaving overhang on all sides. Whisk flour, powdered sugar, sesame seeds, and salt in a medium bowl. Add butter and toss to coat. Using your hands, work in butter until pieces are about pea-size. Using a rubber spatula, mix in yolks. (Dough should hold together when squeezed.)
Scrape dough into prepared pan and gently press into an even layer (lightly flour your hands if needed). Prick dough with a fork in several spots (this will help it stay flat as it bakes).
Bake shortbread until golden brown, 24-28 minutes (or up to 35 minutes if using a glass dish). Let cool slightly.
Butterscotch and assembly:
While the shortbread is cooling, heat brown sugar and butter, whisking constantly, in a heavy medium saucepan over medium until butter is melted and sugar is dissolved, about 3 minutes. Whisk in cream and salt. Bring to a boil and cook, whisking constantly, until butterscotch is thick enough to coat a spoon (bubbling will become less frequent), about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, add tahini and vanilla and whisk until incorporated and smooth.
Pour butterscotch over shortbread and tilt pan to distribute evenly. Chill until set, 30-40 minutes.
Melt chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave in 40-second increments, stirring between bursts. (Alternatively, place chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of gently simmering water; bowl should not touch water. Heat, stirring often, until melted and smooth.) Pour over butterscotch and spread evenly to edges of pan; sprinkle with sesame seeds. Chill until chocolate is firm, 1-2 hours.
Using parchment paper overhang, pull bars out of pan and set on a cutting board; remove parchment. Using a serrated knife, slice into 25-36 pieces (5-6 cuts in each direction). Bring to room temperature before serving.
Do Ahead: Bars can be made 4 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.