Peanut Butter Chocolate Shortbread Bars Food

PEANUT BUTTER SHORTBREAD BARS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat butter with sugar and egg yolk using an electric mixer for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
• In a separate bowl, blend together flour, baking powder and salt until well combined.
• Divide dough into two equal portions and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Freeze dough for 1-4 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350F.Line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper; set aside.
• Remove dough from freezer. Shred dough using a coarse grater of food processor fitted with a metal shredding blade; return one portion of shredded dough to the freeer.
• Arrange remaining dough in an even layer in the prepared baking dish; lightly pat dough down. Bake for 20 minutes or until lightly golden around edges; let cool for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, blend peanut butter with icing sugar and butter until smooth and well combined.
• Spread peanut butter mixture over shortbread base in an even layer.
• Drop teaspoonfuls of jam over peanut butter and gently spread in an even layer.
• Remove remaining dough from freezer and scatter over jam layer.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the top is set and lightly golden brown.
• Transfer pan to a wire rack and cool completely. Cut into bars.
• TIP: Try grape jelly or strawberry jam in place of the blueberry jam for a different flavour.

PEANUT BUTTER & CHOCOLATE SHORTBREAD BARS

Steps:

• Line a straight-sided 13x9-inch metal baking pan with foil, letting the ends create an overhanging edge for easy removal.
• In a medium bowl, stir together the butter, sugar, and salt. Stir in the flour and peanuts to make a stiff dough. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Prick the dough all over with a fork. Refrigerate the pan for 30 minutes (or freeze for 5 to 7 minutes), until the dough is firm.
• Meanwhile, position a rack near the center of the oven and heat the oven to 325°F.
• Bake the dough for 20 minutes, then decrease the oven temperature to 300°F and bake until the crust is golden-brown all over and completely set, 20 to 25 more minutes. Let the crust cool completely before topping.
• Put the peanut butter and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat on medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Add about half of the confectioners' sugar to the mixer along with the vanilla extract and 1 Tbs. hot water. Beat on low speed until combined, then on medium speed until smooth and fluffy, about 1 more minute. Beat in the remaining sugar and mix, about 1 more minute, until the mixture is smooth and thick, like frosting. If the filling seems too stiff, add another 1 Tbs. hot water and beat for another minute.
• With a knife or metal offset spatula, spread the filling over the fully cooled crust. The filling may not spread smoothly and evenly, but don't worry; the ganache will cover it.
• Put the chocolate in a small heat proof bowl. In a small saucepan, bring the heavy cream to a boil. Remove from the heat and pour over the chocolate. Let sit for 3 minutes. Stir gently with a rubber spatula until combined and smooth.
• Spread the ganache over the peanut-butter filling with a metal offset spatula to coat evenly. Let the bars sit at least 3 hours to allow the ganache to set before cutting (or refrigerate for 1 hour).
• Carefully lift the bars from the pan using the foil sides and transfer them to a cutting board. Separate the foil from the bars by sliding a spatula between them. Cut the bars into 1-1/2-inch squares.