With buttery layers of crumbly shortbread, sticky caramel, and chocolate, these little treats. They’re a real sweet treat to delight your family, and they’re really easy to make, too. Begin by making the shortbread layer. Simply combine all of the dry ingredients in the bowl of a food processor. Chop to blend, then add the butter in chunks. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal, then add the ice water and egg yolk. Pulse until the dough comes together in wet clumps.
Immediately pour the caramel over the crust and let sit for about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, make the chocolate glaze by combining the chocolate pieces and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Cook in 20-second intervals, so as not to scorch the chocolate, stirring in between, until the chocolate is smooth and creamy. Spread the melted chocolate over the set caramel.
Chill the bars for about an hour, or until the chocolate is completely set. Then lift the bars out of the pan and cut into small squares.
Ingredients;
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off
- 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon ice water
- 1 large egg yolk
For the caramel layer - 1 (14-oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons golden syrup or dark corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Generous pinch salt
For the chocolate layer - 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, broken into small pieces, best quality
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions;
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9-inch square pan with aluminum foil, pushing the foil neatly into the corners and up the sides of the pan, using two pieces if necessary to ensure that the foil overlaps all edges.
- Spray the foiled pan with nonstick cooking spray or grease with butter.
- In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade, combine the flour, brown sugar, cornstarch, and salt; process until well combined and no lumps of brown sugar remain.
- Add the butter and pulse until a coarse meal form. Add the ice water and egg yolk and blend until moist clumps form.
- Dump the dough into the prepared pan and press with your fingers into an even layer.
- Pierce the dough all over with a fork and bake until golden, about 20 minutes. Set aside to cool.
For the caramel layer - Whisk the sweetened condensed milk, brown sugar, butter, golden syrup, vanilla, and salt together in a medium saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, the butter melts and the mixture comes to a boil.
- Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan and boil gently, whisking constantly, until the caramel is thick and the temperature registers 225 degrees F, about 6 minutes.
- Pour the caramel over the warm crust; cool for about 15 minutes, or until caramel is set.
For chocolate later - Place the chocolate and cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring in between until the chocolate is about 75% melted.
- Stir, allowing the residual heat in the bowl to melt the remaining chocolate, until smooth (if necessary, place the chocolate back in the microwave for a few more; just be sure not to overheat or the mixture will curdle).
- Spread the chocolate over the caramel layer. Refrigerate the bars until the chocolate is set, at least 1 hour.
- Using the foil overhang, lift the bars out of the pan and transfer to a cutting board. Cut into small squares and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
