Brownie Pecan Shortbread Bars
Brownie Pecan Shortbread Bars. A layer of crumbly pecan short bread, a layer of gooey brownies, a layer of dark chocolate ganache…ALL topped with flaky sea salt. Super chocolatey, super delicious, super easy. You guys need these in your life !! Happy Saturday !!!
HAPPY SATURDAY GUYS !! Yes all capital letters are necessary because I am super excited about today. Not that it is super special or anything, but it's Saturday, the weather is beautiful, we have lots of fun foods were making, and we are obviously at the beach per the usual Saturday routine. Even though there is nothing super special about today, I am in the best mood and I am super happy.
I woke up early so my mom and I could go to our local farmers market. We picked up some produce, some homemade pasta, AND clams !! We are going to put them on the grill later and serve them with some melted clarified butter and grilled toasty bread. The ultimate beach appetizer that I am super excited about. Then I went to the gym and came home to make these delicious shortbread bars and margaritas of course. And since the weather is absolutely perfect I went to the beach and we got frozen drinks at our local beach bar. Frozen margs to be exact because we obviously need to keep the marg trend going for the day….SO much fun !!
Anyway now we are getting ready for happy hour, our delicious appetizers are on the grill, a fun dinner is ahead, and later these shortbread bars !! And maybeeeee a little out and about action at the bars tonight because it is Saturday night at the jersey shore after all.
But I am super excited about these shortbread bars. I have never made shortbread bars before and to be honest I don’t think I’ve really ever made any sort of brownie type recipe to share with you guys. I know I know…lame…because everyone loves brownies. I mean it’s kind of impossible not to love brownies, you know?!
These are a three layer bar which makes them even better than your average brownie. The bottom layer is a pecan shortbread. The second layer is the gooey brownie. AND the third layer is a creamy dark chocolate and hazelnut ganache. Sprinkle with a little flaky sea salt if you’re into some salty dark chocolate like me. This is my dream dessert bar you guys. It takes average brownies to the next level and I am loving it.
Well I am going to get back to my marg and get grilling. Stay tuned to see the appetizers on our Instagram stories !! Cheers to Saturday happy hours guys !!
Ingredients
For the Shortbread Layer
1 1/2 cups flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup chopped pecans
For the Brownie Layer
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup flour
For the Ganache Topping
4 ounces dark chocolate; finely chopped
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons chocolate hazelnut spread
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8x8 inch square baking dish with parchment paper
Make the shortbread layer. In a large bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, and salt. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the vegetable oil and pecans. Press the dough into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Bake for about 10 - 12 minutes.
Make the brownie layer. In another large bowl, whisk the oil, sugar, salt, and vanilla until combined. Add in the eggs, one at a time, and whisk to combine. Add the cocoa powder and flour. Whisk until the batter is smooth. Pour the batter over the shortbread layer and cook for another 25 - 30 minutes.
Remove from oven and let the brownies cool completely. Once they have cooled, make the ganache topping. Place the dark chocolate in a medium bowl. In a medium saucepan, heat the heavy cream until it begins to steam and bubbles form around the edges. Pour the heavy cream into the bowl with the chocolate and add the chocolate hazelnut spread. Spread the ganache over the brownie layer and chill in the fridge for about 1 hour or until ganache is set.
Serve sprinkled with flaky sea salt.
