Thursday, November 20, 2014

Chocolate Pecan Pie Shortbread Cookie Bars


I scoured the internet for the perfect dessert to bring to my friend Lauren's Friendsgiving party.
Apple and Pumpkin pie were already covered, so I knew I wanted to do something with chocolate, but still festive. 
Enter: The pecan pie shortbread cookie bar - with chocolate!
Yum! These have a soft shortbread crust, and a traditional pecan pie filling is improved with chocolate chunks. Then, they are cut into cookie bars, for the perfect holiday party dessert!





Recipe
Adapted from: Tasty Kitchen
(I altered this to make a larger filling to crust ratio. I like these better with a thin crust, more like the original pie)

Ingredients:
For the Shortbread Crust:


1 heaping cup flour
1/3 cup sugar

1/2 cup (1 stick) cold butter, sliced into pieces
1 egg yolk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
cooking spray, or pat of butter to grease pan

For the filling:
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup light corn syrup
1 Tbsp bourbon or spiced rum (optional)
3 Tbsp butter, melted
2 tsp. vanilla extract
3 whole eggs
2 cups pecans, roughly chopped in halves and pieces
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips/chunks

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large food processor, combine flour and sugar. Leave processor on, and gradually add in the cold butter, one piece at a time, until mixture is slightly crumbly. Add egg and vanilla, and process until blended and dough begins to form.
(This can also be done in a stand mixer, or by hand.)
Press dough into the bottom of a 9” x 13” greased pan.



Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes, until partially cooked. 
Remove from oven to add filling.

While crust is baking,
In a medium bowl, combine the sugars, corn syrup, melted butter, bourbon, vanilla, and beaten eggs, and mix well to combine. Stir in the pecans.

First, sprinkle the chocolate chips directly over the warm crust.
Then, pour the filling mixture over the top.


Return to the oven and bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes until filling is set.
Filling is set as soon as the center isn’t jiggly.
Cool completely (OK, cut out a corner piece warm and eat it yourself, then cool completely), and slice into bars.







What is your favorite Thanksgiving or Holiday dessert recipe??


Check out some other great Holiday party treats here!

Maple Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie

Espresso Truffles

Caramel Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Blondie Squares

Chai Spiced Mashed Sweet Potatoes



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