Shortbread Brownies with Dulce de Leche and Ganache

Pecan Shortbread Brownies with Dulce de Leche and Ganache

Shortbread:

• • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar

  • 1/2 teaspoon coarse kosher salt

  • 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold

  • 1 egg yolk

Brownies:

• • 1 cup unsalted butter

  • 2 cups granulated sugar

  • 1 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder (Hershey's Special Dark)

  • 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt

  • 1 tablespoon vanilla

  • 4 eggs

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

Topping:

• • 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped

  • 4 ounces cream

  • Dulce de Leche

  • coarse salt

Preheat the oven to 325. Line a 9x13 baking pan with parchment paper so that the paper hangs over both sides. Spray with non-stick spray.

Make the Shortbread:

In your food processor, pulse the flour, sugar, salt and pecans until combined. Add the butter, a tablespoon at a time, then the egg yolk, and pulse until the mixture resembles moist cornmeal. Dump the crumbs into the pan and press firmly against the bottom of the pan. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes.

Make the Brownies:

Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, cocoa powder and salt. Pour the melted butter over the cocoa mixture and beat vigorously with a wooden spoon until smooth. Add the vanilla, and the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each egg; batter will be thick. Stir in the flour, just until moistened.

Remove the pre-baked crust from the oven. Dollop the brownie batter over the hot crust and use a non-stick spatula to spread it out, being careful not to tear the crust.

Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist, sticky crumbs clinging to it. Cool completely on a wire rack.

To make the ganache, finely chop the chocolate and place in a small bowl. Pour the cream into a small saucepan and warm gently over medium low heat just until it simmers around the edges. Pour over the chocolate and let stand for 3 minutes, then stir with a spatula until smooth. Pour the ganache over the brownies and smooth out with a spatula. Let stand for about an hour, or until set (placing them in the fridge for a few minutes will speed up this step).

Decorating:

Remove the brownies from the pan by lifting them out by the parchment paper overhang. Set on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut into bars.

Scoop the Dulce de Leche into a piping bag fitted with a small round tip and pipe over each brownie. Sprinkle with the coarse salt.

Yields about 25-30 brownies

Recipe from Curly Girl Kitchen