Millionaire's Shortbread

My 100th post!! I thought the occasion called for something special, something I've never baked before. Millionaire's Shortbread is the perfect treat to celebrate my 100th post. Basically, it's homemade Twix bars. Big on the YUM factor. I used Joy of Baking's recipe. You really can't go wrong with anything on her site!

You will need:

1 1/2 sticks butter (the real thing, no Smart Balance today)
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups King Arthur all-purpose flour (no white whole wheat today either)
1/8 tsp salt
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14 oz Dulce de Leche
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6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate
1 tsp butter (*note on this later)



Preheat oven to 350 and grease a 9-inch square baking dish.

I thought about using some of my Belgium chocolate, but I only have milk and dark and, well, can't bring myself to open the packages yet. I know that once I do it will be gone! :)

Cream together the sugar and butter until light and fluffy.



Then beat in the vanilla and salt. Gradually add the flour in 1/2 cup increments and mix until just combined. After the last 1/2 cup of flour I turned off the mixer and used a spatula.



Press the dough into your greased pan. Joy of Baking does not call for it, but shortbread is usually pricked with a fork before baking. Up to you if you want to do it or not. I did. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.






I used the rest of my Dulce de Leche leftover from my brownies. I don't think I had quite 14oz. More like one cup. But it worked! Melt it in the microwave for a minute or so, or just leave it on top of the stove while the shortbread bakes like I did. After the shortbread cools, pour the Dulce on top and place in the fridge to set.



Melt the chocolate and 1tsp butter in a double boiler. Or the microwave--but be careful that you don't scorch the chocolate. Melting chocolate in the microwave worries me, so I melt it on the stove. No need for a real double boiler, though. Just a metal bowl over a pot of simmering water will do. (*note: my chocolate seized the first time and I had to start over. The second time I did not add the butter. I think it was because my butter was cold. Make sure your butter and chocolate are room temperature before melting.)







When the Dulce is set, pour the chocolate over the top. Let it set for a few minutes and then cut into squares. You want to cut it before the chocolate hardens.



Tink said, "tastes like a Twix," which is high praise from her since Twix bars are her favorite candy bar. The shortbread is tender, the chocolate adds just the right amount of sweetness, and the Dulce...well, the Dulce is perfection. I am SO glad I didn't make these while I was home alone. I seriously would have eaten the entire dish by myself. And then not felt guilty at all. :)




Big thank you to Joy of Baking for posting the recipe! Enjoy!!



my recipe card: