Rich Brownie Shortbread Bars with Ganache Recipe: A Sweet Treat

Decadent brownie shortbread bars with ganache promise a luxurious dessert adventure that melts effortlessly on your palate.

Sweet layers intertwine like a delicious symphony of textures and flavors.

Buttery shortbread creates a crisp foundation for rich chocolate brownie goodness.

Silky ganache crowns this indulgent treat with glossy elegance.

Chocolate lovers will find themselves captivated by the intricate balance of crisp and creamy elements.

Each bite delivers a complex dance of sweetness and depth.

Dive into this irresistible recipe and let your taste buds celebrate pure bliss.

Brownie and Shortbread in One Sweet Bite

• Layered Luxury: Indulge in a decadent dessert that combines the buttery richness of shortbread with the intense chocolate goodness of brownies, creating a multi-textured treat that delights every bite.
• Foolproof Perfection: Designed for bakers of all skill levels, this recipe offers simple steps and basic ingredients, ensuring even novice cooks can achieve professional-looking results with minimal effort.
• Crowd-Pleasing Showstopper: Elevate any gathering with these elegant bars that work brilliantly for potlucks, family celebrations, or when you want to impress friends with a homemade dessert that looks and tastes gourmet.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare these bars in advance and store in the refrigerator, making them an ideal dessert for busy hosts who want to minimize last-minute kitchen stress while still serving something extraordinary.

Brownie Shortbread Ganache Bars Ingredients

• Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create a crisp base.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with texture.
• All-Purpose Flour: Creates the classic shortbread structure.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor.

• Butter: Adds moisture and richness.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with brownie texture.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and create structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth of flavor.
• Cocoa Powder: Gives deep chocolate taste.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure.
• Salt: Balances and enhances chocolate flavor.

• Heavy Cream: Creates smooth, glossy chocolate topping.
• Chocolate: Provides rich, decadent chocolate layer.

Brownie Shortbread Bars Assembly Guide

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Space

Crank up the oven to a toasty 350°F. Grab a 9×9-inch pan and line it with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over for easy removal later.

Step 2: Create the Buttery Shortbread Base

• Softened butter
• Sugar

• Flour
• Pinch of salt

Press the mixture evenly into the pan’s bottom. Slide into the oven and bake until it turns a beautiful golden color, about 20 minutes. Let it cool down slightly.

Step 3: Craft the Rich Brownie Layer

• Melted butter
• Sugar

• Eggs
• Vanilla extract

• Cocoa powder
• Flour
• Salt

Blend until just combined. Pour this luscious mixture over the shortbread base. Bake for 25-30 minutes until set. Allow to cool completely.

Step 4: Drizzle with Silky Ganache

• Chopped chocolate

Let it sit for a minute, then stir until beautifully smooth and glossy. Pour the ganache over the cooled brownie layer. Pop into the refrigerator and let it set for about 2 hours.

Step 5: Slice and Serve

Cut into squares and watch everyone’s eyes light up with delight!

Good Advice for Shortbread Ganache Bars

• Master Your Butter Temperature: Ensure butter is softened but not melted for both shortbread and brownie layers to achieve the perfect texture and consistency.
• Prevent Dry Brownies: Do not overmix the brownie batter and check doneness early to keep the center moist and fudgy.
• Create Clean Cuts: Chill the bars completely before slicing and use a warm, clean knife wiped between cuts for neat, sharp edges.
• Balance Chocolate Intensity: Use high-quality dark or semi-sweet chocolate for ganache to control sweetness and enhance rich flavor profiles.
• Line Pan Perfectly: Use parchment paper with slight overhang for easy removal and clean bar presentation without sticking.

Brownie Shortbread Ganache Bars: Storage Tips To Know

• Store bars in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days for maximum freshness and flavor preservation.
• Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months without losing texture or taste quality.
• Transfer frozen bars to the refrigerator overnight for gentle, even defrosting. Bring to room temperature before serving for best results.
• Warm bars briefly in the microwave at 50% power for 10-15 seconds, or let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to soften ganache and restore original texture.

Brownie Shortbread Bars Match Guide

• Savor with Port Wine: Complement the rich chocolate ganache with a sweet, fortified Portuguese port wine. Its deep berry notes and smooth texture create a luxurious flavor harmony that elevates the dessert's decadent chocolate profile.
• Match with Espresso: Brew a bold, dark espresso that cuts through the bar's sweetness. The intense coffee's bitter undertones perfectly balance the rich chocolate ganache and buttery shortbread base, creating a sophisticated taste experience.
• Pair with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Serve a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream alongside the bars. The cold, smooth vanilla provides a delightful contrast to the dense, warm chocolate layers, refreshing your palate between bites.
• Accompany with Raspberry Coulis: Drizzle a tart raspberry sauce around the plate. The bright, fruity acidity of the coulis helps cut through the dessert's richness, adding a vibrant, fresh dimension to each luxurious bite.

Brownie Bar Flavor Ideas

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free blend in both shortbread and brownie layers. Use certified gluten-free chocolate for ganache.
• Vegan Alternative: Swap butter with coconut oil, eggs with flax eggs, and use dairy-free dark chocolate. Choose plant-based cream for ganache.
• Low-Sugar Option: Substitute sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia in brownie and shortbread layers. Use dark chocolate with minimal added sugar for ganache.
• Nut-Enhanced Variation: Add chopped walnuts or pecans to brownie batter for extra crunch. Sprinkle toasted nuts on top of ganache for added texture and flavor.

FAQs

• How do I know when the shortbread base is done baking?

Look for a golden color around the edges and a slightly firm texture. It should be light golden, not dark brown, which indicates it’s perfectly baked.

• Can I use different types of chocolate for the ganache?

Yes, you can use milk, dark, or semi-sweet chocolate based on your preference. Just ensure it’s high-quality chocolate for the best flavor and smooth texture.

• What's the best way to cut these bars cleanly?

Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between each cut. For the cleanest slices, refrigerate the bars for about 30 minutes before cutting to help the ganache set firmly.

• Is it important to sift the dry ingredients for the brownie layer?

Absolutely! Sifting helps break up any lumps in cocoa or flour, ensuring a smoother, more consistent brownie texture and preventing dry pockets in the batter.

Brownie Shortbread Bars With Ganache Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Rich, chocolatey Brownie Shortbread Bars with Ganache blend crumbly shortbread and fudgy brownie layers into an irresistible dessert. Chocolate enthusiasts will savor each luxurious bite of this decadent treat that perfectly balances crisp and creamy textures.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup (100g) sugar

Finishing Ingredients:

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Create a foundational shortbread layer by blending softened butter with sugar until airy and pale. Gently fold in flour and a pinch of salt, mixing until a cohesive dough forms.
2. Press the shortbread mixture uniformly into a parchment-lined 9×9-inch baking pan, ensuring an even surface and smooth edges.
3. Bake the shortbread base in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 20 minutes, watching for a delicate golden hue across the surface.
4. While the shortbread cools, prepare the brownie layer by whisking melted butter with sugar until thoroughly integrated.
5. Incorporate eggs and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, stirring until the consistency becomes smooth and glossy.
6. Sift cocoa powder, flour, and salt directly into the wet ingredients, folding gently to create a rich, dark batter without overmixing.
7. Pour the brownie mixture over the slightly cooled shortbread base, spreading carefully to achieve complete coverage.
8. Return the pan to the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, ensuring the center is set but still maintains a slight fudgy texture.
9. Allow the brownie layer to cool completely at room temperature, which helps develop deeper flavor and stable structure.
10. For the ganache, warm cream until it reaches a gentle simmer, then immediately remove from heat.
11. Add finely chopped chocolate to the hot cream, letting it rest momentarily to encourage melting, then stir until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
12. Drizzle the glossy ganache over the cooled brownie layer, tilting the pan to ensure complete and even coverage.
13. Refrigerate the dessert for approximately 2 hours, permitting the ganache to set and the layers to meld into a decadent, multi-textured treat.

Notes

• Ensure butter is at room temperature for smoother shortbread base mixing and better texture.
• Use high-quality cocoa powder and chocolate for richer, more intense flavor profile.
• Line pan with parchment paper with overhang for easy removal and clean cutting of bars.
• For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend in both shortbread and brownie layers.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 211
• Sugar: 8.3 g
• Sodium: 0.2 mg
• Fat: 15.8 g
• Saturated Fat: 9.4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6.4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 19.2 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1.7 g
• Cholesterol: 41 mg