Shortbread bars topped with tahini butterscotch and chocolate ganache are simply divine!
Makes: about 36
Difficulty: easy
Prep time: 15 min
Bake time: 25 min
Ingredients
Shortbread
1 c unsalted butter, softened
1/3 c sugar
1/3 c brown sugar
1 egg yolk
¾ t vanilla
½ t salt
2¼ c all-purpose flour *
Tahini Butterscotch
1¼ c brown sugar, packed
½ c butter, cut into chunks
¾ c heavy cream
1 t kosher salt
½ c tahini
1 t vanilla
Chocolate Ganache
2 c chocolate chips or chunks
½ c heavy cream
½ t vanilla
flake salt and sesame seeds, for garnish
Steps
Shortbread
Preheat oven to 350º. Line a 13×9” baking pan with parchment paper. Beat butter until creamed, approx. 3 min. Add sugars and beat until fluffy, 1 min more. Add egg yolk and vanilla, scraping down sides. Add flour gradually and sprinkle in salt. Do not overmix. Dough will be loose. Turn out into the pan and press evenly with hands until dough covers entire pan. Dock (poke) dough with a fork every ½” or so. Bake 25 min, until edges are lightly browned. Cool before adding caramel layer.
Tahini Butterscotch
In medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and brown sugar, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves, 3 min. Whisk in cream and salt. Bring to a boil and whisk constantly until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, 5 min. Remove from heat and stir in tahini and vanilla. Pour over shortbread and chill completely before adding chocolate ganache.
Chocolate Ganache
Combine chocolate and cream in a glass bowl and microwave in 30-sec intervals until completely melted together, stirring to combine. Add vanilla and pour evenly over butterscotch/shortbread, lifting and turning pan to spread chocolate. Chill completely. Cut into squares and top with scant pinch of flake salt and sesame seeds.
* To make this recipe gluten-free friendly, use gluten-free flour.
