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    Home » My Latest Recipes

    Shortbread Caramel Almond Bars Recipe

    May 9, 2022 · 1 Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Shortbread Caramel Chocolate Bars with Almonds

    These Shortbread Caramel Almond dessert bars are a wonderful combination of a crunchy shortbread base and a creamy caramel topping with toasted almonds. Add a sprinkling of sea salt to the top of the caramel and you have the perfect sweet and salty treat.

    chocolate almond shortbread bars from dessertswithstephanie.com

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to the terms page for more information.

    These Almond Bars with a Shortbread Crust are simple to make and do not require the use of a candy thermometer. Just keep an eye on the color of the caramel as you are making it and don't walk away in the middle of it!

    Cut the bars any size you want but be warned they pack a lot of sweetness from the caramel topping.

    full pan of caramel almond shortbread bars

    Tips for Making the Perfect Shortbread Caramel Almond Bars

    Prepare the pan:

    • The bars are made in a 8" square pan. To make removal of the dessert easier consider cutting two strips of parchment paper 8" x 12", butter or spray the bottom and sides of the pan. Place the two strips crossing each other so the paper extends beyond the top of the pan. After the shortbread bars finish setting you simply pull upward on the paper and it will easily remove from the pan.
    how to line a cake pan from dessertswithstephanie.com

    Ingredient Tips:

    • Bring your butter to room temperature before starting the shortbread base. This will allow the butter and sugar to aerate better.
    • This is a shortbread crust so it will not be formed into a wet dough. It will be crumbles similar to Figure A below. Distribute the dough evenly in the pan and press it down lightly with your hands.
    shortbread dough in baking pan
    Figure A

    Making the Caramel for the Shortbread Cookie Bars

    • Measure all of the ingredients needed for making the caramel before starting. This process will go quickly and you don't want to be searching for something while your caramel burns!
    • Start by combining sugar, expresso (or strongly brewed coffee) and corn syrup in a heavy bottomed saucepan.
    • Begin heating over medium-high heat and stir briefly to combine. Keep a glass of water and a pastry brush nearby and use this to wash down any sugar granules that form on the side of the pan.
    • Stop stirring once the sugar mixture starts to boil. Keep an eye on the pot and don't walk away for too long as the syrup can change quickly. As soon as it turns an amber color (see Figure B) change the heat setting to low, add the butter and heavy cream. Take a step back when you do this as the mixture may sputter and, trust me, it is hot!
    • Stir the caramel until the butter is melted. Remove from the heat, add the chocolate and stir until the chocolate is melted. Stir in the sea salt.
    • Pour the caramel over the cooled shortbread base and sprinkled with almonds. Optionally sprinkle a dash of sea salt over the top of the treat.
    pan with boiling sugar
    Figure B - Amber Caramel

    FAQs:

    What is shortbread?

    For a fun read on the history of shortbread, consider reading this article by British Food.

    How should the shortbread almond bars be stored.

    These Almond Caramel Shortbread Bars may be stored at room temperature. The bars should be placed in an airtight container. Place the container in the fridge if your room is warm (over 75 degrees F).

    shortbread almond cookie bars from dessertswithstephanie.com

    Caramel Almond Shortbread Bars

    A crunchy chocolate base topped with smooth caramel and toasted almonds.
    5 from 16 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Course Dessert
    Servings 12

    Equipment

    • Stand Mixer or
    • Hand Mixer
    • 8" Square Pan

    Ingredients
      

    Shortbread

    • 120 Grams all-purpose flour (1 Cup)
    • 22 Grams Cocoa Powder, unsweetened (¼ Cup)
    • 65 Grams Butter, room temperature (1 stick / 8 Tablespoons)
    • 66 Grams Granulated Sugar (⅓ Cup)
    • ½ teaspoon Expresso Powder

    Caramel Almond Topping

    • 200 Grams Granulated Sugar (1 Cup)
    • 2 tablespoon Brewed Expresso, cooled
    • 1 tablespoon Corn Syrup (light or dark)
    • 4 Fluid Ounces Heavy Cream (½ Cup)
    • 30 Grams Butter, cut into cubes (2 Tablespoons)
    • 60 Grams Chocolate, bittersweet (⅓ Cup)
    • ½ Cup Sliced or Slivered Roasted Almonds
    • ½ teaspoon Sea Salt

    Instructions
     

    Prepare 8" Square Baking Pan

    • Cut two 8" x 12" strips of parchment paper. Spray pan with nonstick baking spray and place strips in bottom of pan so the parchment extends over the four pan sides.

    Shortbread

    • Preheat oven to 350°
    • Combine expresso powder, cocoa and all-purpose flour in a small bowl
    • Using a hand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment mix the butter and sugar until light and creamy (2 - 3 minutes), scraping side of bowl as needed.
    • Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the expresso/flour mixture/cocoa to the mixing bowl. Mix on the lowest speed for 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix for another 2 minutes.
    • The mixture should look sandy. If there are large chunks of butter in the bowl, mix on low for another minute or two.
    • Pour the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan. Using your hands, lightly press the dough down so it evenly covers the pan.
    • Bake for 20 - 22 minutes.
    • Let cool completely before adding topping.

    Caramel Almond Topping

    • Place sugar, expresso and corn syrup in a heavy-bottomed saucepan.
    • Begin heating over medium-high heat, stir ingredients to combine taking care not to get any sugar on side of saucepan.
    • Mixture will begin to boil. Stop stirring and let syrup boil until it turns an amber color. Immediately lower heat to low and add butter and cream. Use caution as mixture may sputter. Stir until combined.
    • Remove from heat and stir in chocolate bits until they melt. Add a dash of sea salt if desired.
    • Pour caramel over pan of shortbread. Let cool completely and place in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
    • Unmold by pulling up on sides of parchment paper and transfer to a cutting board. Remove parchment from bottom of shortbread. Cut into desired shapes.
    Keyword almond bars with shortbread crust, almond shortbread cookies, caramel almond shortbread bars, caramel shortbread bars, chocolate shortbread, how to make shortbread
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. AlainaGoosten says

      September 19, 2022 at 1:04 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my! This turned out delicious. I put a bit of seasalt on the top and was the perfect touch!

      Reply

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    Pastry Chef Stephanie

    Welcome to Desserts With Stephanie. I hope you enjoy your visit. All the recipes and techniques I discuss on this site have been fully tested in my bakery for more than 15 years. Let's have some fun in the kitchen and put a smile on someone's face with a little sweetness.

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