In questo articolo, esploreremo una ricetta deliziosa e facile da preparare.

Sweeten Your Valentine’s Day with Irresistible Valentine Shortbread Bars

Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love, and what better way to express your affection than with a homemade treat? These Valentine Shortbread Bars are the perfect combination of buttery goodness and sweet indulgence, making them ideal for sharing with someone special. With their festive colors and delightful flavors, these bars are sure to win hearts.

Ingredients

Before diving into the baking process, let’s gather everything we need:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup red M&M’s
• 1/8 cup heart sprinkles

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare Your Oven and Baking Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This allows your oven to reach the perfect temperature while you prepare the dough. Next, line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring the edges are covered. This will make it easy to lift the bars out of the pan once they’re baked.

2. Make the Dough

In a mixer, combine the softened butter, granulated sugar, and salt. Cream these ingredients together on medium-high speed until the mixture is well blended and fluffy. This process should take about 2-3 minutes.

3. Add Vanilla and Flour

Once the butter mixture is ready, add in the vanilla extract. Then, gradually incorporate the all-purpose flour. Beat the mixture until it becomes crumbly. This crumbly texture is crucial for the shortbread’s delicate bite.

4. Form the Base Layer

Take 3/4 of the dough and press it into the bottom of the prepared baking pan, forming an even layer. This will create the base for your shortbread bars.

5. Add the Chocolate and M&M’s

Sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and red M&M’s evenly over the dough. These ingredients lend a rich, sweet flavor and a pop of color.

6. Top with Remaining Dough and Sprinkles

Crumble the remaining dough over the top of the chocolate and M&M’s. Lightly press down to ensure everything sticks together. Finally, add the heart sprinkles for a festive touch.

7. Bake to Perfection

Place your pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep an eye on the bars as they bake.

8. Cool and Cut

Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool to room temperature on a wire rack. To serve, lift the shortbread out of the pan using the parchment paper and cut it into squares.

9. Enjoy!

Your Valentine Shortbread Bars are now ready to enjoy. Serve them with a hot cup of coffee or a glass of milk, and share them with your loved ones.

Tips for Perfect Shortbread Bars

• Butter Softness: Ensure your butter is softened but not melted. This helps in achieving the perfect texture for the dough.
• Mixing: Avoid over-mixing the dough once the flour is added. Overworking can result in tough shortbread.
• Storage: These bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They also freeze well, making them a great make-ahead treat.

Embrace the sweetness of Valentine’s Day with these delectable shortbread bars. They’re not just a dessert; they’re a gesture of love baked from the heart. Enjoy every bite with those you cherish most!

Valentine Shortbread Bars

These delightful Valentine Shortbread Bars are perfect for sharing love through sweet, buttery treats adorned with chocolate and festive sprinkles.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Cooling Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Servings: 16 bars

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 250

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Shortbread Base

• 227 g butter softened
• 134 g granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 256 g all-purpose flour
• 85 g white chocolate chips
• 85 g semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 42 g red M&M’s
• 28 g heart sprinkles

Equipment

• 8×8 Baking Pan
• Parchment Paper
• Mixer

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
3. Cream butter, sugar, and salt in mixer on medium high until well blended and fluffy.
4. Add in vanilla and then flour, beat until crumbly.
5. Press 3/4 of the dough into a flat layer in bottom of prepared pan.
6. Top with semi-sweet and white chocolate chips and M&M’s.
7. Sprinkle remaining dough over the top and lightly press down.
8. Add heart sprinkles.
9. Bake approximately 45 minutes or until golden on top.
10. Cool to room temperature on a wire rack.
11. Remove by lifting out using the parchment paper.
12. Cut into squares and enjoy.

Notes

These bars are perfect for Valentine’s Day celebrations. Feel free to substitute M&M’s and sprinkles with any festive colors to match other occasions.