Peanut Butter Shortbread Bars

These bars are insanely decadent and ridiculously delicious.  They are actually easy enough to make but do require a bit of time.  I highly recommend making them but only if you are baking for a crew.  You'll send yourself into a sugar coma if you eat them all!

I think you could omit the peanut butter, but I havent tried it yet.  I will update when I do.  I also used the scale for measuring ingredients this time, but I'll update with other measurements if I make it again.

UPDATE: the chocolate seized when I melted it so I would like to try it with coconut oil next time.  Also, it's important to bake the shortbread layer till you see a little browning on the edges.  And finally, measure the salt for the caramel layer (I'm talking to those of you that never measure the salt).

Peanut Butter Shortbread Bars
makes a lot, maybe 24 small but rich servings

For the shortbread layer
200 g flour
1 tbsp cornstarch
100 g sugar
170 g unsalted butter cubed
1/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 325.  Process the flour, cornstarch, and sugar in the food processor.  Add in cubed butter and salt, pulsing till the mixture resembles small breadcrumbs.  Press into a greased 9x9 baking dish (an 8x8 will give you a thicker shortbread layer).  Bake for 25-35 till the edges are just beginning to brown.  Place in the fridge to cool a bit while you wait for the caramel to finish cooking.

For the caramel peanut butter layer
14 oz can sweetened condensed milk (or make your own!)
1 stick plus 3 tbsp unsalted butter
150g (or 3/4 cup) sugar
1 tbsp sea salt
4 tbsp peanut butter
1/4-1/2 cup crushed peanuts (optional)

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan, then add the condensed milk, butter and sugar and mix over low heat.  Stir almost constantly and increase the heat to medium-low, a low simmer.  Continue to stir almost constantly, reducing heat to prevent a full boil as needed. Continue to stir and cook for 35-45 minutes, until it's deep tan gold color.  Remove from heat immediately when finished and transfer to a heat proof bowl (glass pyrex works great), then let cool briefly.  While it's still warm, add peanut butter and mix thoroughly.  Pour gently over the shortbread (it's ok if your shortbread is still warm).  Sprinkle crushed peanuts over the caramel and lightly press them in.  Put in the fridge to chill.  It should be firm enough to press your finger in gently and hold the shape.

For the chocolate layer
320 g (or 2 cup) chocolate chips (milk or dark or a mix)
50 g (or 3 tbsp) unsalted butter (try it with coconut oil)

Melt chocolate and butter/oil slowly in the microwave at low power or use a double boiler.  When it's smooth, pour over the chilled caramel.  Chill again till firm.  Slice into thin bars.

Sweetened condensed (goat) milk

We have goats that provide milk for our family.  When we wanted to make Magic Bars, I thought we should make our own sweetened condensed milk.  And we did!  It's easy, insanely easy.

Sweetened condensed milk
Makes just under 2 cups
(this is a double recipe, you could half it)

3 cups whole milk
1 cup granulated sugar
splash vanilla extract (optional, but please dont skip it)

In a medium sauce pan, mix together the milk and sugar. Use a wooden spoon to mark the level of liquid. Over medium heat, warm the milk-sugar mixture until just steaming. Then lower the heat and simmer for about 2 hours, or until it thickens slightly. Use the wooden spoon to test the level.  When the mixture has reduced by about half, stir in the vanilla extract. You can use it warm for your magic bars or cool completely and store it in a jar in the fridge.