Chocolate Chip Shortbread Brownies {#OXOGoodBrownie}

The dessert requested most often in my house is, and always has been, brownies.  It must be genetic programming.  When I was young, I remember my brother and sisters and I loving brownies the best of all desserts, as well.  Pie was a close second, and may even be tied now, for me.  I mean, I can't leave a container of cocoa powder sitting out on the counter, lest I incite a chorus of "oooooh, are you making brownies today!?" inquiries.

Coming in a close second for my oldest child is shortbread.  Pretty much, if he's not craving brownies, he's craving shortbread.  Good thing he swims those calories off in a matter of moments.  Aaaaah, to have the metabolism of a high school athlete again...  

A few weeks ago, when trying to come up with a "new" brownie variation, I stumbled upon a recipe that combined both brownies and shortbread.  Search complete.

These are definitely to be enjoyed in moderation - they are rich as rich can be.  And a tall, cold glass of milk is definitely in order.  But man, are they good.  The shortbread base is slightly more crumbly than I expected, but it was nothing to complain about.  I may switch them up by making my favorite shortbread cookie recipe as a base next time 'round.

I'm also thinking that turning them into blondies on a shortbread base would be a welcome variation.  Oh, the possibilities!  What flavor combinations would you choose?

Chocolate Chip Shortbread Brownies

by Heather Schmitt-Gonzalez

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 48 minutes

Keywords: bake dessert butter chocolate bars

Ingredients (serves 24)

for the shortbread layer:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, cold & cut into pieces
• 1/4 cup miniature chocolate chips

for the brownie layer:

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup miniature chocolate chips
• 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon vanilla

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350° F. Line a 9"x9" baking pan with parchment, extending it over the edges of the pan; set aside.

shortbread layer:

Stir together the flour and the brown sugar in a medium bowl. Cut the butter in using your fingers (or a fork or pastry blender) until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the mini chocolate chips. Press mixture evenly onto the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 8 minutes.

brownie layer:

Meanwhile, in a large bowl stir together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Beat in eggs, melted butter, and vanilla using a wooden spoon, until smooth. Stir in the mini chocolate chips. Gently and carefully spread the brownie mixture over the shortbread crust.

Return to oven and bake for 40 minutes longer. Cool in the pan on a wire rack. Using the edges of the parchment overhang, lift the uncut brownies out of the pan, and cut into bars.

adapted from Better Homes and Gardens

This pan of brownies is in honor of the OXO Cookies for Kids' Cancer campaign.  You may remember me talking about this cause when I reviewed the Cookies for Kids' Cancer Cookbook, All the Good Cookies, back in May.  Every blog post submitted during the month of September , OXO will be donating $100 to the cause, up to $100,000.

For every specially marked item sold, OXO will donate 25 cents in support of pediatric cancer research as part of its $100,000* pledge to Cookies for Kids' Cancer. (Look for specially marked OXO products at participating retailers.) Click HERE for a list of OXO baking products will be stickered.

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*In 2013, OXO will donate up to $100,000 to Cookies for Kids' Cancer through specially marked baking tools, bake sale matches and other fundraising efforts. Cookies for Kids' Cancer is a recognized 501c(3) public charity duly incorporated under the laws of the state of New Jersey. Your donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law. 100% of proceeds raised by Cookies for Kids' Cancer fund pediatric cancer research.

I received several OXO kitchen tools at no charge.  I was not compensated for this post, and all opinions stated within are my own.