Chocolate Dulce de Leche Bars

Decadent chocolate bars featuring a buttery shortbread base topped with a rich dulce de leche and dark chocolate ganache. Perfect for special occasions or an indulgent dessert.

24 servings
3 hr 45 min

Ingredients

  • 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
  • cup packed light brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup dulce de leche
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 5 ounces 60%-cacao bittersweet chocolate
  • finely chopped (preferably in a food processor)

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Preheat oven to 375°F with rack in middle. Butter a shallow 9- to 9 1/2-inch square baking pan (1 to 1 1/2 inches deep). Line bottom and 2 sides with parchment paper, leaving an overhang. Butter parchment.

    5 min

  2. 2.

    Blend together butter, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt in a bowl with a fork. Sift in flour and blend with fork until a soft dough forms.

    5 min

  3. 3.

    Spread dough evenly in baking pan using an offset spatula or back of a spoon, then prick all over with fork.

    5 min

  4. 4.

    Bake until golden, 15 to 20 minutes, then cool completely in pan on a rack, about 30 minutes.

    50 min

  5. 5.

    Bring cream and dulce de leche to a simmer in a small heavy saucepan, stirring with a wooden spoon until dulce de leche has dissolved.

    10 min

  6. 6.

    Whisk together yolks in a bowl, then slowly whisk in hot cream mixture. Return to pan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until pan is visible in tracks of spoon and mixture registers 170°F on an instant-read thermometer. Remove from heat and whisk in chocolate until melted.

    15 min

  7. 7.

    Pour chocolate mixture over cooled shortbread and chill, uncovered, until cold and set, about 2 hours.

    120 min

  8. 8.

    Run a small knife around edges to loosen, then transfer to a cutting board using parchment. Cut with a hot clean knife (dip in hot water and wipe clean between cuts) into 24 bars. Chill until ready to serve.

    15 min

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