Chocolate Chip Shortbread Bars for #SundaySupper

The music grabs your attention. It is a familiar song played throughout the holiday season. It brings a smile as the memories associated with it fill your mind. The song could be one from a play you were in as a child. It could be one your family sings on Christmas morning. One of your favorite movies may have it in the soundtrack. White Christmas is one of those songs for me. It relates to many different things including my favorite holiday movie, Love Actually. To celebrate holiday music, movies, and television I baked chocolate chip shortbread bars inspired from the movie.

How did the movie inspire my baking? The movie takes place in London and one of the characters is the British Prime Minister. The British commonly serve tea and biscuits in the afternoon. The biscuits served include shortbread. In Love Actually, the prime minister prefers chocolate ones. That is what gave me the inspiration to make chocolate chip shortbread bars. I used holiday chocolate covered candies instead of chips to make them more festive.

Some notes on the bars: They are buttery, chocolate-y, and have a crumbly texture. Be sure not to over bake them or they will be too dry and fall apart. I recommend taking them out of the oven as soon as the edges are light golden brown. You can drizzle them with the chocolate glaze prior to cutting. I like the look of the glaze spilling over the sides so I drizzled them after cutting.

What is your favorite holiday song, movie, or TV show? Has it inspired you to cook or bake something? Sunday Supper contributors certainly have been inspired and you can see what they are sharing below. Scroll down to find the list and links to each of the recipes. Special thanks to Tammi of Momma’s Meals for hosting this fun event. Oh, and take a look at my shortbread cookies in case you prefer cookies instead of bars.

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Chocolate Chip Shortbread Bars

A recipe for chocolate chip shortbread bars. The bars are buttery and filled with either chocolate chips or chocolate coated candy. They are a great treat for any time of the day.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 40 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Author Renee

Ingredients

For the shortbread:

• 2 cups unsalted butter at room temperature
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 3/4 cups chocolate chips or candy coated chocolates, divided

For the optional chocolate glaze

• 1 cup confectioners sugar
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• Pinch of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons milk

Instructions

For the shortbread:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Cream butter, sugar, and brown sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
3. Add vanilla and beat to combine.
4. Whisk together flour and salt. Add to the creamed mixture and mix only until blended.
5. Stir in pecans and 1 1/4 cups chocolate chips.
6. Press dough evenly into a 17- X 13- X 1-inch sheet pan.
7. Sprinkle top with remaining 1/2 cup chips. Slightly press chips into dough.
8. Bake 20 minutes or until light golden brown. Be careful not to over-bake.
9. Cool shortbread completely in the pan.
10. Once cooled, cut into bars approximately 1- X 3-inches in size. Drizzle with chocolate glaze if desired.

For the optional chocolate glaze:

1. Sift the confectioners sugar and cocoa and place in a small bowl.
2. Add the salt, vanilla, and milk. Stir until smooth.
3. Place glaze in a plastic zip-top bag and close bag removing all air. Snip a tiny piece off one corner of the bag. Squeeze the bag to drizzle the glaze on the shortbread.

Recipe Notes

*Time does not include cooling shortbread.

Recipe adapted from one in a small recipe booklet by Mars, Inc. that I got in the late 80’s or early 90’s.

Ready for some holiday recipes? Take a look at these by Sunday Supper contributors inspired from the season’s music, movies, and television:

Party Appetizers & Snacks:

• Oven-Roasted Applesauce Scented with Rosemary & Vanilla inspired by the song “Christmas in the Trenches” – Shockingly Delicious
• Roasted Chestnuts inspired by the movie “The Christmas Song” – Food Lust People Love
• A Popcorn Trio inspired by the song “Let it Snow” – Hot Momma’s Kitchen Chaos
• Chai Tea Abominable Snow Buddies inspired by the movie “Rudolph” – Cupcakes & Kale Chips
• Raisin Bran Muffins for a Crowd inspired by the movie “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” – In The Kitchen With Audrey and Maurene
• Icicle Candy and Reindeer Snacks inspired by the movie ”Snow” – Treats & Trinkets
• A Christmas Carol Plum Pudding inspired by the movie “A Christmas Carol” – No One Likes Crumbley Cookies
• Yukon Mashed Potato Cakes inspired by the movie “Rudolph” – Cookin’ Mimi
• Christmas Pudding inspired by the song “Over the River and Through the Woods” – A Kitchen Hoor
• Pumpkin Pudding inspired by the movie “Nightmare Before Christmas” – Basic N Delicious
• Elf-Inspired Christmas “Grams” inspired by the movie “Elf” – MarocMama
• Sugarplums inspired by the movie “The Nutcracker” – Happy Baking Days
• Chai Spiced Roasted Nuts inspired by the song “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire” – Take A Bite Out of Boca

Festive Main Dishes

• Maple Syrup Spaghetti inspired by the movie “Elf” – Momma’s Meals
• Who Hash inspired by the movie “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” – girlichef
• Ginger Orange Glazed Cornish Hens inspired by the song “The 12 Days of Christmas” – Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
• NY Hot Dog with Sabrett-style Onion Sauce inspired by the movie “Die Hard” – Small Wallet, Big Appetite
• Classic Caesar Salad inspired by the movie “The Santa Clause” – The Little Ferraro Kitchen
• Individuals Meatloaves & Horseradish Mashed Potatoes for Mommy’s Little Piggies inspired by the movie “A Christmas Story” – The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
• Christmas Waffles inspired by the TV special “A Claymation Christmas Celebration” – Curious Cuisiniere
• Filthy Animal Pizza inspired by the movie “Home Alone” – Foxes Love Lemons
• Chicken Orzo Soup inspired by the song “12 Days of Christmas” – Family Foodie
• Brandied Candied Sweet Potatoes inspired by the song “Christmas Is The Time To Say ‘I Love You’” – Cindy’s Recipes and Writings

Sweet Holiday Treats:

• Gin and Tonic Cupcakes inspired by Adam Sandler’s “The Chanukah Song” – The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
• Chocolate Chip Shortbread Bars inspired by the movie “Love Actually” – Magnolia Days
• Gingerbread Marshmallows inspired by the song “Marshmallow World” – Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
• Hazelnut Chocolate Chip Cookies inspired by the movie “The Gremlins” – Killer Bunnies, Inc
• White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge inspired by the song “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas” – Alida’s Kitchen
• Snowball Cookies inspired by the movie “White Christmas” – The Foodie Army Wife
• Penuche Fudge inspired by the movie “Elf” – Pies and Plots
• Hot Chocolate Cookies inspired by the movie “Santa Clause” – Mess Makes Food
• South Pacific Coconut Tres Leche Cake inspired by the movie “South Pacific” – The Ninja Baker
• Cookies & Cream Fudge inspired by the movie “Elf” – The Messy Baker

Cozy Drinks:

• Toasted Coconut Hot Chocolate inspired by the song “Let It Snow” – Chocolate Moosey
• The Christmas Gram inspired by the movie “Elf” – An Appealing Plan
• Eggnog Hot Chocolate inspired by the movie “National Lampoons Christmas Vacation” – Peanut Butter and Peppers
• Vermont Hot Chocolate inspired by the movie “White Christmas” – Kudos Kitchen By Renee
• Spiked Hot Chocolate Peppermint Ice Cream Floats inspired by the song “Holly Jolly Christmas” – NeighborFood

This is Christmas; Wine Pairings for Holiday Themed #SundaySupper Recipes – ENOFYLZ Wine Blog

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET and you do not want to miss out on the fun. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.

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