Easy Chocolate Chip Shortbread Bars; simple buttery shortbread bars dusted with crunchy sugar and studded with creamy chocolate chips.
Considering my heritage, I really don’t have enough shortbread recipes on this blog.
Shortbread has been a Scottish staple for centuries. It is wonderfully simple, and wonderfully addictive to eat. It requires only three basic ingredients to make a great shortbread, anything else is just a delicious extra.
I think this simplicity is what has stopped me from posting too much about it in the past. It seems like one of those things that people should just know how to make. The same way that all Scottish Grannies can knock out a batch of Scotch pancakes with their eyes closed. However, considering my generation and those coming behind it are growing up being subjected to a Western rejection of all things gluten and sugar, it’s about time more people learned to make and love shortbread.
Homemade shortbread is nothing short of bloody lovely. It’s buttery crumbliness ranks it above all other biscuits for me, despite my bias. No other baked good has the same rich softness that shortbread provides. It’s the ultimate accompaniment to a cup of tea, and an absolute belter of an afternoon nibble. Stick some chocolate chips in it and you’re laughing.
Hello, Easy Chocolate Chip Shortbread Bars. Today’s recipe comes with all the simple steps of making good shortbread, with that flirtatious addition of some chocolate chips. You can use milk or dark, depending on your mood, but both will elevate this classic tea time treat into utter delectable filth.
These Easy Chocolate Chip Shortbread Bars take very little time and effort to throw together. They’ll provide you with a whole tray of sugar-dusted joy and keep well for up to a week in an airtight container. Really, you’re going to need a VERY good excuse not to make these right now.
You won’t need to go shopping for any fancy ingredients or equipment. As long as you have a baking tray and some kitchen cupboards that contain more than the usual Super Noodles and supermarket-own-brand baked beans, chances are you have what you need to make some Easy Chocolate Chip Shortbread Bars.
To make these Easy Chocolate Chip Shortbread Bars, simply follow the recipe below!
Easy Chocolate Chip Shortbread Bars
Notes
*BE A MAVERICK: Why not ramp up that chocolate flavour by using TWO kinds of chocolate chips, or dunking the cooled bars into some melted chocolate?
Ingredients
- 100g (½ cup) caster sugar (plus extra to decorate)
- 200g (13 tbsp) soft salted butter
- 250g (2 cups) plain flour
- 50g (5 tbsp) cornflour
- 100g (3 ½ oz) chocolate chips
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Thoroughly grease and line a rectangular baking tin or tray, preferably 20 x 20cm (8 x 8 inches) or 20 x 30cm (8 x 12 inches), with greaseproof or parchment paper. I use a 20 x 30cm.
- In a large bowl, beat together your sugar and butter for 2-3 minutes until pale and fluffy.
- Add in the remaining ingredients and stir until everything has combined into a thick buttery dough.
- Press the dough into a flat layer at the bottom of your prepared tin/tray.
- Chill the tin/tray of dough for 30-60 minutes. Meanwhile preheat your oven – 180 C / 160 C fan / 350 F / gas mark 4.
- Once the dough has chilled and the oven is fully preheated, place the tin/tray of dough in the oven to bake for 20-25 minutes. By which time it should be lightly golden and firm (but not hard) to the touch.
- When baked, scatter a handful or two of caster sugar over the cooked shortbread and allow the shortbread to cool completely in the tin/tray.
- Use a sharp knife to cut the cooled shortbread into bars, triangles or fingers.
- Enjoy!
