20--- Shortbread-Crusted Brownies

I could not for the life of me decide whether to make homemade brownies or shortbread cookies the other day.  And then I thought, why should I have to choose? And these babies were born.  And then they were adored eaten by everyone.  The End.

Shortbread-Crusted Brownies
Serves 9-18 (depending on your cut size)

SHORTBREAD
1 cup + 1 Tbsp butter, softened (yes, the extra Tbsp makes a difference)
1/2 cup powdered sugar, sifted
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups all-purpose flour
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Use a mixer to combine butter and powdered sugar until well-mixed. Add vanilla extract and salt, then sift in flour gradually and mix until combined. 

Press dough into a 9x9" parchment paper-lined baking dish.  Bake for 10 minutes, or until set.

BROWNIE BATTER
4 Tbsp butter
2 oz chopped dark chocolate
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup all purpose flour
2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
Sea salt (if desired)

To make brownie batter, heat butter in the top pan of a double boiler. When butter is melted, whisk in chocolate until melted, then add in the sugar. Remove from heat and allow to cool for ~3 minutes, then whisk in egg, flour, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract.

Pour batter onto the top of the shortbread crust (after 10 minutes of baking).  Sprinkle lightly with sea salt if desired.

Return pan to the oven and bake for additional 12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Remove pan from the oven and cool for 5 minutes prior to using a sharp knife to cut into 3" x 3" or 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" pieces.  Allow to cook entirely before removing from the pan and storing in an airtight container.