Fancy Brownie Shortbread Bars with Ganache Recipe

Sweet dreams come alive with these decadent brownie shortbread bars with ganache that promise pure indulgence.

The combination of buttery shortbread and rich chocolate creates a dessert that melts hearts instantly.

Every bite reveals layers of sinful deliciousness waiting to captivate your taste buds.

Crisp shortbread forms a delicate base beneath the fudgy brownie layer, crowned with a silky ganache that adds luxurious depth.

The contrast of textures makes this dessert a showstopper at any gathering.

Perfectly balanced and incredibly simple to make, these bars will become your new go-to chocolate treat.

Treat yourself to a slice of pure chocolate bliss that’s impossible to resist.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 17

Brownie Shortbread Bars with Ganache: What You’ll Need

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and crumbly texture, choose unbleached flour for best results.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with browning, opt for fine-grain sugar for smooth consistency.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, use sea salt for a subtle mineral note.
• Vanilla Extract: Brings depth and aromatic warmth, select pure vanilla for rich flavor.
• Cold Butter: Creates flaky layers, use high-fat European-style butter for superior taste.

• Unsalted Butter: Ensures rich, moist texture, select fresh butter for best flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create glossy top, choose pure cane sugar.
• Chocolate Chips: Delivers intense chocolate flavor, use high-quality dark chocolate for depth.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients and adds structure, select fresh large eggs at room temperature.
• Cocoa Powder: Intensifies chocolate taste, Dutch-processed cocoa recommended for smoothness.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure, use unbleached flour for best texture.
• Salt: Balances sweetness, enhances chocolate complexity.
• Espresso Powder: Boosts chocolate flavor, optional but recommended for rich notes.

• Dark Chocolate: Creates luxurious, glossy layer, choose high-quality chocolate with 60-70% cocoa.
• Heavy Cream: Provides silky smoothness, use fresh, high-fat cream for best results.

Tools That Layer Shortbread and Ganache Just Right

• 8×8 inch square baking dish: Essential for creating perfectly sized bars.
• Parchment paper: Crucial for easy removal and clean cutting of the bars.
• Large saucepan: Needed for melting butter, sugar, and creating brownie batter.
• Mixing bowls: Two bowls required for preparing dry and wet ingredients.
• Pastry cutter or food processor: Perfect for cutting butter into shortbread crust.
• Whisk or electric mixer: Helps blend eggs and create smooth brownie batter.
• Sifter: Ensures dry ingredients are lump-free and evenly distributed.
• Sharp knife: Vital for clean, precise cuts when serving the bars.
• Offset spatula or knife: Helps spread ganache and create decorative swirls.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Necessary for accurate ingredient measurements.

Building These Bars in Simple Steps

• Shortbread Base

A crispy foundation that sets the stage for decadent chocolate magic. Mix flour, sugar, and cold butter until crumbly, then press into a baking pan. Bake until pale golden, creating a delicate, buttery platform for the rich layers to come.

• Brownie Layer

Melt butter and sugar together, creating a silky base for deep chocolate intensity. Incorporate chocolate chips until glossy and smooth. Gently fold in eggs and dry ingredients, stirring just enough to combine. Pour this luscious mixture over the shortbread crust, transforming two simple elements into a luxurious treat.

• Chocolate Crown

Heat cream until it whispers steam, then pour over finely chopped dark chocolate. Stir until the ganache becomes a gleaming, velvety blanket. Drape this liquid silk over the cooled brownies, creating waves of indulgence that hint at the richness waiting beneath.

• Serving Elegance

Allow the ganache to set and firm up. Use parchment paper as handles to lift the entire creation from the pan. Slice with a clean, sharp knife, revealing beautiful layers of buttery shortbread, fudgy brownie, and glossy chocolate topping.

Flavor Tips for Each Layer

• Swap dark chocolate for milk or white chocolate in the ganache for a different flavor profile.
• Fold in chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit into the brownie batter for extra crunch and surprise elements.
• Chill the bars in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before cutting to get cleaner, more precise slices with minimal crumbling.
• Dust the finished bars with cocoa powder, powdered sugar, or sea salt flakes to elevate the visual appeal and taste complexity.
• Store these bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days or refrigerate for up to a week, ensuring maximum freshness and convenience.

Serve Bars That Look Bakery-Ready

• Chocolate Lover's Dream: Serve these decadent bars on a beautiful dessert platter with fresh raspberries or strawberries scattered around the edges for a pop of color and tangy contrast.
• Elegant Cafe-Style Presentation: Dust the top lightly with cocoa powder or powdered sugar, then place each bar on a white porcelain plate with a small dollop of whipped cream on the side.
• Ice Cream Companion: Pair these rich brownies with a scoop of vanilla bean or salted caramel ice cream, creating a luxurious dessert experience that balances the intense chocolate flavor.
• Coffee Shop Inspiration: Plate the bars alongside a small espresso or cappuccino, highlighting the subtle espresso notes in the brownie and creating a sophisticated dessert pairing.

Best Storage for Ganache Bars

• Fridge Storage Magic: Keep these delectable bars in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain their gorgeous texture.
• Freezer Friendly Stash: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe container. These treats will stay delicious for 3 months, ready for unexpected chocolate cravings.
• Room Temperature Sweet Spot: Allow chilled bars to soften at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. This technique helps restore their rich, moist consistency and intensifies the chocolate flavor.
• Make-Ahead Masterplan: Prepare the entire batch up to 2 days before your event. Store the uncut pan in the refrigerator, then slice just before serving to ensure maximum freshness and visual appeal.

Fudgy Brownie Shortbread Bars with Ganache Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 17 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Delectable chocolate brownie shortbread bars with ganache showcase a luxurious dessert blending rich chocolate and buttery shortbread layers. Chocolate lovers will savor each deeply indulgent bite of this irresistible sweet treat.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 oz (113 g) good-quality dark chocolate (55-60% cacao)
• ½ cup (85 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ⅔ cup (60 g) unsweetened, Dutch-processed cocoa powder
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar (for brownies)
• ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter (for brownies)
• 2 large eggs
• ⅓ cup (40 g) all-purpose flour (for brownies)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract (for brownies)
• ¼ tsp coarse Kosher salt (for brownies)
• 1–2 tsp instant espresso powder (optional)
• ½ cup (113 g) cold, unsalted butter (for shortbread crust)
• 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour (for shortbread crust)
• ⅓ cup (67 g) granulated sugar (for shortbread crust)
• ½ tsp vanilla extract (for shortbread crust)
• ½ tsp coarse Kosher salt (for shortbread crust)
• 4 oz (120 ml) heavy whipping cream

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare Pan: Line an 8×8 inch baking pan completely with parchment paper, ensuring smooth edges and full coverage.
2. Create Shortbread Base: Combine flour, sugar, salt, and vanilla, cutting cold butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Press the dough firmly and evenly across the pan’s bottom.
3. Bake Shortbread Crust: Roast at 350°F until delicately golden, approximately 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F.
4. Craft Chocolate Mixture: Melt butter and sugar together, removing from heat and incorporating chocolate chips and vanilla until glossy. Cool slightly, then whisk in eggs one at a time until smooth.
5. Combine Dry Ingredients: Sift cocoa powder, flour, salt, and espresso powder into the liquid mixture, folding gently to maintain a uniform batter.
6. Assemble and Bake Brownies: Spread brownie batter evenly over the pre-baked shortbread crust. Bake at 325°F for 25 minutes, watching for a crackling surface and slight puffing.
7. Prepare Ganache: Finely chop dark chocolate and place in a heat-resistant bowl. Heat cream until tiny bubbles form around the edges, then pour over chocolate. Whisk until achieving a smooth, lustrous consistency.
8. Finish and Serve: Drizzle ganache across cooled brownies, allowing it to set for one hour. Remove from pan using parchment handles and slice into precise squares with a sharp knife.

Notes

• Precision Parchment Lining: Completely cover pan bottom and sides to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of bars.
• Butter Temperature Matters: Use cold butter for shortbread to create a crumbly, perfect texture that holds together beautifully.
• Gentle Mixing Magic: Fold brownie ingredients gently to maintain a smooth, glossy batter without overmixing, which can create tough brownies.
• Ganache Cooling Technique: Let ganache set naturally at room temperature for a perfect shine and smooth finish, avoiding refrigeration that might cause cloudiness.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 17
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg