Pine Nut Caramel Shortbread

[cougars_catnip]

 

Pine Nuts make these a special occasion cookie.  For everyday use pecans.  But what ever you use they are delicious.

Pine Nut Caramel Shortbread

Ingredients

• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• FILLING:
• 3/4 cup butter, cubed
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups pine nuts, lightly toasted
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Coarse salt, optional

Directions

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Pat onto the bottom of a greased 15-in.x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Prick dough thoroughly with a fork.
• Bake at 375° for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Reduce temperature to 325°.
• In a large saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, honey, sugar, cream and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until a candy thermometer reads 234° (soft-ball stage). Remove from the heat; stir in pine nuts and vanilla. Spread evenly over crust.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly. Place pan on a wire rack.
• Sprinkle the top with coarse salt if desired. Cool completely. Cut into bars. Store in an airtight container. Yield: 4 dozen.

Nutritional Facts 1 bar (calculated without coarse salt) equals 167 calories, 10 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 20 mg cholesterol, 103 mg sodium, 17 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, 2 g protein.

 

Comments

[welshwmn3]

This sounds awesome! I'm going to have to try this. Maybe next week sometime... You know, when I have a spare minute. LOL

[cougars_catnip]

LOL hey if you find a few more of those spare minutes can ya toss one or two my way? :D

CC