Faith, Food, Uncategorized

Millionaire’s Shortbread

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One bite of this rich dessert won’t make you wealthy, but it will make you smile. Buttery shortbread crust, a soft caramel center, topped with dark chocolate, and a sprinkle of sea salt make this bar worth a million. I would pay top dollar at a bakery for this delicacy.

Do you like Twix candy bars? This decadent little bar is similar, but even better than the store bought treat. It’s worth the effort to make these indulgent goodies. The trickiest part is the caramel. If you cook the caramel for too long it will be tough. It’s also quite easy to burn caramel. Just follow the directions for the caramel, and you’ll do fine.

Let me encourage you in your cooking and baking endeavors. Each winter I teach a cooking class to kids ages twelve and up. My students this year, most of whom had never cooked, made this recipe. They did a phenomenal job. There was no burned caramel. The kids all cooked it beautifully. If they can do it, and I can do it, you can do it too. 

Millionaire’s shortbread is a special treat that lives up to its name. Make it for your family, your friends, your neighbors, or anyone who could use some happiness. Chocolate and caramel are always a winning combination.

Happy Eating!

 

Delight yourself in the Lord,

 and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4 

 

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Millionaire’s Shortbread

 

Shortbread Crust

¾ cup butter (softened)

⅓ cup sugar

1 ⅓ cup flour

 

Caramel

½ cup butter

½ cup brown sugar 

½ cup sweetened condensed milk

2 tablespoons regular pancake syrup 

 

Chocolate

1 ½ cups dark chocolate chips

1 tablespoon butter 

 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°

2. Line an 8 x 8 baking dish with foil or parchment and leave enough over the edges to create a sling. This will make it easy to take it out of the pan and cut into bars.

3. Make the shortbread crust:

Mix the butter, sugar, and flour with a spoon until small crumbs form. Press evenly into the bottom of your pan.

Bake for 20 minutes until lightly golden brown.

Cool completely before adding caramel.

4. Make the caramel:

In a medium saucepan place butter, brown sugar, sweetened condensed milk, and syrup. Heat everything on low heat until the butter melts. Then turn up the heat to medium/medium high & bring it to a boil. Stir continually. (Be careful because caramel can burn easily) Once it’s at a boil, turn down to a simmer and stir continually until caramel turns an amber color & is slightly thickened. Turn off the heat & immediately pour hot caramel over the cooled crust. Cool before adding the chocolate.

5. Melt the chocolate:

Combine the chocolate and butter in an oven safe glass bowl. Melt in the microwave for 90 seconds total. Stop every 30 second and stir the chocolate. Pour the melted chocolate over the caramel layer. Let it set up completely before cutting. 

Optional: top with sea salt.

 

Notes

*Make the crust and cool completely before you make the caramel. If not, the crust will tear when you add the caramel.

*If the caramel gets little brown bits, it’s OK, it will still taste good.

*Place the shortbread in the refrigerator between layers to speed up cooling.

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You can read this article at the link below, and get all of my recipes on Mustard Seed Sentinel. Go to More and scroll down to Meghan’s Corner.

https://www.mustardseedsentinel.com/post/meghan-s-corner-millionaire-s-shortbread

friends, grief, Trials, Uncategorized

Thank God for Good Friends

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These beautiful chocolate bars were waiting for me as I stumbled into the guest room at my friend’s house the other night. Exhausted, and a bit overwhelmed at the thought of facing Mom’s memorial and all that involved, some sweetness to console me.

Moonstruck Chocolate is my favorite chocolate. It’s based in Oregon and I had completely forgot about it, until Tuesday night. My amazing friend Carol remembered my love of Moonstruck and she blessed me. Coming to her house is a respite in the storm.

When I walked in the guest room in a bit of a daze, and saw a bag of goodies and those two bars sticking out of the top, my heart was full. Only a dear friend would do something that thoughtful.

Thank God for good friends who love, support, and care for you in difficult times. A true friend in life is a blessing. A true friend stands by you in all the ups and downs. A true friend is the one you can call in the middle of the night when everything is falling apart and lend a listening ear. And, a true friend is the one you can laugh with and cry with.

Carol is just this type of friend. The Lord brought us together many years ago and the friendship was instant. We have stood by each other through thick and thin.

I have several other rock solid friends that I will share about another time. God has blessed me beyond measure with good people in my life who love me and take care of me. I try and do the same for them as well.

To have good friends you need to be a good friend. I hope I can give back in some small way the love and care that has been given to me.

During this not easy time of saying goodbye to my mom and preparing for her memorial, I am blessed.

Thank you Lord for good friends!

Love you all,

Meghan