Mocha Cinnamon Shortbread Squares Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. and butter an 8-inch-square baking pan.
• In a bowl with an electric mixer beat butter with sugar until light and fluffy. In another bowl whisk together flour, espresso powder, cocoa powder, salt, and cinnamon. Beat flour mixture into butter mixture until just combined.
• On a lightly floured surface knead dough about 5 times, or until it just comes together. Press dough evenly into prepared and bake in middle of oven 35 to 45 minutes, or until browned lightly and just firm.
• Cool shortbread in pan on a rack 10 minutes. While shortbread is still warm, loosen edges from pan with a small knife and carefully invert onto your hand covered with a kitchen towel. Invert shortbread onto a cutting board and cut into 9 squares. Cool shortbread completely on a rack set over a sheet of wax paper.
• In a metal bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water melt chocolate, stirring, and cool slightly. Drizzle chocolate decoratively over shortbread and let stand until chocolate is hardened.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Combine flour and cornstarch; gradually add to creamed mixture. , Pat into an ungreased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Pierce several times with a fork. Bake at 325° for 40-45 minutes or until lightly browned. Cut while warm.

Steps:

• Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, and salt in a bowl. In another bowl, beat butter with a mixer on medium speed until fluffy, about 5 minutes. Gradually add sugar, beating until mixture is very light, about 2 minutes. Stir vanilla and espresso powder together in a small bowl; add to butter mixture. Scrape down sides of bowl and beat until combined and smooth, about 1 minute.
• Add flour mixture and beat on low speed until dough just comes together, about 1 minute. Beat in cacao nibs. Press dough evenly into a 9-by-13-inch baking pan lined with parchment. Cover with plastic wrap and smooth top with hands or the bottom of a dry measuring cup. Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour and up to 1 day.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Use a paring knife to cut dough into 48 bars, 8 across short side and 6 down long side. Use a fork or skewer to poke holes in top of each bar.
• Bake until set, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool in pan on a wire rack 10 minutes, then recut bars. Let cool completely in pan before serving. Bars can be stored at room temperature up to 3 weeks.

Steps:

• Prepare base: heat oven to 325 degrees. In a food processor, combine confectioners' sugar, flour, baking powder and cinnamon. Pulse until free of lumps. Scatter butter cubes across top and pulse again until mixture is crumbly and beginning to come together.
• Press mixture evenly into a shallow 9- to 9 1/2-inch square baking pan. Bake until shortbread is firm, barely colored and no longer has a sheen on its surface, about 30 minutes. Remove from oven and cool on a rack until warm.
• While shortbread cools, prepare icing: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt butter and syrup together. Whisk in the confectioners' sugar and cinnamon until free of lumps. Remove from heat and allow to cool just until slightly thickened. Whisk again and pour over warm shortbread, using a spatula to reach edges. Allow to cool completely, then cut into 16 squares.