Candy Corn Shortbread Bars

candycorncake1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus 1 tablespoon for pan
3/4 cup light-brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
12 ounces white chocolate chips
10 ounces candy corn

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter an 8-by-8-inch pan, line with parchment and butter again.

In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter until fluffy. Add sugar and beat until combined. Mix in vanilla. Add flour, a little at a time, until incorporated. Do not overmix. Turn out dough into the prepared pan. Using a sheet of plastic wrap, press until dough reaches edges and smooth evenly with a spatula before removing wrap. Bake until golden brown, about 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool completely before decorating.

Melt chocolate in a heat-proof bowl set over a pot of simmering water. Spread chocolate over shortbread, smoothing out evenly with a spatula. Scatter over with candy corn. Set in refrigerator to set slightly, about 8 to 10 minutes. Cut into squares.

Yield: 9 or 16 squares.

 

- Recipe courtesy of Joseph Erdos