Brown Sugar Shortbread Bars

Indulge in the buttery richness of these irresistible Brown Sugar Shortbread Bars, a simple yet satisfying treat that's perfect for any occasion. With just five pantry-staple ingredients—unsalted butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract, all-purpose flour, and a pinch of salt—these bars come together effortlessly in under 40 minutes. The star of the recipe is the brown sugar, which infuses the shortbread with a subtle caramel-like sweetness, while the crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth texture makes each bite pure bliss. Baked to golden perfection and easy to slice into neat, shareable squares, these bars are ideal for snacking, dessert platters, or gifting. Plus, the recipe's simplicity makes it as beginner-friendly as it is delicious. Whether you're hosting guests or treating yourself, these shortbread bars are sure to become a cherished favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 40/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 16

Ingredients

• 227 grams Unsalted butter
• 150 grams Brown sugar (packed)
• 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
• 280 grams All-purpose flour
• 0.5 teaspoons Salt

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two opposite sides for easy removal later.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 3

Add the vanilla extract and mix to combine.

Step 4

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt.

Step 5

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until the dough comes together. The dough will be crumbly but should hold when pressed together.

Step 6

Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the surface with your hands or the back of a flat spatula.

Step 7

Using a fork, gently prick the surface of the dough all over. This will prevent excessive puffing during baking.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 22-25 minutes, or until the edges turn a light golden brown.

Step 9

Remove the pan from the oven and let the shortbread cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

Step 10

Once cool, use the parchment overhang to lift the shortbread out of the pan. Transfer to a cutting board and slice into 16 bars.

Step 11

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or in the fridge for extended freshness.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(668.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3267.1

Total Fat 197.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 113.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 502.6mg	0%
Sodium 1259.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 361.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 7.6g	0%
Total Sugars 147.2g
Protein 30.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 212.4mg	0%
Iron 14.0mg	0%
Potassium 566.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 53.1%

Protein: 3.7%

Carbs: 43.3%