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4.3 from 150 votes

Gooey Butter Chocolate Chip Shortbread Bars

A buttery shortbread crust topped with a creamy, buttery topping that's almost like custard!! The bars live up to their gooey, buttery name!!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Cooling Time
2 hrs
Total Time
2 hrs 45 mins
Servings: 12
Calories: 225 kcal
Course: Baked Goods
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Shortbread Crust
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, very soft
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ⅓ cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon salt
Filling
  • 2 tablespoons light-colored corn syrup
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, very soft
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup semi-sweet mini chocolate chips plus about 2 tablespoons for sprinkling over the top (mini chips highly recommended although regular sized chips may be substituted if absolutely necessary)

Instructions

Shortbread Crust:
    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray; set aside.
  2. To the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or large bowl and electric mixer), add all ingredients and beat on low speed until combined and a dough forms, about 3 to 4 minutes.
  3. Turn dough out into prepared pan in an even, smooth, flat layer, using a spatula or your fingers to smooth it.
  4. Pierce crust with a fork in a dozen places so steam can escape while it bakes.
  5. Bake for 12 to 13 minutes, or until crust has just barely set. It should not be golden or browned and should still be white, but crusted over and set.
  6. While crust bakes, make the filling.
Filling:
  1. To a small bowl, add the corn syrup, water, vanilla, and stir to combine; set aside.
  2. To the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or large bowl and electric mixer; the same bowl you already used is fine, just wipe it out with a paper towel), add the butter, sugar, salt, and beat on medium-high speed until smooth and combined, about 2 to 3 minutes.
  3. Stop, scrape down the sides of the bowl, add the eggs, and beat on medium-high speed until smooth and combined, about 2 minutes.
  4. Stop, scrape down the sides of the bowl, add half the flour, half the corn syrup and water, and beat on low speed until smooth and combined, about 1 minute.
  5. Add the remaining flour, remaining corn syrup and water, and beat on low speed until smooth and combined, about 1 minute.
  6. Add the chocolate chips and beat on low speed until just combined, about 30 seconds.
  7. Turn filling out over crust (I didn’t wait for crust to cool) in an even, smooth, flat layer, using a spatula to smooth it.
  8. Evenly sprinkle with about 2 tablespoons chocolate chips.
  9. Bake for about 23 to 25 minutes, or until edges have set, the center is mostly set (some jiggle is fine), and the top has a few light golden brown spots. Don’t overbake or they won’t be as gooey.
  10. Allow bars to cool in pan on a wire rack for at least 2 hours before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Storage: Bars will keep airtight at room temp for up to 1 week.
  • Crust adapted from here. Filling adapted from The Little Kitchen.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 Calories 225kcal (11%) Carbohydrates 42g (14%) Protein 4g (8%) Fat 5g (8%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Cholesterol 34mg (11%) Sodium 200mg (8%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 24g (48%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 225

% Daily Value*

Serving 1
Calories 225kcal 11%
Carbohydrates 42g 14%
Protein 4g 8%
Fat 5g 8%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Cholesterol 34mg 11%
Sodium 200mg 8%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 24g 48%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.