Ingredients
Yield: one 8x8-inch pan, 9 to 12 generous squares
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: about 12 to 13 minutes
Total Time: 4+ hours, for cooling and setting up
Shortbread Crust:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, extremely soft (1 stick)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Peanut Butter Filling:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 heaping cup creamy peanut butter (not homemade or 'natural', it's too thin and runny)
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt, optional and to taste
Chocolate Layer:
1 heaping cup (about 8 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons vegetable shortening, optional but recommended so chocolate doesn't set up overly firm and crack upon slicing
Preparation
