Chocolate Pecan Shortbread

(Makes about 24 bars)

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans
  • 1 12-ounce package (1-3/4 cups) "M&M's"® Semi-Sweet ChocolateMini Baking Bits
  • Chocolate Glaze (recipe follows)

    • Method

    1. Preheat oven to 375°F.(350°F for glass pan)
    2. Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy; blend in vanilla. Add flour and mix only until blended; dough will be stiff.
    3. Stir in pecans and 1 cup "M&M's"® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Mini Baking Bits. Press dough into 13 x 9-inch pan.
    4. Sprinkle top with 1/3 cup baking bits; press lightly into dough. Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until light golden brown.
    5. Cool completely. Drizzle with CHOCOLATE GLAZE. Cut into bars.
    6. Store in tightly covered container.
      -CHOCOLATE GLAZE-
      Place remaining "M&M's"® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Mini Baking Bits in a microwave proof container; add 1 tablespoon milk. Heat 1 minute on HIGH; stir until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is smooth; blend in additional milk, 1 teaspoonful at a time, to reach desired consistency. Pour mixture into a zipper-type plastic sandwich bag; close bag tightly, removing all air. Snip a tiny piece off one corner of the bag (not more than 1/8 inch). Holding top of bag tightly, drizzle glaze in desired pattern.