Pine Nut Caramel Shortbread

By sybrmom

Ingredients

• 1 cup plus 2 Tbsp. butter, softened
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 3 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• Filling
• 3/4 cup butter, cubed
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3 Tbsp. heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 cups pine nutss
• 3/4 tsp. vanilla

Preparation

Step 1

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Pat onto the bottom of a greased 15x10 baking pan. Prick dough thoroughly with a fork.

Bake at 375 for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Reduce temperature of oven to 325.

In a large saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, honey, sugar, cream and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until a candy thermometer reads 234 degrees (soft-ball stage). Remove from the heat; stir in pine nuts and vanilla. Spreak evently over crust.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly. Place pan on a wire rack to cool. Sprinkle the top with coarse salt if desired. Cool completely before cutting.