Shortbread Brownies

This is a winner in the Best Brownies Ever Category in March 2005 Better Homes and Gardens Magazine.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 24

Ingredients

• SHORTBREAD CRUST LAYER

• 1  cup flour
• 1⁄4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1⁄2 cup butter
• 1⁄4 cup  miniature semisweet chocolate chips

• BROWNIE LAYER

• 1 1⁄3 cups sugar
• 3⁄4 cup flour
• 1⁄2 cup  unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 3  eggs
• 1⁄3 cup butter, melted
• 1  tablespoon vanilla
• 1⁄2 cup  miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Line a 9x9 inch baking pan with foil.
3. Stir together 1 cup flour and the brown sugar in a bowl; cut in 1/2 cup butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Stir in 1/4 cup of the chocolate chips.
5. Press into the prepared pan and bake for 8 minutes.
6. While the crust bakes, mix together the sugar, 3/4 cup flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
7. Add eggs, melted butter, and vanilla; beat until smooth.
8. Stir in 1/2 cup chocolate chips, and spread the batter over the crust.
9. Bake for 40 minutes.
10. Cool in the pan on a wire rack before removing and cutting into squares.