Shortbread Fudge Cake

Nestle Toll House $1000 winner

• Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
• Serves: 24
• Yields: 2 dozen

Ingredients

• 1  cup butter, softened
• 2 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 1 1⁄2 cups granulated sugar, divided
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 3⁄4 cup pecans, coarsely chopped pecans
• 2  cups  semisweet chocolate morsels (12-ounce package)
• 3⁄4 cup butter
• 4  large eggs
• 2  teaspoons vanilla extract
•  powdered sugar
•  sweetened whipped cream (optional) or  vanilla ice cream (optional)
•  chocolate shavings (optional)

Directions

1. Beat 1 cup softened butter in a large mixing bowl at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy.Stir together 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and salt. Add to butter mixture, beating until crumbly. Stir in pecans.
2. Press dough into an ungreased 13- x 9-inch pan.
3. Bake at 350 °F for 25 minutes or until golden.
4. Microwave chocolate morsels and 3/4 cup butter in a 2-quart glass bowl at HIGH 1 1/2 minutes or until melted, stirring twice.
5. Whisk in eggs, vanilla, remaining 1 cup granulated sugar, and remaining 1/2 cup flour until smooth. Pour chocolate mixture over prepared crust.
6. Bake at 350 °F for 25 minutes or until set. (Do not overbake.) Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Cut into 24 bars. Transfer bars to wax paper; dust with powdered sugar. Store bars in an airtight container. If desired, serve with whipped cream or ice cream, and sprinkle with chocolate shavings.