Real Life Recipes

Orange Chocolate Shortbread Bars
As prepared by Elizabeth Baird, Executive Food Editor of Canadian Living Magazine

Orange Chocolate Shortbread Bars (p. 158 in "The Complete Christmas Book" by Canadian Living)

2 cups butter, softened
1 cup instant dissolving (fruit/berry) sugar
1 tbsp grated orange rind
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup rice flour
1 cup mini choc chips

Line 17 x 11 rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, leaving 1 inch overhang for handles, or grease; set aside.

In bowl, beat butter until fluffy; beat in sugar until smooth.  Stir in orange rind.  In separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose and rice flours; stir into butter mixture in 2 additions.  Stir in chocolate chips.  Pat into prepared pan.

Bake in bottom third of 325 degree F oven until lightly browned, 30 to 35 minutes.  Let cool on pan on rack (Make ahead: Wrap and store in airtight container for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 1 month.)  Cut into bars.

** To dress up the bars, dip the corners into melted semisweet chocolate then let set on rack.