Peanut Butter and Chocolate Shortbread Bars Recipe

Ingredients

• 7 ounces (14 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted and cooled to just warm
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon table salt
• 9 1/2 ounces (2 cups plus 2 tablespoons) unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted peanuts, finely chopped
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter (not natural but an emulsified variety such as Jif)
• 3 ounces (6 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 6 ounces (1 1/2 cups) confectioners’ sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 5 ounces good-quality bittersweet chocolate, such as Lindt Excellence, chopped (about 1 heaping cup)
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream