Chocolate Malt Bars

Ingredients

Contains: egg, milk, wheat (auto-detected from the ingredients and method; we can miss things, so check labels)

• 1 (1 ounce) square unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup chocolate malt powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup chocolate malt powder
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons heavy cream

Directions

Method written by CompKitchen from the ingredient list. Not the original author's method, not kitchen-tested.

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8x8 inch pan.

2. Melt the chopped unsweetened chocolate with the shortening in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water, stirring until smooth. Let it cool slightly.

3. Whisk the white sugar into the melted chocolate, then beat in the eggs one at a time and the vanilla extract.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, 1/2 cup chocolate malt powder, baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir into the chocolate mixture until just combined.

5. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for about 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs and the center reaches 160°F (71°C). Cool completely in the pan on a rack.

6. For the frosting, melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Remove from the heat and stir in 1/4 cup chocolate malt powder and the pinch of salt.

7. Whisk in the confectioners' sugar and heavy cream until smooth and spreadable. Spread over the cooled bars, let set, then cut into squares.