Layered

I think there are layers to most things in life.  Some layers are pleasant, some are not but they all work together to create the entire experience.  My call in the NICU was a hard one last night.  We had two babies to die, I had to deal with upset parents (thankfully able to answer their questions and appease them), and admitted 3 babies...one born at 2am, meaning that I finished everything at 5:45am...no sleep for me.  But this is part of my job and as hard as that "layer" of it is, I love it and am thankful for everything I learn.  I only hope that I can display love and grace to those I come in contact with when the "layer" they are in is one of the hard ones.

I made this dessert a while back when I was in the ER.  To me, the more pleasing layer is the shortbread layer.  There is just something I love about a flaky and simply tasting shortbread.  However, the addition of the chocolate layer that is fudgy complements the flakiness of the shortbread in a delightful way.  These layers, I say, go quite well together!  I did change the recipe a bit as I didn't use the candycorn pieces and used a cake mix instead of the brownie mix, though I cannot remember EXACTLY what I did.  I know that I used 2 eggs and maybe 1/2 cup oil - simply less liquid than would be used for a cake.  The batter LOOKED like a brownie mix!  This worked quite well; so, if you don't have a brownie mix, use a cake mix.  Either way, this is a great treat!

And check out other great sweet treats at Lisa's blog!

Shortbread Candy Corn Kissed Brownies adapte from Picky Palate

1 chocolate cake mix (I used sugar free) or a 13X9 brownie mix (made to package instructions)
2 sticks softened butter
1/2 Cup granulated sugar
2 Tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 3/4 Cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare brownie mix according to package directions, set batter aside. In a stand mixer, beat butter and sugars until creamy and light. Slowly add flour and salt until combined. Press shortbread dough into a 11×7 inch baking dish lined with foil and sprayed with cooking spray. Pour brownie batter evenly over the shortbread crust. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until toothpick comes clean from center. Let cool completely before cutting into squares.  Enjoy!



2. Place remaining kisses in double broiler to melt. Spread melted chocolate over brownies, sprinkle if desired and serve.



12 brownies