Pretzel-Shortbread Bars

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. 2
   Line an 8 X 8 inch pan with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
3. 3
   Pulse 1 3/4 cups pretzels in a food processor until POWDERY, transfer 1/2 cup to a bowl, DISCARD any remaining pretzel powder.
4. 4
   Stir in flour and baking powder, set aside for Step 7.
5. 5
   Transfer REMAINING 1 1/2 cups of pretzels to food processor and pulse a few times until coarsely CHOPPED.
6. 6
   Beat butter, sugar, and vanilla with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
7. 7
   Reduce speed to low, and beat in egg yolk, then pretzel-flour mixture, until combined.
8. 8
   Using spoon mix in 1/2 cup of the coarsely chopped pretzels.
9. 9
   Press dough evenly into pan.
10. 10
    Top dough with 1/4 cup of the coarsely chopped pretzels, pressing slightly; discard any remaining pretzels.
11. 11
    Bake shortbread until pale brown and firm in the center -about 25 minutes, maybe 30.
12. 12
    Transfer pan to a wire rack, and let shortbread cool for 1 hour.
13. 13
    Remove shortbread from pan, and cut into 1/2 inch rectangles using a serrated knife.