Dark Chocolate Truffle Shortbread Bars

I've been feeling down lately, due to the weather and delay in schooling. I try not to whine about it, but sadly, I have to wait until next year to go back to school. While I'm disappointed, our decision is the best for our family. Talking about, isn't it spring already? Why does the fall/winter weather linger around, I do not know. Whenever the weather is icky, I feel icky too. I'm much happier during summer time.

We, human, have no control over Mother Nature. If only we could prevent natural disaster, if only we could change the weather. Sadly, we can't. Don't be discouraged. One thing we can control is ourselves. So to cheer us up in this gloomy weather, and trying to cope with news of natural disaster, something as simple as chocolate shortbread bars could help. I won't say that it'll cure our heartaches or make us forget all calamities. But it does help. It makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside.

Dark chocolate truffle shortbread bars

For the shortbread:

1. Line a 9x9 square pan with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 400F.
2. Whisk together 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup sugar and 1/4 tsp salt. Add in 1 stick unsalted butter, softened. Mash with fork until it resembles bread crumbs. Add in 1 large egg yolk and mix until the dough comes together. 
3. Press the dough into the prepared pan. Prick it with fork and bake for 18 minutes or until it's golden brown.
4. Let it cool before you pour the chocolate truffle (recipe followed)

For the dark chocolate truffle:

1. Heat in a double boiler, 12oz chopped dark chocolate and 1 1/4 cups heavy cream. Stir gently until the mixture is smooth and glossy.
2. Once it has cooled to room temperature, pour the dark chocolate truffle on top of the shortbread. 
3. Put in the refrigerator until it firms up a bit, take it out and using heated knife, slice into bars.

It won't erase all the tribulations away, but it stops my whiny ass from complaining and be thankful for once. :)