Chocolate Ginger Shortbread

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup finely chopped candied ginger
powdered sugar

2 ounces bittersweet chocolates, chopped
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup superfine sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 pinch salt
1 cup chopped crystallized ginger

Directions

Preheat oven to 300 F. In heatproof bowl over saucepan of hot (not boiling) water, melt chocolate, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let cool. Meanwhile, in bowl, beat butter with sugar until fluffy. Stir in chocolate and vanilla. Add flour and salt; stir until blended. Mix in chopped crystallized ginger. Divide into 4 equal parts and chill 2 hours or until firm. Turn onto lightly floured work surface and roll out to 1/4″ thickness. Cut with cookie cutters and place cookies on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake 30 minutes or until firm to the touch. Remove from oven and let cool for 2 minutes, then remove to wire racks to cool completely. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.