Millionaire Shortbread (Chocolate Caramel Shortbread)

Millionaire shortbread — often known as millionaire’s shortbread, caramel slice, chocolate caramel shortbread, or home made Twix bars — is a decadent mixture of buttery shortbread topped with a thick layer of caramel and completed with chocolate.

In case you ever watch Nice British Bake Off, you in all probability have seen them make or speak about millionaire shortbread a time or two.

This decadent deal with is ideal for this time of 12 months. It will be unbelievable added to home made reward containers alongside chocolate-covered peanut butter balls, rum balls, and simple peanut butter fudge.

However it’s not only for the vacations! Truthfully, millionaire shortbread is scrumptious any time you wish to make an indulgent deal with, whether or not it’s for a birthday, particular dinner, or simply since you want a day pick-me-up.

What’s millionaire shortbread?

Millionaire shortbread goes by a lot of various names. You might need heard it referred to as millionaire’s shortbread, caramel slice, chocolate caramel shortbread, and even home made Twix.

However despite the fact that the names would possibly change, the parts are all the identical. These decadent cookie bars include buttery shortbread topped with a thick layer of wealthy caramel. The entire thing is completed with a layer of chocolate and, if you happen to’re like me, a little bit of flakey sea salt.

Millionaire shortbread is standard within the UK (particularly Scotland), Australia, and New Zealand. Right here within the US we’re extra accustomed to the sweet bar model, Twix. However precise millionaire shortbread is even higher!

This wealthy, decadent shortbread is correct at dwelling in the course of the vacation season, however is simply as scrumptious with a cup of tea or bourbon sizzling toddy on a weekend afternoon.

make millionaire shortbread

Millionaire shortbread appears to be like so fairly with its clear layers, it looks as if the form of dessert that might be intimidating to make. However I’m going to stroll you thru every step!

Components you’ll want

The bottom of this recipe is a shortbread crust. For this, you’ll need:

• 12 tablespoons room-temperature unsalted butter
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon high quality sea salt

Your butter positively must be softened to room temperature earlier than you begin mixing the shortbread. In case you overlook to set it out forward of time, take a look at my recommendations on the way to soften butter shortly.

Ensure you know the way to measure flour accurately earlier than you begin baking. It will assist your shortbread to prove good each time.

For the caramel layer, you’ll need:

• 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, lower into tablespoon-sized items
• ¼ cup gentle corn syrup
• ½ cup packed gentle brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
• ½ teaspoon high quality sea salt

While you’re on the retailer, be sure to purchase sweetened condensed milk and never evaporated milk. They’re often proper subsequent to one another on the shelf, however are NOT the identical factor.

In case you stay exterior of the US, you’ll use golden syrup instead of the corn syrup. I’ve not tried making this recipe with honey as an alternative of corn syrup, however have readers who’ve made that swap efficiently in my pecan bars.

In case you’re out of brown sugar, make a easy brown sugar substitute to make use of as an alternative. And if it hardened within the pantry, take a look at my recommendations on the way to soften brown sugar and save your self a visit to the shop.

For the chocolate topping, you’ll need:

• 8 ounces chopped semisweet chocolate
• 1 teaspoon coconut oil or vegetable shortening
• flaky sea salt (non-obligatory)

In case you don’t have bars of semisweet chocolate available, you should utilize high-quality chocolate chips as an alternative.

Making this shortbread

First we have to make the shortbread base.

Utilizing a mixer, cream the butter and sugar till gentle and fluffy. It will take 3-5 minutes; don’t attempt to rush this step.

Add the flour and the salt and blend till simply mixed. The dough can have the feel of coarse crumbs. That is what we would like to be able to preserve the shortbread tender and crumbly.

Press the dough into the underside of a lined and greased 9×9-inch pan. Bake the shortbread layer at 325°F for 30-35 minutes or till gentle golden brown.

Flip the oven off and let the shortbread cool when you make the caramel.

Add the sweetened condensed milk, butter, corn syrup, and brown sugar to a medium saucepan. Carry the combination to a boil over medium warmth, stirring consistently. Let boil for five minutes, stirring the entire time.

Because the caramel cooks, it can thicken. After it has boiled for five minutes, take the pan off the warmth and stir within the vanilla and the salt.

Pour the caramel over the shortbread and unfold it into a good layer. Place the pan within the fridge for about half-hour to set the caramel layer earlier than including the chocolate layer.

Mix the chocolate chips and oil or shortening in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on 50% energy for 1 minute, then stir. Preserve microwaving at 50% energy in 30-second increments, stirring after every. The chocolate is prepared when it’s absolutely melted and easy.

Unfold the chocolate in a good layer over the caramel. In case you’d like, sprinkle with a little bit of flakey sea salt whereas the chocolate continues to be heat.

Chill the millionaire shortbread within the fridge till the chocolate is agency. Reduce into squares and revel in!

Storage ideas

Retailer your millionaire shortbread in an hermetic container at room temperature for as much as 5 days or within the fridge for as much as 2 weeks.

In case your kitchen is very warm otherwise you make this recipe in the course of the summer season months, I recommend preserve it within the fridge to maintain the caramel from attending to delicate and gooey.

I like to recommend letting the millionaire shortbread come to room temperature earlier than serving, though some individuals want theirs barely chilled.

You may as well retailer the shortbread within the freezer. Wrap the bars in a layer of plastic wrap and retailer in an hermetic container. Freeze for 3 months. Let thaw earlier than serving.

Recipe variations

This millionaire shortbread recipe is for the traditional model, however there are a couple of methods you possibly can add different flavors and make it your individual:

• Attempt browning the butter for the shortbread layer, much like this recipe for shortbread brown butter cookies.
• Add a little bit of lemon or orange zest to the shortbread. Rub the citrus zest into the sugar like after we make glazed lemon scones, then cream the sugar with the butter.
• Add some espresso powder to the shortbread layer, much like these espresso shortbread cookies.
• Add a little bit of bourbon to the caramel once you stir within the vanilla and salt.
• Swap the semisweet chocolate for darkish chocolate.
• In case you want much less chocolate, use 6 ounces of chopped chocolate and slightly below 1 teaspoon of coconut oil or shortening.