Millionaire’s Shortbread Recipe

Millionaire’s Shortbread is a rich, decadent treat made up of three layers: a shortbread crust, chewy golden caramel, and thick chocolate ganache.

I don’t know about you, but to me, it doesn’t get any better than that.

Because millionaire’s shortbread has three layers, you might find it intimidating to make. Luckily, it’s actually not complicated at all.

In fact, you can whip up these shortbread bars in just over an hour! Plus, it’s so delightful, it’s worth the effort.

So, why eat regular shortbread when you can have millionaire’s shortbread instead?

What is Millionaire’s Shortbread?

For those of you who may have heard of millionaire shortbread before but have never really seen or tried it yet, here’s the gist.

It’s a 3-layer cookie bar made of three distinct layers.

1. The shortbread crust
2. A layer of chewy golden caramel
3. A thick chocolate ganache topping.

Imagine a gourmet version of the famous Twix candy bar. 

And while no one knows exactly how it got its name, we’re guessing it’s because of the rich, decadent flavor.

But you don’t have to be crazy rich to make these delightful treats! Anyone can make this tasty dessert. In fact, kids love to join in on this one.

All you need are a few simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. Check out what you’ll need below.

Ingredients

• Flour. All-purpose is fine. It forms the base of the shortbread.

• White and Brown Sugar. Sweeten the shortbread and caramel, respectively. The sugar in the caramel is also what gives it the taste and texture we all know and love.

• Butter. To bind the filling and make the caramel smooth and glossy.

• Condensed milk. Make sure to get sweetened condensed milk, not evaporated. They aren’t the same thing. It’s to make the caramel extra luxurious.

• Maple syrup. For flavor and to keep the caramel from turning grainy. Go with real, pure maple syrup for this recipe. Don’t use the imitation stuff; it doesn’t work as well.

• Salt and Vanilla. To balance the caramel.

• Chocolate. For the yummy topping. You can add cream if you want a softer finish.

How to Make Millionaire’s Shortbread

Part I: Shortbread Layer

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Pulse the flour, sugar, and butter cubes until crumbly.
3. Press the mix into a 9×9-inch baking pan lined with parchment paper.
4. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-30 minutes or until golden.
5. Set aside to cool to room temperature. 

Part II: Caramel

While the shortbread is cooking, it’s time to make the caramel topping.

1. Mix the butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, and condensed milk in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Keep stirring as it bubbles, about 5-6 minutes.
3. Remove when thick, add the salt and vanilla, then pour over the crust.
4. Pop the tray in the fridge to set.

Part III: Chocolate Topping

If you like a chocolate shell that cracks when you take a bite, just use plain chocolate.

If you want a layer of semi-soft ganache you can easily bite through, add some cream to the chocolate.

Either way, the method is the same:

1. Melt the chocolate (and cream, if using) in 30-second intervals in the microwave until smooth.
2. Pour the chocolate over the cooled caramel.
3. Refrigerate until set.

Part IV: Cutting

1. Fill a tall measuring glass with hot water and place a chef’s knife inside.
2. When warm, wipe dry with the paper towel then make a single cut.
3. Dip the knife back into the hot water, dry, and cut.
4. Repeat this until the slab is cut.
5. Take a photo of the finished product, upload it on Instagram, and let your followers drool over your masterpiece.
6. Serve to family and friends. Best eaten with a cup of coffee or warm milk.

Tips & Tricks

• Balance out the sweetness. Drizzle some sea salt to really make the chocolate and caramel flavors pop! It adds a nice crunch to the snack as well.

• Don’t overheat the chocolate. When melting chocolate with a microwave, do not microwave for over 20 seconds at a time to avoid overheating and curdling.

• Make them prettier. Swirl some white chocolate into your dark chocolate ganache, and you’ll look like a pro in your friends’ eyes!

• Use this trick to save time. Instead of making the shortbread from scratch, combine crushed shortbread cookies and melted butter. It may not taste as good as freshly baked shortbread, but it’s still so good and saves you a lot of time.

• Use any type of chocolate you prefer. I like using half milk chocolate and half semi-sweet chocolate. You could even use white chocolate. It’s totally up to you!

• Substitute something else for maple syrup. Maple syrup is best. But if you don’t have any, you can use corn syrup or golden syrup instead.

Can You Freeze Them?

You can freeze millionaire’s shortbread, but you’ll need to freeze them individually. Here’s what to do:

1. Cut them.
2. Wrap each piece separately in a layer of plastic wrap.
3. Wrap the plastic-wrapped pieces in aluminum foil.
4. Place the pieces in a large, freezer-safe Ziploc bag.
5. Label and date the bag.
6. Stick it in the freezer.

You can freeze the dessert for up to 3 months. Let them thaw in the fridge overnight before serving them.

If you don’t want to freeze them, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They should last about 5 days.