Golden Millionaire Shortbread Recipe: Layers of Sweet Luxury

Chocolate drizzles cascade over layers of silky caramel and buttery millionaire shortbread that promises pure indulgence.

This classic British treat combines sweet, rich flavors in every delectable bite.

Crumbly shortbread provides a perfect golden base for the luscious caramel center.

Smooth chocolate crowns this irresistible dessert with delightful elegance.

Each slice delivers a symphony of textures that dance across your palate.

The simple ingredients belie the extraordinary complexity of flavors waiting to be savored.

You’ll want to share this showstopping dessert that transforms an ordinary moment into something truly extraordinary.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 392 kcal

Servings: 17

What You’ll Need For Millionaire Shortbread

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the buttery shortbread, provides structure and classic crumbly texture with a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth quality.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates rich, golden flavor and ensures a tender, smooth shortbread base with superior richness.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a crisp, caramelized texture in the shortbread layer.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the shortbread.

• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Delivers smooth, luxurious caramel with intense sweetness and creamy consistency.
• Butter: Adds depth of flavor and helps create a silky, luxurious caramel texture.
• Brown Sugar: Provides deep, molasses-like richness and complexity to the caramel layer.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces warm, aromatic undertones that complement the caramel's sweetness.

• Dark Chocolate: Offers a sophisticated, slightly bitter contrast to the sweet caramel and buttery shortbread.
• Unsalted Butter: Ensures smooth, glossy chocolate coating with a perfect melting consistency.
• Sea Salt: Provides a subtle, sophisticated finishing touch that elevates the entire dessert's flavor profile.

Tools That Help With Millionaire Shortbread

• 9×13-inch baking pan: Essential for creating the perfect base and even layers.
• Parchment paper: Helps easily lift the shortbread out of the pan and prevents sticking.
• Mixing bowl: Crucial for combining butter, sugar, flour, and salt to create the shortbread dough.
• Electric mixer or hand mixer: Helps cream butter and sugar quickly and smoothly.
• Fork: Used to prick the dough surface before baking.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.
• Cooling rack: Allows the shortbread base to cool evenly and quickly.

Steps To Make Millionaire Shortbread

• Create Buttery Base

Press a delightful shortbread mixture into a lined baking pan, ensuring an even layer that will become your delicious foundation. Gently poke small holes across the surface to prevent any unexpected puffing during baking.

• Golden Transformation

Slide the pan into a warm oven set at 350F. Allow the shortbread to transform into a gorgeous golden color, watching carefully for that perfect moment of doneness. Once baked, let the base cool completely, creating a sturdy platform for upcoming layers.

• Caramel Magic

Craft a rich, smooth caramel layer by heating sugar and cream until they meld into a luxurious golden sauce. Pour this silky mixture over the cooled shortbread, spreading it evenly and allowing it to set into a luscious blanket of sweetness.

• Chocolate Crown

Melt rich chocolate until it becomes glossy and smooth. Carefully pour and spread the chocolate over the caramel layer, creating a decadent final touch. Chill the entire creation until the chocolate sets into a beautiful, shiny finish.

• Slice and Serve

Remove the millionaire shortbread from the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Slice into elegant squares, revealing the stunning layers of buttery shortbread, creamy caramel, and glossy chocolate.

Baking Tips For Millionaire Shortbread

• Millionaire Shortbread Cooking Tips & Variations
• Caramel Consistency Magic: Stir caramel continuously while cooking to prevent burning and achieve a smooth, glossy texture. Use a candy thermometer for precision, aiming for 225-240°F for perfect thickness.
• Chocolate Topping Tricks: Temper chocolate by melting it slowly over a double boiler or in short microwave bursts, stirring frequently to prevent seizing and create a beautiful glossy finish.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap traditional flour with almond flour or a gluten-free flour blend to make this treat suitable for those with wheat sensitivities. Ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free.
• Flavor Exploration: Experiment with sea salt sprinkle on top, or add a hint of espresso powder to the caramel for a sophisticated twist. Try different chocolate varieties like dark, milk, or white chocolate for unique flavor profiles.
• Make-Ahead Convenience: These bars can be refrigerated for up to 5 days in an airtight container. Cut into squares just before serving to maintain the perfect texture and presentation.

How To Serve Millionaire Shortbread

• Sweet Companion Treat: Pair these decadent millionaire shortbread squares with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a luxurious dessert experience that balances the rich caramel and buttery crust.
• Elegant Coffee Moment: Serve alongside a hot espresso or cappuccano to complement the sweet caramel layers, creating a perfect afternoon indulgence that elevates your coffee break.
• Festive Party Platter: Cut into small bite-sized pieces and arrange on a decorative platter for gatherings, allowing guests to enjoy these elegant treats as a sophisticated dessert option that looks impressive and tastes amazing.
• Gifting Delight: Wrap individual squares in parchment paper with a ribbon, transforming these shortbread treats into a homemade edible gift that shows personal touch and culinary skill.

How To Store Millionaire Shortbread

• Refrigerator Storage Strategy: Keep your millionaire shortbread in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Layer pieces between wax paper to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate texture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire dessert 2-3 days before serving. The flavors intensify and caramel layers set beautifully when chilled, making it perfect for advance preparation.
• Freezing Fantastic: Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Millionaire shortbread can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results.
• Room Temperature Tips: Allow chilled shortbread to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. This softens the caramel and brings out the rich, buttery flavors, creating a more enjoyable eating experience.

Decadent Millionaire Shortbread Recipe

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4.7 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 17 1x

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Description

Millionaire shortbread delights dessert enthusiasts with its rich layers of buttery crust, creamy caramel, and smooth chocolate. Refined Scottish treat promises indulgent moments for chocolate and caramel lovers seeking pure bliss.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups (4 sticks or 454 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups (255 g) semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
• 1 can (14 oz or 397 g) sweetened condensed milk
• 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (220 g) light brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• 4 tbsps golden syrup (or light corn syrup)
• 1 tbsp coconut oil or unsalted butter (optional, for smoother texture)
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare Shortbread Base: Press the shortbread mixture evenly into a lined rectangular pan, using gentle pressure to create a smooth surface. Puncture the dough with a fork to prevent uneven rising during baking.
2. Bake and Cool Foundation: Bake the shortbread in a preheated oven until edges turn a light amber color, signaling perfect doneness. Allow the base to cool completely, establishing a sturdy foundation for subsequent layers.
3. Create Caramel Layer: Slowly melt butter and sugar, stirring continuously to prevent scorching. Cook until the mixture transforms into a deep amber liquid with a glossy, smooth consistency. Pour the warm caramel over the cooled shortbread, spreading evenly across the entire surface.
4. Chocolate Topping: Utilize a double-boiler method to melt chocolate, maintaining a smooth, glossy texture. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the caramel layer, creating an elegant marbled pattern. Use a spatula to swirl if desired.
5. Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the assembled dessert to set layers completely. Once firm, lift the dessert from the pan using parchment paper edges. Slice into precise, uniform squares with a sharp knife, cleaning the blade between cuts to ensure clean edges.

Notes

• Prevent Shortbread Crumbling: Ensure shortbread base is well-pressed and compact to maintain structural integrity and avoid crumbly texture.
• Control Caramel Consistency: Stir sugar and butter slowly and continuously to achieve perfect amber color without burning, preventing grainy or separated caramel.
• Chocolate Melting Technique: Use double-boiler method to melt chocolate gently, avoiding direct heat that can cause scorching or seizing.
• Chilling for Perfect Layers: Refrigerate dessert completely between each layer to help set and create clean, defined segments when cutting.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 17
• Calories: 392
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 41 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 48 mg