↑

bell' alimento

beautiful food doesn't have to be complicated

Millionaire’s Shortbread

By Paula |

Jump to Recipe

Millionaire’s Shortbread. This sweet treat is known by many names.
Whatever you prefer to call them, they’re rich, decadent, delicious and worth the effort it takes to make them. 

sliced millionaire's shortbread sitting on parchment paper, knife to side.

Millionaire’s Shortbread AKA caramel shortbread, caramel squares, caramel slice, millionaire’s slice, chocolate caramel shortbread, and Wellington squares is a sweet treat made up three layers – shortbread base topped with caramel and milk chocolate. Finished with a sprinkling of Maldon sea salt for good measure. However you slice it, squares, rectangles or triangles it won’t last long. Good news, it’s not difficult to make, bad news, it requires a bit of patience waiting on the layers. 

millionaire's shortbread sliced on baking sheet with parchment paper. Knife resting across baking sheet.

WHY IS IT CALLED MILLIONAIRE’S SHORTBREAD?

Known as Millionaire’s Shortbread, presumably because they are so rich, they consist of a layer of crumbly shortbread, a layer of soft caramel and a layer of chocolate. I think it’s similar to a Twix bar. 

INGREDIENTS TO ADD TO YOUR SHOPPING LIST: 

(the following contains affiliate links. I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.) 

Shortbread cookies – I like Walker’s Pure Butter Shortbread Rounds. 
Unsalted butter
Sweetened condensed milk
Brown sugar
Pure Vanilla Extract – Did you know you can make HOMEMADE VANILLA EXTRACT? 
Kosher salt
Dark Corn Syrup
Semi sweet chocolate chips
Coconut oil 
MALDON sea salt flakes

TIP: To change things up, trying using our BOURBON SALT in place of Maldon sea salt flakes! 

Baking sheet with parchment paper, large portion of caramel shortbread with one sliced piece in front. Knife laying across baking sheet. Small black plate above sheet with 2 stacked bars of shortbread.

EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE THESE BARS:

(The following contains affiliate links. I earn from qualifying purchases).

  • 8 x 8 baking pan – I like this dish because it comes with a handy COVER. 
  • aluminum foil
  • non-stick cooking spray
  • blender or mini food chopper – In a pinch, a zip top freezer bag works. Seal, then bash with a rolling pin to crush cookies.
  • heavy bottom pot
  • silicone heat resistant spatula – GIR are my favorite silicone spatulas.
  • microwave safe bowl – I use THESE BOWLS daily. 
  • sharp knife 

black plate with 2 stacked squares of millionaire's shortbread. Shortbread cookie pieces above plate. Knife laying crosswise on baking sheet with additional shortbread.

HERE’S HOW TO MAKE MILLIONAIRE’S SHORTBREAD: 

  1. Place foil into baking pan, making sure to cover all sides . Spray foil with non-stick spray. 
  2. FINELY crush shortbread cookies. 
  3. Place crushed cooking into baking pan. Pour 3 tablespoons melted butter over crushed cookies. Mix until combined.
    TIP: Cookies should resemble wet sand. Press cookies down until firmly packed to form crust. TIP: I use the bottom of a measuring cup to do this. Bake until golden, about 10 minutes. 
  4. While shortbread is cooking, into pot add: sweetened condensed milk, brown sugar, 6 tablespoons butter, vanilla, salt and syrup. Stir constantly over medium – high heat until mixture thickens and becomes a dark caramel color.
  5. Pour caramel over shortbread. Lightly sprinkle with kosher salt. Set aside to cool.
  6. Place chocolate and coconut oil into microwave safe dish. Melt in 30 seconds increments until chocolate is smooth. Pour chocolate over set caramel layer. Set aside to cool. Lightly sprinkle with Maldon sea salt flakes.
  7. When dish is room temperature, transfer to refrigerator for a minimum of one hour to set.
  8. Cut bars into desired size and store in an airtight container.

sliced portions of caramel shortbread on parchment paper. Knife to side.

HOW DO I EASILY SLICE MILLIONAIRE’S SHORTBREAD?

The best way I’ve found to slice Millionaire’s Shortbread is to use a very sharp knife that’s been held under hot running water. Gently score the chocolate and then cut into desired size. 

black plate with 2 squares of caramel shortbread stacked. Baking sheet with additional shortbread and knife resting on sheet above plate.

MORE RECIPES TO TRY: 

If you’re feeling inspired by this chocolate caramel shortbread bars recipe, chances are you’ll enjoy these recipes:

Millionaire's Shortbread

black plate with 2 squares of caramel shortbread stacked. Baking sheet with additional shortbread and knife resting on sheet above plate.

Millionaire's Shortbread is a layered treat consisting of layers of shortbread, caramel and chocolate.

Ingredients

  • 12 - Pure Butter Shortbread Rounds - finely crushed
  • 9 tablespoons unsalted butter - divided
  • 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons dark corn syrup
  • 8 ounces semi sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • Maldon sea salt flakes

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Line an 8 x 8 baking dish with aluminum foil. Spray foil with cooking spray.
  3. Place crushed shortbread and 3 tablespoons melted butter into bottom of baking sheet. Mix to combine. Using a spoon press down to form layer. Bake for approximately 10 minutes OR until golden. Set aside.
  4. WHILE shortbread crust is baking, into a large heavy bottom pan add: sweetened condensed milk, brown sugar, 6 tablespoons butter, vanilla, salt and syrup. Stir constantly over medium - high heat until mixture thickens and becomes a dark caramel color.
  5. Pour caramel over shortbread. Lightly sprinkle with salt. Set aside to cool.
  6. Place chocolate and coconut oil into microwave safe dish. Melt in 30 seconds increments until chocolate is smooth. Pour chocolate over set caramel layer. Set aside to cool. Lightly sprinkle with Maldon.
  7. When dish is room temperature, transfer to refrigerator for a minimum of one hour to set.
  8. Cut bars into sticks, squares or triangles and store in an airtight container.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Category: Desserts
It makes our day when you recreate any of our recipes. If you do, please consider leaving a star rating on this recipe, take a photo and TAG me on Instagram with #bellalimento. 

We would love to see them!

And make sure you SUBSCRIBE to our feed and follow bell’alimento on Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook, too!

Skip to Recipe