Millionaire’s Shortbread Bars Recipe

If you have a sweet tooth like me, you’re going to absolutely adore this Millionaire’s Shortbread Bars Recipe. It’s the perfect treat layered with buttery shortbread, gooey caramel, and a silky chocolate topping that melts in your mouth. Whenever I make these bars, they disappear fast—my family literally goes crazy for them! Trust me, once you try this recipe, you’ll find it hard to stop at just one square.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this Millionaire’s Shortbread Bars Recipe plays a key role in creating those perfect layers that balance buttery, sweet, and rich textures. Let’s break down what you need and why I pick these over alternatives.

• Butter: Use unsalted for better control over flavor in both the shortbread and caramel layers.
• Sugar: Granulated sugar works great to help caramelize and thicken the caramel.
• Lyle’s Golden Syrup: If you can find it, it adds a lovely depth and smoothness to the caramel, but you can skip it if unavailable.
• Condensed Milk: This is the magic to get that creamy and indulgent caramel texture.
• Chocolate: I lean towards good quality dark chocolate for the top layer, but milk chocolate is just as delicious if you prefer something sweeter.
• Shortbread Base: You’ll want a rich, buttery shortbread – I use my go-to recipe linked below for the perfect sturdiness to hold the layers.

Variations

I love experimenting with this Millionaire’s Shortbread Bars Recipe, and I encourage you to customize it based on your taste or what you have on hand. It’s one of those recipes where a little creativity goes a long way.

• Salted Caramel Twist: Sprinkling flaky sea salt over the chocolate before it sets creates a fantastic salty-sweet contrast that my friends rave about.
• Chocolate Mix-Ins: Sometimes, I add chopped nuts or a swirl of peanut butter into the melted chocolate for an extra layer of texture.
• Vegan Adaptation: You can swap out the butter for vegan margarine and use coconut condensed milk to get a dairy-free but still decadent version.
• Flavored Chocolate: Try topping with white chocolate infused with a hint of espresso or orange zest for a fun twist.

How to Make Millionaire’s Shortbread Bars Recipe

Step 1: Bake the Buttery Shortbread Base

Start by prepping your shortbread base. After making the dough, press it evenly into your baking pan and gently prick the surface with a fork—this helps the shortbread bake evenly without puffing up. Bake at 350º F (170º C) for about 20 minutes until it’s lightly golden but still pale. Let it cool completely; this step ensures your caramel layer sets nicely without melting into the base. Patience here really pays off in neat layers!

Step 2: Cook the Luxurious Caramel Layer

In a heavy pan, combine butter, sugar, Golden Syrup (if using), and condensed milk. Heat gently until simmering, then reduce the heat and stir constantly. This is where your arm gets a workout but trust me—it’s worth it. You’re looking for a rich caramel color, about 235-240ºF if you have a candy thermometer. If not, the old cold water test works wonders: drop a bit of caramel in cold water, and when it forms a soft ball you’re ready to pour. Pour it immediately over the cooled shortbread, spreading it evenly for that perfect gooey layer.

Step 3: Top with Silky Chocolate

Once the caramel has firmed up, melt your chocolate. I usually zap mine in the microwave on “defrost” in short bursts, stirring in between, to avoid burning. Pour the melted chocolate over the caramel and smooth it out quickly because it sets fast. Pop the tray into the refrigerator to chill until the chocolate is firm—it’s this final touch that makes these bars so irresistible.

Step 4: Chill and Cut with Care

After chilling, use a sharp knife warmed under hot water and wiped dry to cut clean squares. This helps avoid cracked chocolate or sticky edges. Store your Millionaire’s Shortbread Bars in an airtight container, or freeze them wrapped individually if you’d like to enjoy them later.

How to Serve Millionaire’s Shortbread Bars Recipe

Garnishes

I love adding a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt over the chocolate layer right before chilling—it adds a subtle crunch and enhances the caramel’s sweetness. Sometimes, I also dust a bit of cocoa powder or drizzle white chocolate for a pretty, professional touch when serving guests.

Side Dishes

These bars are rich and decadent enough to stand alone, but I like serving them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. A cup of strong coffee or tea is a perfect pairing to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For holidays or parties, I’ve wrapped individual bars in parchment paper tied with twine—makes a charming edible gift! You can also layer bars in a pretty tin or on a dessert platter with fresh berries for some vibrant color contrast.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover bars in an airtight container in the fridge—they stay perfectly firm and moist for up to a week. Just remind everyone in the house to enjoy them quickly because they’re so tempting!

Freezing

When I want to keep some for longer, I freeze the bars individually wrapped in parchment and foil. They freeze beautifully for up to two months. Just thaw in the fridge overnight and they’re good as fresh.

Reheating

I rarely reheat these because they’re awesome cold, but if you want a softer texture, letting them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes works wonders. Avoid microwaving or you risk melting the chocolate layer too much.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Making this Millionaire’s Shortbread Bars Recipe has become one of my favorite kitchen traditions, especially when I want to impress friends or just treat my family. It’s a fun project that rewards you with layers of pure indulgence. I love sharing it because it always brings smiles and requests for seconds. So grab your ingredients, follow these steps, and enjoy every buttery, caramel-y, chocolaty bite—you’re going to want to make this one again and again!

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