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Millionaire Bars feature decadent layers of homemade buttery shortbread, creamy caramel, and thick chocolate ganache. Don’t forget a sprinkle of flaky salt for that irresistible sweet-salty finish.
Welcome to your new favorite dessert, millionaire bars! They feature all the good stuff: crisp shortbread crust, creamy caramel, and a layer of fudgy chocolate on top. What could be better? Each layer is completely homemade, but it’s not difficult. I’ll teach you how to make this classic dessert so you can enjoy it again and again.
Like my turtle cheesecake and lemon tiramisu, this is a super rich and unique dessert that always wins wave reviews! So, let’s layer up the cookies, caramel, and ganache, and dig in. You may want to cut small pieces – then again, you may not!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bursting with flavor. From the buttery shortbread to the sweet caramel and dark chocolate, every bite of a millionaire bar is just super flavorful.
- Special. While millionaire bars are similar to candy bars, they are so much better because they are homemade! And, you won’t see these bars often, making them a unique treat to enjoy.
- Loved by all. From adults to kids, millionaire’s shortbread has something for everyone. You can leave off the flaky salt if it’s too much for the younger crowd, or just add it to half the pan to suit all tastes.
What Is Millionaire’s Shortbread?
Millionaire’s shortbread, or millionaire bars, is a layered dessert with homemade shortbread on the bottom, a middle layer of caramel, and a chocolate icing layer on top. They get their name because you’ll feel like a million bucks when you take a bite! Seriously, though, this is a decadent dessert, and its name is a playful nod to the richness of the smooth caramel and chocolate ganache.
Recipe Ingredients
I’ve included an overview of the ingredients you’ll need for millionaire shortbread bars below. Scroll down to the recipe card at the end of this post for the full ingredient amounts.
For the Shortbread Crust
- Butter – For baking, I always use unsalted butter so that it doesn’t compete with the sweetness of the finished dessert.
- Superfine Sugar – If you don’t have superfine sugar, you can process granulated sugar in a food processor until fine. Or, you can just use regular granulated sugar.
- All-Purpose Flour – Use the spoon and sweep method to measure your flour for the best accuracy.
- Vanilla Extract – A little pure vanilla extract adds depth of flavor.
- Salt – To add flavor.
For the Caramel Filling
- Condensed Milk – Make sure to pick up a can of sweetened condensed milk rather than unsweetened.
- Butter – Again, use unsalted butter so that the caramel isn’t too salty.
- Brown Sugar – I use light brown sugar. You can also use dark brown sugar.
- Heavy Cream – In a pinch, use half-and-half although heavy cream is best.
- Vanilla Extract – For flavor.
- Salt – To balance the sweetness of the caramel.
For the Chocolate Ganache
- Chocolate Chips – For richness, use milk chocolate chips.
- Heavy Cream – Creates a smooth, creamy texture and ensures the chocolate stays soft and spreadable once cooled.
- Flakey Sea Salt – To sprinkle over the top of the bars.
How To Make Millionaire Bars
Follow along with my photos below to give you an idea of how to make millionaire’s shortbread. Find the detailed instructions in the recipe card lower down.
- Make the shortbread crust: Preheat the oven and line a 9×9-inch baking pan.
- Cream the butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar.
- Add the flour: Gradually add the flour, vanilla, and salt.
- Mix: Blend until the dough comes together.
- Bake the dough: Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan, then bake for about 25 minutes.
- Cool: Remove from the oven to cool completely.
- Make the Caramel: Combine the condensed milk, butter, brown sugar, and heavy cream.
- Cook: Stir the mixture constantly over medium heat for 10-15 minutes.
- Add the vanilla: Stir in the vanilla extract and salt until well combined.
- Pour and set: Pour the caramel filling over the shortbread crust and let the caramel set at room temperature until firm.
- Make the chocolate ganache: Combine the milk chocolate chips and heavy cream, then microwave and stir until the chocolate is fully melted. Pour the chocolate ganache over the caramel.
- Sprinkle with salt: If you like, sprinkle flaky sea salt over the ganache.
- Chill: Refrigerate the millionaire bars for 1-2 hours before cutting and serving.
Recipe Tips for Success
- Make Perfect Caramel: Watch the caramel to make sure it doesn’t burn otherwise you’ll have to start it again (you do NOT want burnt caramel here!). The key to making the best caramel is patience. Stir the mixture constantly to avoid burning, and make sure it reaches a deep golden color before removing it from the heat. You may also wish to use a candy thermometer to ensure the caramel reaches the proper temperature (340–350°F).
- Use Good-Quality Chocolate: For a smoother ganache, use high-quality chocolate chips, such as Guiittard, or chop up a good-quality chocolate bar.
- Try Another Type of Chocolate: Milk chocolate is on the sweeter side. Try using semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips if you want a bit more flavor contrast and less sweetness.
- Let the Ganache Set: To prevent the chocolate ganache from cracking when you cut the bars, allow the ganache to set at room temperature for about 5-10 minutes before refrigerating.
- Unsalted Butter: As noted in the ingredients list, using unsalted butter allows you to control the salt content in the recipe. If you only have salted butter, reduce the additional salt in the recipe to avoid overpowering the other flavors.
- For Clean Cuts: Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts to get clean, even slices. You can run the knife under hot water, dry it, and then slice through the bars for best results.
Serving Suggestions
These Millionaire Bars are the perfect addition to your Christmas cookie spread! With their crisp shortbread crust, creamy caramel, and chocolate topping, they’re a decadent treat that stands out among the classics. Pair them with some festive favorites like my stained glass cookies, cake mix cookies, and candy cane cookies! Together, they’ll make your holiday dessert table unforgettable!
Proper Storage
- Fridge – Store the millionaire bars covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer – Wrap individual bars in plastic, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw the bars in the fridge before serving.
More Easy Dessert Recipes
- Chocolate Fondue
- Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treats
- French Silk Pie
- Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats
- Pecan Pie Brownies
Millionaire Bars
Millionaire Bars are made of decadent layers of homemade buttery shortbread, creamy caramel, and thick chocolate ganache.
Ingredients
For the Shortbread Crust:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- ¾ cup superfine granulated sugar, or caster sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Caramel Filling:
- 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup heavy cream, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Chocolate Ganache:
- 2 cups milk chocolate chips
- ½ cup heavy cream
Instructions
Shortbread Crust
- Prep. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
- Cream the butter and sugar. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the unsalted butter and superfine white sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Mix in the rest of the ingredients. Gradually add the all-purpose flour, vanilla extract, and salt to the butter mixture. Mix on low speed until the dough comes together and forms a smooth, crumbly texture.
- Transfer the dough to the pan. Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan, ensuring an even layer across the bottom. Use the back of a spoon or your fingers to smooth it out.
- Bake. Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Cool. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan.
Caramel Filling
- Make the caramel. In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the sweetened condensed milk, unsalted butter, light brown sugar, and heavy cream.
- Cook the caramel. Place the saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly as the mixture heats, allowing the butter and sugar to melt and combine fully. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens and turns a deep golden color, about 10-15 minutes.
- Pour the caramel over the crust. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salt until well combined. Pour the caramel filling over the cooled shortbread crust, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- Let it set. Allow the caramel to set at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes or until firm.
Chocolate Ganache
- Cook the chocolate chips and heavy cream. Meanwhile, in a microwave-safe bowl, combine the milk chocolate chips and heavy cream. Microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring between each, until the chocolate is fully melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy.
- Pour the chocolate over the caramel sauce. Pour the chocolate ganache over the set caramel layer, spreading it evenly to cover the caramel completely.
- Add sea salt. Optionally, sprinkle flaky sea salt on top of the ganache for a touch of salty contrast.
Chill and Serve
- Chill. Refrigerate the assembled bars for at least 1-2 hours or until the chocolate ganache is fully set.
- Cut. Once chilled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars from the pan. Place them on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut into squares or rectangles.
- Serve. Serve the millionaire bars chilled or at room temperature. Store any leftovers in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator.
Equipment
Nutrition
Serving: 1bar | Calories: 527kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 167mg | Potassium: 190mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 44g | Vitamin A: 884IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 104mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
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