Millionaires Shortbread – Experience the luxuriousness of Millionaires Shortbread, a treat consisting of three layers; a buttery shortbread base, a velvety caramel middle, and a luscious chocolate topping. This recipe is perfect, for those who appreciate the things in life offering a combination of textures and flavors that will undoubtedly satisfy any sweet tooth.
I can still vividly remember the first time I prepared Millionaires Shortbread on a leisurely Sunday afternoon. The kitchen was filled with the aroma of caramel while my husband observed with curiosity and our little one couldn’t resist sneaking a taste. When we finally sat down to enjoy them there was a silence in the room interrupted by satisfied murmurs and the sound of fingers being licked clean. It wasn’t a dessert; it quickly became a family favorite—a recipe that felt like an embrace, with every bite.
What makes this Millionaires Shortbread truly special?
Millionaires Shortbread offers a trio of textures that captivate your senses; a butter-infused shortbread base that provides an enjoyable crunch, followed by a thick and gooey caramel center representing ultimate indulgence in sweetness. Lastly, there’s the layer of chocolate that luxuriously melts on your tongue. This dessert is not just visually appealing, with its layers of elegance. It also offers a lot of flexibility for bakers to add their creative touches using different toppings. It’s great for occasions where you want to prepare ahead of time as these bars stay deliciously consistent. They’re perfect for gatherings, gifts or as a dessert to enjoy with your family. Both, in the making and devouring!
What You Need To Make This Millionaire Shortbread Recipe?
Unsalted Butter (Shortbread & Caramel): Unsalted butter plays a role, in creating a velvety foundation for both the base and the caramel. It allows you to control the level of saltiness while ensuring a buttery taste that simply melts in your mouth.
Caster Sugar (Shortbread & Caramel): The fine crystals of caster sugar dissolve seamlessly providing a sweetness to the shortbread and a smooth velvety texture to the caramel.
Plain Flour: Plain flour is what gives the shortbread its firmness and crumbly texture. It serves as the heart of this treat perfectly contrasting with the soft caramel.
Golden Syrup: This golden nectar adds warmth and toastiness to the flavor profile while imparting an amber hue to the caramel. It brings a depth that goes beyond what ordinary sweeteners can offer.
Condensed Milk: Condensed milk is essential, for achieving a dreamy caramel consistency. It thickens into a fudge texture enveloping the shortbread in its sweetness.
Milk Chocolate (Decoration): As a finishing touch milk chocolate provides a silky topping that delicately cracks when you take a bite. Its comforting and familiar taste beautifully complements the richness below.
White Chocolate (Decoration): White chocolate, when used as a decoration does more than just make things look pretty. It brings a contrast, to the mix. When gently swirled into the milk chocolate it creates a beautiful finishing touch that is not only visually appealing but also delicious to taste.
Steps To Make Millionaires Shortbread:
Step 1: Warm your oven’s embrace to 180C/160C Fan. Line a square tin with parchment, like laying out a picnic blanket, ready for a feast.
Step 2: In the quiet alchemy of your kitchen, cream butter and sugar until it whispers smoothness, then invite the flour in until a dough forms like a tender promise. Press this into the tin, as you would pat the earth before planting seeds, and bake until it blushes golden.
Step 3: Now, let’s conjure up the caramel. In a saucepan, melt together the butter, sugar, syrup, and condensed milk. Stir with the rhythm of a heartbeat until it sings into a boil, thickening into a golden pool of luxury. Pour this over your shortbread with the care of draping a blanket over a sleeping child, then cool it down in the fridge’s calm.
Step 4: For the finale, melt chocolates separately, then crown the caramel with a chocolate duet. Swirl them together like autumn leaves in the wind, and chill until the chocolate sets into a smooth, firm layer.
Step 5: Slice this golden treasure into bars and serve, watching as each piece brings a moment of pure indulgence, a sweet slice of luxury that turns an ordinary day into a celebration.
Tip:
For caramel that sets just right—not too hard, not too runny—the secret lies in the simmer. Once your sugar has dissolved and you’ve brought your mixture to a boil, let it bubble away until it reaches that deep golden color, but keep your eye on the clock and your spoon in constant motion. Stirring continuously prevents burning and ensures even cooking, which is crucial for that soft, velvety texture that holds its shape without oozing when you slice through it. To test if it’s ready, drop a little of the caramel into a bowl of cold water. It should form a soft ball that flattens when picked up—indicating it’s time to pour over your shortbread base. Patience here will reward you with a layer of caramel that’s the golden crown of your Millionaires Shortbread, setting the stage for that final chocolate flourish.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate?
Of course! Using dark chocolate will provide a flavor that beautifully complements the sweetness of the caramel.
How do I store Millionaires Shortbread?
To keep it at its best store Millionaires Shortbread in an airtight container, at room temperature for a softer texture. If you prefer a firmer bite you can also store it in the fridge.
My caramel isn’t setting, what can I do?
Firstly ensure that you boil the caramel for 5 to 7 minutes as instructed. If it still doesn’t set properly try refrigerating it for a bit longer. Remember, patience is key and your patience will be rewarded with sweetness.
Millionaires Shortbread
- Total Time: 4 hours
- Yield: 16 People 1x
Description
Take a journey, with Millionaires Shortbread. Savor the exquisite medley of textures it offers. Starting with a buttery shortbread base you’ll be enchanted as it gives way to a thick layer of golden caramel infused with the flavors of slow-cooked sugar and butter. To top it all off there’s a milk chocolate coating that’s beautifully adorned with streaks of chocolate. This treat isn’t a dessert; it’s an escapade that guarantees moments of pure and unadulterated bliss. Each square promises to turn any day into a celebration of opulence and taste.
Ingredients
Shortbread Ingredients:
200 grams unsalted butter
100 grams caster sugar
275 grams plain flour
Caramel Ingredients:
200 grams unsalted butter
3 tablespoons caster sugar
4 tablespoons golden syrup
397 grams condensed milk (one tin)
Decoration:
200 grams milk chocolate
100 grams white chocolate
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 180C (160C Fan). Prepare a 9×9 inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper.
For the Shortbread:
Using a mixer blend together 200 grams of butter and 100 grams of caster sugar until the mixture is smooth.
Gradually incorporate 275 grams of flour into the mixture until you achieve a crumbly dough consistency.
Press the dough into the baking pan and bake for approximately 20 to 25 minutes or until it turns a pale golden color. Allow it to cool completely.
For the Caramel:
In a saucepan melt 200 grams of butter along, with 3 tablespoons of caster sugar, 4 tablespoons of syrup and 397 grams of condensed milk. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely.
Increase the heat. Bring the mixture to a boil. Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes while stirring continuously until it thickens and develops a hue.
Pour this caramel sauce over the cooled shortbread base and refrigerate for one hour to allow it to set.
For Decoration:
Melt Milk Chocolate: Take 200 grams of milk chocolate. Melt it. Pour this melted chocolate evenly over the caramel layer.
Melt White Chocolate: Melt another portion weighing around 100 grams of chocolate. Drizzle this melted chocolate in a pattern over the milk chocolate layer using a skewer or toothpick to create swirls.
Place in the refrigerator for two hours. Until both layers have firmly set due, to cooling down sufficiently.
To Serve:
Fully set, cut your Millionaires Shortbread into bars or squares according to your preference. Enjoy this homemade treat!
Notes
Imagine a world where everyone regardless of their restrictions can savor the taste of the classic Millionaires Shortbread. Our gluten-free version brings this dream to life. Start by using a gluten-free flour blend, for the shortbread base that closely mimics the qualities of traditional wheat flour resulting in that beloved crumbly texture. While blending the butter and sugar let the mixer work its magic creating a haven of gluten-free goodness that doesn’t compromise on flavor. As for the caramel and chocolate layers they are naturally gluten-free and remain just as indulgent, as ever.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
My name is Natasha and I am the owner of nodashofgluten.com, a blog dedicated to all kinds of recipes. On my website, you can find classic dishes, vegetarian delights, creative snacks, Gluten-free recipes, and desserts – all proving that cooking isn’t as hard as it seems! With easy-to-follow instructions and tips on how to make your meals even better, I strive to help everyone become master chefs in their own kitchen. Come join me at nodashofgluten.com for some delicious fun!
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