Taste and Occasion

The finished shortbread, topped with caramel and chocolate, might remind you of a Twix bar—but in a decidedly better way! Admittedly, the millionaire’s shortbread recipe is not the healthiest option; if you’re counting calories, a crispbread might be your better choice. But let’s be honest: you need a little motivation to prepare this indulgence. The three layers involved are quite elaborate, so it’s essential to be ready from the start. But don’t worry—the topping is simply a basic chocolate icing, making this chocolate-caramel shortbread easier than it might initially seem.

Ingredients

The dough is based on a simple shortbread recipe, with semolina as a delightful “secret ingredient” in addition to flour. For the caramel layer, you have various options: the original recipe usually calls for sweetened condensed milk, but mine utilizes caramel candies instead. This means you’ll need plenty of hard or soft caramels to create this delightful millionaires’ shortbread recipe—trust me, unwrapping all those candies can be quite meditative! The rhythmic stirring of the caramel mixture is also oddly satisfying.

Alternatively, you can prepare the millionaire’s shortbread without condensed milk by making a homemade caramel cream. Depending on your technique, the texture can be either firm or soft.

How to Make Millionaire’s Shortbread

Let’s dive into creating your very own millionaire’s shortbread. Follow this recipe closely, and you will be successful! Start by lining a square baking pan (approximately 8×10 inches or 20×25 cm) with baking paper. Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Beat the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture turns fluffy. Stir in an egg, and then add flour, semolina, and salt to create a homogeneous dough.

Once your dough is ready, pour it into the baking pan, pressing it down evenly. Prick the surface a few times with a fork and bake for about 25 to 30 minutes until it reaches a golden brown color. Meanwhile, place the caramel candies, cream, butter, and water in a saucepan. Melt the mixture over low heat, stirring continuously. Allow this to simmer over medium heat for several minutes until the caramel thickens.

Spread the thickened caramel over the baked shortbread base and refrigerate for 1-2 hours. For the icing, melt together the chocolate and butter, then spread this luscious mixture on top of the caramel layer. Allow everything to set slightly. Finally, use a large, sharp knife to cut the bar into small squares and chill again for at least one hour before serving.

Top Tip

Cutting the finished shortbread can be a challenge due to its layers, but remember, imperfections are the new perfect! The delightful taste of your homemade chocolate caramel shortbread will make all the effort worth it.

Variations

When it comes to the caramel layer, you can use either hard candies like “Werthers Original” or softer caramel varieties; just keep in mind that you’ll need less liquid for softer caramels! If you’re feeling adventurous, try making a homemade caramel cream for your own unique twist. Enjoying this chocolate caramel shortbread is truly a heavenly experience—sweet, creamy, and crunchy all at once. To me, millionaire’s shortbread is a genuine comfort food, and I hope you experience the same joy when you prepare it!