What’s better than homemade shortbread? The million-dollar version of shortbread: millionaire bars. They’re topped with scratch-made caramel, chocolate ganache and flaky sea salt.
Why Are They Called Millionaire Bars?
While the name is up for debate, there are a few theories about why these bars are called millionaire shortbread or millionaire bars.
The best guess is that the rich flavor of these bars begs for them to have a similarly rich name. That’s where the term millionaire comes in.
Another thought is that the ingredients needed to make these multilayered cookies can cost a pretty penny—especially if you’re buying the best butter, best chocolate and top-of-the-line flaky salt like Maldon.
How to Make Millionaire Shortbread Bars
Before you start these bars, have parchment paper and a candy thermometer on hand. Plan to allow enough time to let the cookie dough chill before baking, and for all of the ingredients to set before you cut the bars.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 large egg yolk
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Filling:
- 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, cubed
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Topping:
- 1-1/2 cups 60% cacao bittersweet chocolate baking chips
- 2/3 cup heavy whipping cream
- Flaked sea salt, optional
Tools
- 13×9-inch pan: This recipe makes a big batch of bars. Make sure you have a 13×9-inch pan on hand.
- Candy thermometer: Making the caramel for this recipe requires precise temperature monitoring. Use a candy thermometer or an instant-read thermometer.
- Flaky sea salt: Part of the appeal of these bars is the sweet-and-salty combo. Maldon makes large, thin flakes of salt that look beautiful and melt in your mouth.
Directions
Step 1: Cream the butter and sugar
In a large bowl, cream butter, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy, 5 to 7 minutes. Yep, it does take that long to properly blend these ingredients. Then beat in the egg yolk.
Step 2: Combine wet and dry ingredients
In another bowl, whisk flour and salt. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Don’t overmix the dough, as you want the shortbread to be super tender.
Step 3: Press the shortbread into the pan
Line a 13×9-inch pan with parchment paper. Be sure to use enough parchment so the paper extends up and over the edge of the pan.
Then spread the dough into the pan. You can use a measuring cup to help flatten the cookie dough into an even layer. Know that the dough will be sticky. Once you’re done, chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Step 4: Bake the shortbread
Bake at 350ºF until edges are lightly browned and center is dry, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.
Step 5: Make the caramel
Meanwhile, in a large heavy saucepan, combine all the caramel filling ingredients. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Reduce heat to maintain a low boil; cook and stir until the mixture is amber-colored and reaches 225°F. This is where that candy thermometer comes in handy! Be patient—this will take 20-25 minutes.
Remove the caramel from the heat, and quickly pour over the cooled crust. Let cool for 15 minutes and refrigerate until chilled, about an hour.
Let cool for 15 minutes and refrigerate until chilled, about an hour.
Step 5: Make ganache and top
Place chocolate in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. Pour over chocolate and let stand 5 minutes. Stir with a whisk until smooth. Pour over the caramel layer. If desired, sprinkle with sea salt. Refrigerate until set, at least 2 hours.
When you’re ready to serve, remove the bars from the pan by lifting with the parchment. Cut into bars. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Tips for Making Millionaire Bars
Can you freeze millionaire bars?
Yes, millionaire bars freeze well. Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap, and then wrap stacks of bars in foil. You can also seal in airtight containers. Thaw the bars before eating.
Why should you chill shortbread before baking?
Chilling shortbread dough before baking firms up the butter, which helps keep the dough from spreading when you put them in the oven.
How can you personalize millionaire bars?
There are lots of ways to make millionaire bars your own. For starters, you can change up the cookie base layer by adding more flavor to your shortbread dough. Try grating in lemon or orange zest, mixing in a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg, or even adding a different extract like almond or orange. You can also consider adding crushed nuts into the mix—about a half cup is ideal.
If you’re interested in modifying the caramel, add a couple of tablespoons of your favorite liquor, like rum or whiskey, immediately after removing the caramel from the heat. Scotch would be particularly appropriate since shortbread is originally Scottish! Prefer coffee? You could mix a little espresso powder in with the caramel ingredients.
Finally, there’s the ganache. That can also be flavored by steeping ingredients in the hot cream prior to adding it to the chocolate.
Want more of this rich flavor profile? Test our recipe for Millionaire Candy!
Scottish Shortbread
My mother, who is of Scottish heritage, passed this shortbread recipe, along with other favorite recipes, on to me. When I entered this treat at our local fair, it won a red ribbon. —Rose Mabee, Selkirk, Manitoba
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I received this recipe from my cousin who tried to duplicate cookies she loved from a restaurant. It was in a cookbook she made for the family for Christmas! —Lorie Miner, Kamas, Utah Discover the secret to the best shortbread (no extra tools or ingredients required!).
Grandma’s Scottish Shortbread
My Scottish grandmother was renowned for her baking, and one of the highlights whenever we visited my grandparents was her bringing out the baking tin. Her shortbread cookies were my favorite, and now, whenever I make them, I remember her. This is not a thin, crispy dessert shortbread; it’s a deep bar that is best served with a cup of tea. —Jane Kelly, Wayland, Massachusetts
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We love hazelnut flavor and cookies that aren’t too sweet, so this recipe is perfect for us! If you like your cookies on the sweeter side, bake up these crisp beauties and slather some Nutella between two to create an extra-special sandwich cookie. —Karla Johnson, East Helena, Montana
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I live in Missouri, but many family recipes come from New Zealand where I was born. My parents moved there when I was a year old, so I have a "Down Under" heritage. This easy shortbread recipe brings back warm memories of my childhood, and I'm going to make sure they're passed on to the next generation in my family…no matter where they live! —Allen Swenson, Camdenton, Missouri
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This recipe has been in my files for a long time...probably from when I first learned to bake. Any chocolate lover will like these melt-in-your-mouth cookies. I make them year-round with variations. They're even richer with a thin coat of icing or as a sandwich cookie with frosting in the middle. —Sarah Bueckert, Austin, Manitoba
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I layer a creamy, coffee-flavored filling between buttery shortbread, then dip the sandwiches in chocolate. Guests always love them.—Bertha Seyer, Oak Ridge, Missouri
Pistachio Shortbread Sandwiches
We tasted these melt-in-your-mouth morsels at a Christmas party several years ago. We tweaked the recipe to include pistachios. The cookies disappear so quickly at parties, you just might have to watch the plate—and check the kids' pockets! —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario
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These flaky cookies melt in your mouth. Dipped in chocolate, they look festive.—Barbara Birk, St. George, Utah
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With only a few ingredients, these butter shortbread cookies are so simple to prepare. —Pattie Prescott, Manchester, New Hampshire
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These whipped shortbread Christmas cookies melt in your mouth. Mostly I make them for the holidays, but I'll also prepare them year-round for wedding showers and afternoon teas. —Jane Ficiur, Bow Island, Alberta
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Fresh juice and zest pair up to give my buttery cookies a lemony pop. Sprinkle sugar on top for extra sparkle. —Marcia Whitney, Gainesville, Florida
Double-Dipped Shortbread Cookies
My mom and her friend did a lot of cookie swaps together. They were always finding new recipes to share, including this one. There's something about a dipped cookie that makes it seem so special, so we usually save these for the holidays. —Ginger King, Big Bear Lake, California
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Lemon and rosemary make these luscious treats a sweet surprise for a few friends. —Malorie Harris, Wildomar, California
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I’ve always loved the taste of chai tea, so I decided to try to incorporate it into one of my recipes. Everyone who samples my shortbread can’t believe how delicious it is. —Paula Marchesi, Lenhartsville, PennsylvaniaThe post How to Make Millionaire Bars appeared first on Taste of Home.
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