Millionaire’s shortbread (Caramel shortbread)

Name: Millionaire's shortbread
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: For the shortbread base; 100 g butter (softened); 50 g caster sugar; 150 g plain flour; 397 g condensed milk; 100 g butter; 100 g light muscovado sugar; 200 g chocolate (dark or milk)

A tasty recipe for millionaire’s shortbread (caramel shortbread). Take a simple shortbread base, add some caramel and top it off with chocolate. What could be easier, or more delicious?

This a delicious recipe for millionaire’s shortbread feels like a real treat but it’s easier than you think to make. There are a few steps, but none of them difficult. Once you’ve made the easy shortbread with just 3 ingredients, you simply need to add the caramel and chocolate.

Why is it called millionaire’s shortbread?

Also known as caramel slice, rich man’s shortbread, caramel squares or caramel shortbread, it’s known as millionaire’s shortbread in Scotland and it’s thought it gets it’s name just because it’s so rich and decadent.

Should you keep millionaire’s shortbread in the fridge?

The caramel will set better and quicker if you put it in the fridge. Once you’ve added the chocolate you’ll need to cut it which is easier if it’s not too firm from the fridge so best leave it out. After that it’s your preference. You can leave it in the fridge for a much more solid caramel or simply leave it in a air tight container somewhere cool.

How do you cut millionaire’s shortbread without it cracking?

The chocolate is much more likely to crack if it’s too hard when you try to cut it so make sure it’s not been in the fridge beforehand. We also find it helps if you use a sharp knife to score where you want to cut before you cut it.

How can kids help make millionaire’s shortbread?

There are a few different stages to the recipe which can be a good thing when you’re cooking with kids as it gives you the chance to have a break or clean up a bit as you go along. There are also some fun bits for your kids to help with, from measuring and mixing to melting (and sampling) chocolate!

If you’ve got younger children they might need to just watch you make the caramel – the melted sugar can get quite hot so it’s not safe for very little ones. Older children can help stir it all together.

Other delicious traybakes

If you liked this millionaires shortbread you’ll love some of our other easy traybake recipes:

Biscoff millionaires shortbread
Chocolate traybake
Flapjacks
Lemon traybake
Fruity honey flapjacks
White chocolate millionaires shortbread
Shortbread fingers
Biscoff blondies

Useful equipment

You might need the following baking tools/gadgets to make this millionaire’s shortbread

Digital scales
Mixing bowl
Measuring cups
8 inch baking tin
Wire rack
Cake storage tins

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.. You will not be charged anything extra for this. Please refer to my Privacy Policy Page for more details.

Difficulty: Easy

Time: 30 minutes + 2 hours setting

Serves: 20 slices

Ingredients

For the shortbread base
100g (1/2 cup) butter, softened
50g (1/4 cup) caster sugar
150g (1 1/4 cup) plain/all purpose flour

For the caramel
397g tin of condensed milk
100g (1/2 cup) butter
100g (1/2 cup) light muscovado sugar

For the chocolate topping
200g chocolate (dark or milk)

how to make millionaires shortbread

Preheat your oven to 160C/140C Fan / 320F and grease and line an 20cm or 8 inch square baking tray with baking paper or greaseproof.

Make the shortbread

Get your kids to measure the butter, sugar and flour and put them in a large mixing bowl. Chop the butter into small pieces before you add it to the bowl, to make it easier to mix. If the butter isn’t soft, blast it in the microwave for 5-10 seconds or so to soften it, but not long enough to melt it.

Using your fingers, rub it together until it starts to look like bread crumbs.

Once the butter looks like it has all ‘rubbed in’ start bringing it all together with your hands until you have a more solid dough. You’ll have to squeeze it and knead it a bit so it forms more of a ball.

Press it down into your prepared baking tin, really pushing down into the corners. Get your kids to gently prick the top with a fork.

Bake for 10-15 minutes or until it is just turning golden brown at the edges. Leave to cool in the tin.

Make the caramel

While your shortbread is baking, start making the caramel. Get your little one to help you add all the ingredients to a small saucepan. Heat it on a medium heat, stirring it gently until it turns a nice golden brown colour (it’ll take 5 minutes or so). This is a job for older children and be sure to watch your child carefully if you’re letting them help with this step.

Pour the caramel over the shortbread

Once the caramel is ready and the shortbread cooled, pour it over your base and spread it out so it is nice and even. Leave it to cool for at least an hour (or overnight). You can pop it in the fridge to speed up the setting.

Add the chocolate topping to your millionaire’s shortbread

Get your child to help you break the chocolate into a heat proof bowl. Put it over a simmering pan of water to melt it, stirring it all the time. Alternatively you could melt it in short bursts in the microwave – stir it in between bursts and be sure not to burn it.

Pour it over your cooled caramel and spread it out gently. Leave it to set for another hour or so but don’t put it in the fridge or if you do, make sure you take it out at least 30 minutes before you want to cut it so the chocolate isn’t too hard.

Use a sharp knife to score where you want to cut, then cut it into squares.

Serve and enjoy!