Name: Millionaire Shortbread Bars Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 2 h 50 min
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature; ⅓ cup granulated sugar; 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour; ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt; 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk; 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon-sized pieces; ¼ cup light corn syrup or golden syrup; ½ cup packed light brown sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste; ½ teaspoon fine sea salt; 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped or chocolate chips; 1 teaspoon coconut oil or vegetable shortening; Flaky sea salt (optional, for topping)

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If you’re someone who loves that perfect trio of buttery crust, gooey caramel, and rich chocolate, then this Millionaire Shortbread Bars Recipe is going to be your new obsession. It’s one of those recipes I turn to when I want to impress friends or just treat myself to something indulgent that feels fancy but really comes together easily. The balance of textures and flavors is out of this world, and let me tell you, once you make these bars, they’ll be requested again and again.

What makes this Millionaire Shortbread Bars Recipe so special is the simplicity behind the layers. You get that crisp, buttery base that melts in your mouth, followed by a luscious, homemade caramel that’s not too sweet, and topped off with silky semisweet chocolate. It’s a showstopper dessert that’s surprisingly straightforward, perfect for sharing at potlucks, holiday gatherings, or just when you want to elevate your snack game.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this recipe plays a crucial role in balancing the sweet and buttery notes while giving you that iconic texture contrast. Nothing too fancy — just pantry staples that come together beautifully.

Unsalted butter: Using unsalted lets you control the saltiness perfectly for both the crust and caramel layers.
Granulated sugar: Essential for sweetening the buttery crust and achieving that golden snap.
All-purpose flour: The sturdy base needs a good quality flour to hold everything without crumbling.
Fine sea salt: A little salt balances the sweetness, especially in the caramel layer.
Sweetened condensed milk: The secret to an irresistibly smooth caramel that sets just right.
Light corn syrup or golden syrup: Helps keep the caramel silky and prevents crystallization.
Light brown sugar: Adds depth and that yummy toffee flavor to the caramel.
Vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste: A splash of vanilla elevates all the flavors.
Semisweet chocolate: The perfect richness for finishing the bars with just a touch of bitterness to cut through the sweetness.
Coconut oil or vegetable shortening: Helps the chocolate layer set smoothly and gives it that shiny finish.
Flaky sea salt (optional): I love sprinkling a pinch on top for that irresistible sweet-salty pop.

Variations

While I adore the classic Millionaire Shortbread Bars Recipe, sometimes I like to twirl things up a bit depending on the occasion or what I have on hand. Feel free to personalize these bars — the recipe is forgiving and invites creativity.

Nutty twist: Adding chopped toasted pecans or almonds into the caramel layer gives a delightful crunch. I tried this for a holiday party, and people loved the texture contrast!
Dairy-free version: Substitute coconut oil for butter in the crust and use dairy-free chocolate. The bars still come out rich and delicious.
Salted caramel bars: Increase the flaky sea salt topping to really highlight the caramel’s flavor — it’s addicting, trust me.
White chocolate layer: Swap the semisweet for white chocolate to get a sweeter, creamier top layer, perfect for those with a sweet tooth.

How to Make Millionaire Shortbread Bars Recipe

Step 1: Baking the Perfect Crust

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a 9×9-inch pan with parchment paper—this makes it so much easier to lift out the bars later. Cream the room temperature butter and granulated sugar until it’s smooth and fluffy; this ensures the crust is tender and crumbly but still holds together. Then, mix in the flour and salt until just combined. Press this dough evenly into the pan—don’t skip the gentle but firm press, as this creates that beautiful crisp base. Bake for about 18-20 minutes until it’s lightly golden. Pro tip: let the crust cool completely before adding the caramel to avoid melting the layers together.

Step 2: Crafting the Dreamy Caramel Layer

While your crust is cooling, grab a medium saucepan and combine the sweetened condensed milk, butter, corn syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt. Stir the mixture over medium heat, constantly whisking to prevent burning. I usually watch the clock closely—it takes about 10 minutes to thicken, but the key is patience here. You want the caramel to turn thick and glossy, almost like a soft fudge. Pour the caramel evenly over the cooled crust and gently spread it out. Let it sit for at least an hour so the caramel fully sets and won’t slide around under the chocolate later.

Step 3: Melting and Pouring the Chocolate Topping

Chop your semisweet chocolate or use good-quality chips and melt it gently with the coconut oil in a heatproof bowl set over simmering water, stirring until smooth. This method helps avoid overheating the chocolate, which can ruin the texture. Once melted, pour the chocolate over the caramel layer and smooth it out evenly with an offset spatula. If you love that sweet-salty combo, sprinkle flaky sea salt on top right away before the chocolate sets. Pop the whole pan into the fridge and chill for at least 2 hours until the chocolate is firm. Removing the bars from the pan by the parchment edges makes slicing a breeze.

How to Serve Millionaire Shortbread Bars Recipe

The image shows different baking ingredients arranged neatly on a white marbled surface. On the left, there is a rectangular white plate with four sticks of pale yellow butter stacked in a row. Below it, a small white dish holds cubes of the same butter. To the right of the butter, a large white bowl is filled with fine white flour. In the center, two small white bowls contain light brown sugar and thick white cream, placed near each other. Two dark brown vanilla beans lie diagonally beside the bowls. Below the cream, another small white bowl holds golden honey, while to its left, there is a white bowl filled with coarse white sugar. At the bottom right, a white bowl is full of broken dark chocolate pieces. The ingredients are cleanly organized with soft natural light, and no shadows other than soft ones are visible. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

My favorite garnish is definitely a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on the chocolate layer because it highlights the sweetness and adds that extra crunch. Sometimes I throw on a few crushed toffee bits or even a light dusting of cocoa powder when serving to guests—little touches that make these bars look as good as they taste.

Side Dishes

Personally, I like serving these bars with a simple cup of strong coffee or a creamy latte to balance the richness. They’re also wonderful alongside fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you’re feeling particularly decadent.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or special occasions, I’ve layered millionaire shortbread bars in a clear glass trifle dish with whipped cream and crushed nuts for a stylish dessert display. Cutting them into bite-sized squares and arranging on a decorative platter with edible flowers gives a lovely, fancy touch that guests always appreciate.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover bars in an airtight container in the fridge layered between parchment paper to keep them from sticking together. They stay fresh and maintain their texture beautifully for up to 5 days. Just remember to bring them to room temperature before serving if you want that melt-in-your-mouth softness.

Freezing

If you want to make these bars ahead of time, freezing works like a charm. I cut them into squares, freeze on a tray first to avoid sticking, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. They keep well for up to 3 months, and thaw in the fridge overnight before enjoying.

Reheating

While you don’t need to heat these bars, if you want to soften them slightly, I let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes or pop a piece in a warm (not hot) oven for a few minutes. Avoid microwaving too long or the chocolate can get grainy.

FAQs

Can I make Millionaire Shortbread Bars Recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free 1-to-1 baking flour blend. Just ensure it contains xanthan gum or another binder to keep the crust together. The texture might be slightly different but still delicious!
Why is my caramel too runny or not setting?

Caramel can be tricky if not cooked long enough or if the heat isn’t consistent. Make sure you cook the caramel on medium heat, stirring constantly until it thickens and darkens slightly. Also, let the bars chill thoroughly; sometimes caramel takes longer to set depending on humidity.
Can I use milk chocolate instead of semisweet chocolate?

You can, but keep in mind milk chocolate is sweeter and softer, which might affect how firm the top layer sets. Adjust chilling time accordingly and consider reducing the caramel sweetness slightly to balance flavors.
Do I need special equipment to make these bars?

Nope! Just basic kitchen tools: mixing bowls, a saucepan, a 9×9-inch pan, and parchment paper. A hand mixer helps for creaming the crust butter, but you can do it by hand if needed.
How long do Millionaire Shortbread Bars last?

Stored properly in the fridge, these bars stay fresh up to 5 days. For longer storage, freezing is best and keeps them tasty for a few months.

Final Thoughts

This Millionaire Shortbread Bars Recipe is one of those treats that brings back happy memories every time I make it — from family gatherings to casual coffee catch-ups. It’s straightforward but feels luxurious, and the layers complement each other perfectly. If you’re looking for a dessert that’s both impressive and totally doable, I can’t recommend these bars enough. Give them a try, and I’m pretty sure they’ll become your go-to “wow” dessert too.

Millionaire Shortbread Bars Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

Variations