Millionaire's Shortbread
User Reviews
4.9
Millionaire's Shortbread
Description
This layered confection begins with a shortbread crust made from creamed butter, sugar, egg yolk, vanilla, salt, and all-purpose flour, pressed evenly into a baking pan and baked until lightly golden. The shortbread provides a firm, crumbly foundation for the caramel and chocolate layers.
The caramel is prepared by combining sweetened condensed milk, butter, light brown sugar, corn syrup, salt, and vanilla extract, cooked into a thick, silky sauce that sets atop the cooled shortbread. This caramel is both rich and sweet with a smooth texture.
Finishing with a ganache layer made from semisweet chocolate chips and heavy cream creates a glossy, creamy top, which is then sprinkled with sea salt flakes to contrast the sweetness. The layered bars are chilled to firm up before slicing, creating a decadent treat appropriate for dessert or special occasions.
Ingredients
Shortbread Crust
- 1 cup butter unsalted, softened
- ⅓ cup sugar
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 large egg yolk
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
Caramel
- 2 oz cans sweetened condensed milk
- 14 Tablespoons butter cut into Tablespoon-sized pieces, unsalted
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed
- ⅓ cup light corn syrup
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Ganache
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup heavy cream
- sea salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F (177C) and line a 13x9 baking pan with parchment paper.
- Using an electric mixer, beat butter until well creamed.
- Add sugars and beat until light and fluffy, about 30 seconds.
- Add egg yolk and vanilla extract and stir well, pausing to scrape down the sides and mixing until ingredients are well-combined.
- Add flour, gradually (about ½ cup at a time), pausing to scrape down sides of bowl. Halfway through the addition of the flour, sprinkle in the salt with the beater still running. Don't over-beat the dough, you want it to be slightly crumbly to make it easier to press into the pan.
- Drop dough over prepared pan and gently, firmly, evenly, press dough into the bottom of the pan. To make it easier, I usually lay a piece of wax paper over the dough and use the palm of my hand to smooth the surface (and then discard wax paper).
- Bake on 350F (177C) for 20-25 minutes -- edges should be lightly golden brown.
- Allow to cool while you prepare your caramel topping.
Caramel
- Combine condensed milk, butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir frequently until butter is melted and ingredients are well-combined. Continue to stir constantly until mixture begins to boil (this could take several minutes, but you don't need to increase the heat).
- Once mixture comes to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer (slowly bubbling), still stirring constantly. Continue to stir 10-15 minutes until mixture turns a rich caramel color and has thickened (should begin pulling away from the sides of the pot as you stir). If using a candy thermometer, the caramel should reach 225F (107C)
- Remove from heat and immediately stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour evenly over prepared shortbread, use a knife to spread evenly if needed.
- Allow to cool at room temperature for several hours or in the refrigerator for 1 hour before topping with chocolate.
Chocolate Topping
- Combine chocolate chips and heavy cream in a small saucepan over low heat.
- Stir frequently until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth.
- Remove from heat and allow chocolate to cool just slightly for about 5 minutes, and then evenly spread over prepared caramel layer. Wait several minutes/until chocolate begins to set and then sprinkle with sea salt.
- Allow chocolate to harden (I recommend placing in refrigerator for about 30 minutes -- my family prefers these treats refrigerated anyway) before cutting and serving.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 28pieces
Amount Per Serving
Calories 298 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1piece | |
| Calories | 298kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 30g | 10% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 19g | 29% |
| Saturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 46mg | 15% |
| Sodium | 122mg | 5% |
| Potassium | 106mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 21g | 42% |
| Vitamin A | 455IU | 9% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 26mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.