Millionaire’s Shortbread ⋆ 100 Days of Real Food

This Millionaire’s Shortbread is a celebration of texture and taste, featuring a crumbly shortbread crust, a rich and gooey caramel layer, and a decadent chocolate topping! They are perfect for indulging your sweet tooth or wowing guests with a dessert that is made with wholesome ingredients. These treats are great for any occasion!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• This Millionaire’s shortbread features three delicious layers!
• This recipe only calls for a handful of everyday ingredients, making it a great choice for beginner bakers.
• The combination of shortbread, gooey caramel, and smooth chocolate creates a truly luxurious dessert experience.
• There are endless possibilities for flavor variations and add-ins, so you can tailor the recipe to your own preferences.
• Millionaire bars are great for potlucks, bake sales, or simply sharing with friends and family.
• This recipe is suitable for many diets, lifestyles, and food allergies.
• These bars are grain-free, gluten-free, Paleo, dairy-free, vegan, egg-free, and contain no refined sugar.
• Check out these Grain Free Brownies for another decadent, wholesome treat!

Ingredients & Substitutes

These are the main ingredients and substitutions for this millionaire’s shortbread. Scroll down to the recipe card for the entire recipe.

First, use almond flour for the shortbread crust. This gives it a yummy nutty taste. Almond flour also keeps it moist and not dry.

Next, melt coconut oil for a bit of sweetness. If you don’t have coconut oil, regular butter or vegan butter works too.

Add pure maple syrup for sweetness. If you’re not strict about being vegan, you can use honey instead.

Put in some vanilla extract for a cozy homemade flavor.

For the caramel layer, use all-natural creamy peanut butter. Make sure it only has peanuts and salt. Add more pure maple syrup to make it extra sweet.

Also, mix in coconut oil and vanilla for the peanut butter caramel layer.

For the chocolate on top, use dark chocolate chips and coconut oil. Melt them until they’re creamy. Be careful not to burn them.

Finally, sprinkle some flaky sea salt on top for a finishing touch!

Taste & Texture

Millionaire’s shortbread is a delicious combination of textures and flavors.

The shortbread crust is crumbly, the caramel filling is rich and gooey, and the chocolate topping is smooth and decadent.

The sweetness of the caramel is perfectly balanced by the saltiness of the shortbread crust and the richness of the chocolate.

How to Make

Step 1

First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.  Line an 8 inch by 8 inch square pan with parchment paper.

Step 2

Combine the shortbread base ingredients in a mixing bowl. Stir together.

Step 3

Press this mixture into one even layer in the prepared pan.  Bake for 10 minutes.

Step 4

While the crust is baking, make the caramel sauce. Combine the caramel ingredients in a saucepan over low medium heat. Stir consistently, up to 5 minutes, or until sauce has thickened slightly.

Step 5

Remove the shortbread crust from the oven.  Pour the caramel sauce on top.

Step 6

Place in the freezer for 30 minutes.

Step 7

After 30 minutes, remove the pan from the freezer. Make the chocolate topping. Melt the dark chocolate chips and coconut oil in 30 second increments in the microwave until melted.

Step 8

Pour the melted chocolate mixture on top.  Place the pan back in the freezer for one hour, or until the chocolate topping has solidified.

Step 9

Finally, when ready to serve this millionaire’s shortbread, remove from the oven, sprinkle with sea salt, and slice.

Expert Tips for Success

Here are some expert tips and tricks for making millionaire’s shortbread.

Use the ingredients as listed below. This recipe has been tested multiple times using almond flour, not another flour.

The crust should be golden brown around the edges but still soft in the center.

Let the caramel cool completely before adding the chocolate: If the caramel is too hot, it will melt the chocolate and make the bars look messy.

Try sprinkling your millionaire bars with sea salt, chopped nuts, or dried fruit for an extra flavor boost.

Flavor Variations & Add-Ins

There are endless possibilities for flavor variations and add-ins when it comes to millionaire’s shortbread. Here are a few ideas:

Chocolate: Use dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate for the topping. You could even drizzle a variety of chocolates over the top.

Nuts: Add chopped nuts, such as pecans, peanuts, or almonds, to the shortbread crust or caramel filling.

Fruits: Swirl some fruit puree into the caramel filling, such as raspberry, strawberry, or banana.

Spices: Add a pinch of spice to the shortbread crust, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger.

How to Serve & Store

Millionaire’s shortbread can be served at room temperature or chilled.

They are best enjoyed within a few days of baking but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Equipment Needed

Pre-Cut Parchment Paper Sheets: Parchment paper is helpful to prevent sticking.

Pyrex 3 Glass Mixing Bowls: I use these mixing bowls every time I make these vegan millionaire bars.

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