Easy Millionaire Shortbread Recipe | Kitchen Mason (2024)

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(This post has been updated from the original April 2014 version to provide a better experience for you)

Millionaire shortbread is a British baking classic! With a shortbread biscuit base, sweet soft caramel and oodles of chocolate, this is a treat that everyone will love. My step by step pictures, video and helpful tips make this millionaire shortbread recipe super easy to follow!

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Whether it’s the original 3 layered classic recipe or one with a modern twist (my favourites are snickers millionaire shortbread, chocolate orange caramel shortbread, millionaire brownies and red velvet millionaire brownies!) you know these beauties are going to disappear much quicker than they were made.

It doesn’t matter if I’m at a cafe, a friend’s house or just fancy making something myself – millionaire shortbread is always my top choice. It’s a personal all time favourite!

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The sad stigma behind millionaire shortbread is that it can seem tricky to make if you’re not confident in the kitchen. I’m hoping this recipe will change all that!

But if still don’t feel overly confident, you might like to read through baking for beginners first. It’ll really boost your knowledge and confidence!

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What you need to know

My aim is to give you the confidence you need, using my easy step by step picture recipe approach, to master making this delightful treat. Please read through all my tips to ensure you have the best possible chance of succeeding first time. (Which I’m absolutely sure you will!)

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Does brand matter?

When it comes to which brand of condensed milk works best, in my experience, it really doesn’t matter. Whether it’s a big brand like Carnation or a supermarket own brand – I’ve found that all of them work equally as well in this recipe. As a result I tend to opt for the cheaper option to save a few pennies.

The one ingredient I will say to buy good quality is the chocolate. It’s quite a big part of the overall flavour so worth splashing out on a nice one as you will taste the difference.

Over the years I’ve also fallen in love with Nielsen Massey’s vanilla extract. It’s such good quality and you can really taste the flavour. Supermarket own brands don’t seem to compare!

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Millionaire shortbread ingredients

Here’s everything you need to know about the ingredients needed to make millionaire shortbread.

  • Butter – Always use unsalted butter in baking as it gives you control of the salt content/flavour. Ensure this is at room temperature for the biscuit layer.
  • Sugar – My favourite is golden caster sugar as it adds a slight caramel flavour. Regular caster sugar (superfine in the US) will work great too.
  • Flour – Plain (all purpose in the US) flour works best in this recipe, don’t substitute it for others varieties.
  • Salt – No need for fancy types here, regular table salt will work fine. We want flavour not texture.
  • Condensed Milk – In my experience, any brand will work. Make sure it’s the sweetened variety though.
  • Golden Syrup – Brand doesn’t matter but golden syrup gives the best flavour. (You can use light corn syrup or honey in the US.)
  • Vanilla – A good brand (like Nielsen Massey) works well here. Supermarket versions seem flavourless in comparison.
  • Chocolate – This is a prominent flavour so worth investing in one that you know you will love, rather than using a cheaper alternative.
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Millionaire shortbread: recipe summary

It may seem a little daunting at first but I assure you, it’s not as complicated as you think!

Biscuit base

  1. Cream together butter and sugar then add flour and salt to make a dough.
  2. Press into a lined tin, prick all over with a fork and bake. Cool completely.

Caramel

  1. Add all the caramel ingredients to a saucepan set over a low heat.
  2. Bring to the boil then simmer, stirring constantly, until it reaches 107°C.
  3. Take off the heat, stir for a minute or two then pour over the biscuit base.

Chocolate topping

  1. Melt the chocolate, either in a bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water or in the microwave.
  2. Smooth over the caramel. When set, cut into bars.
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Millionaire shortbread recipe tips

If I could offer any preemptive words of advice, it would be to take your time, read the recipe all the way through and prepare your ingredients (weigh, chop etc) before you start.

There’s nothing worse than getting to a critical part of a recipe, realising you have to weigh another ingredient then returning to the pan to find it’s already ruined.

  • Leave an overhang when you line your tin. This will make it much easier to remove later.
  • Don’t be tempted to increase the heat to speed up the cooking of the caramel. It will likely catch on the bottom and burn.
  • When making the caramel, stir constantly and right into the edges. If you don’t, you could get burnt bits running through.
  • Allow each layer to cool completely before moving onto the next step. This way you will get beautiful clean lines.
  • Make sure the caramel has cooled completely before topping or your chocolate could bloom.
  • Use room temperature butter for the biscuit dough. (Ingredients blend better when all at the same temperature.)
  • Treat yourself to a sugar thermometer. They’re cheap and worth the investment. It is possible to make caramel without one but it’s tricky.
  • Don’t know what to do with the remaining condensed milk? You could make another batch or check out the ‘other recipes you might like’ section above for more inspiration.
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Millionaire shortbread troubleshooting

  • My chocolate bloomed (has white streaks) – Your chocolate was exposed to dramatic temperature changes. This could be that you didn’t allow the biscuit/caramel to cool before topping, you heated the chocolate too much on a cold day or even that you chilled the caramel and poured warm chocolate on top.
  • The chocolate set too quickly and didn’t spread – This could happen if you chilled the caramel first. Allow it to set at room temperature to avoid it.
  • The caramel has burnt bits – Either your heat was too high and/or you weren’t stirring often and thoroughly enough. Make sure you stir vigorously and right into the edges. Worst case – you can sieve them out if you’re quick enough.
  • My caramel didn’t set – Your mixture didn’t reach 107°C (225ºF) and/or you used incorrect measurements of ingredients. Use weighing scales and a thermometer next time to take out the guess work and avoid disappointment.
  • The caramel was hard – Your caramel got hotter than 107°C (225ºF). Use a thermometer to ensure this doesn’t happen.
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Easy Millionaire Shortbread – Step by Step Picture Recipe

(For a printer friendly version, see the recipe card at the end of this post)

Ingredients

Here is what you will need to make12pieces.

Biscuit base

  • 125g (1/2 cup) Unsalted Butter, Room Temp
  • 50g (1/4 cup) Golden Caster Sugar
  • 175g (1 + 1/3 cup) Plain Flour
  • Pinch Salt

Caramel

  • 200g (2/3 cup) Condensed Milk
  • 125g (1/2 cup) Unsalted Butter
  • 125g (2/3 cup) Golden Caster Sugar
  • 2 tbsp Golden Syrup
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • Pinch Salt

Chocolate topping

  • 200g (7 oz) Good Quality Milk Chocolate

Essential equipment

  • 18 x 28cm (7 x 11″) Baking Tray
  • Electric Stand Mixer or Large Bowl With Electric Hand Whisk
  • Fork
  • Large Heavy Based Saucepan
  • Sugar Thermometer (optional but very handy)
  • Glass Bowl
  • Wooden Spoon

Biscuit base instructions

Lightly grease and line the base and sides of your baking tray and preheat your oven to 180°C/Fan 170°C/356°F.

First, either in a stand mixer or a large bowl using an electric hand whisk, cream together the butter (125g | 1/2 cup) and sugar (50g | 1/4 cup) until light and fluffy.

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Then sift in the flour (175g | 1 + 1/3 cup) and add the salt (pinch). Beat until you get a crumbly dough.

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Tip the dough straight out into the prepared tray and flatten out as evenly as you can. Prick the base all over with a fork (this will stop it rising too much) then pop it into the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 mins until just turning golden.

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Leave the biscuit to one side to cool completely while you make the caramel.

Caramel instructions

Add all the caramel ingredients into a large, heavy based saucepan and set over a low/medium heat.

(200g | 2/3 cup condensed milk, 125g | 1/2 cup unsalted butter, 125g | 2/3 cup golden caster sugar, 2 tbsp golden syrup, 1 tsp vanilla extract, pinch of salt.)

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Stir gently until all the ingredients have dissolved then bring the mixture to the boil.

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As soon as it’s boiling – you must stir often and vigorously. Don’t leave this unattended or you will get lumps of burnt caramel running through the mixture.

When it turns a light caramel colour and becomes thick, (or reaches 107°C on a sugar thermometer) remove from the heat and keep stirring briefly to stop it from catching on the bottom, as the pan will still be very hot.

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Then pour the thick mixture over the biscuit base, spread evenly and set aside to cool completely.

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Chocolate topping instructions

Break the milk chocolate (200g | 7 oz) into pieces and place in a glass bowl.

To melt using a hob, set the bowl over a pan of barely simmering water and stir until melted, smooth and shiny. If you want to temper the chocolate, only melt three quarters of the chocolate then remove the bowl from the heat, add the remaining chocolate and stir until melted.

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To temper chocolate in a microwave heat in 10 second intervals, stirring well between each time, until it’s two thirds melted. Once it’s reached this stage, stir the rest of the way until it’s completely melted. The trick is to not get the chocolate too hot.

Pour your melted chocolate over the caramel layer and smooth out evenly using the back of a wooden spoon.

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Allow your millionaire shortbread to set completely at room temperature. If you have tempered your chocolate then place it in the fridge, you will lose that lovely shine you worked so hard to get.

Once set, slice into 12 bars and store in an airtight container at room temperature. Consume within 5 days. (As if it’s going to last that long!)

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And that’s how you make the greatest sweet treat in the history of the world! When you get it right (as you obviously will have done using my easy to follow recipe!) millionaire shortbread is truly exquisite. Definitely a treat you will be proud to share with family and friends! Or maybe just ‘taste test‘ the whole batch… you know, just in case!

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Other recipes you might like…

  • Snickers millionaire shortbread
  • Red velvet millionaire brownies
  • Shortbread cookies
  • Millionaire brownie bars
  • No bake caramel chocolate tart
  • Chocolate orange caramel shortbread
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Have you made this recipe?

Have you made this millionaire shortbread? I’d love to know if you have! Send me your pics, comments and questions on Facebook, Twitter and Instagramor email me at emma@kitchenmason.com.

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Millionaire Shortbread Recipe - Printable Recipe

Yield: 12

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Buttery shortbread, soft caramel and smooth chocolate... millionaire shortbread is a delicious British classic that everyone will love!

Ingredients

Biscuit Base

  • 125g (1/2 cup) Unsalted Butter, Room Temp
  • 50g (1/4 cup) Golden Caster Sugar
  • 175g (1 + 1/3 cup) Plain Flour
  • Pinch Salt

Caramel

  • 200g (2/3 cup) Condensed Milk
  • 125g (1/2 cup) Unsalted Butter
  • 125g (2/3 cup) Golden Caster Sugar
  • 2 tbsp Golden Syrup
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • Pinch Salt

Topping

  • 200g (7 oz) Good Quality Milk Chocolate

Equipment

  • 18 x 28cm (7 x 11″) Baking Tray
  • Electric Stand Mixer or Large Bowl With Electric Hand Whisk
  • Fork
  • Large Heavy Based Saucepan
  • Sugar Thermometer (optional but very handy)
  • Glass Bowl
  • Wooden Spoon

Instructions

To make the biscuit base

  1. Grease and line the baking tin then preheat your oven to 180°C/Fan 170°C/356°F. Beat together the butter and sugar in a stand mixer (or large bowl with an electric hand whisk) until light and fluffy.
  1. Sift in the flour and add the salt. Mix until a dough forms.
  2. Press the dough evenly into the prepared tin then prick all over with a fork.
  3. Bake in the oven for 15-20 mins until just golden on top.Cool completely.

To make the caramel

  1. Put all the ingredients into a large saucepan and set over a low/medium heat.
  2. Stir until everything has dissolved thenbring to the boil. STIR OFTEN AND VIGOROUSLY. Onceboiling, stir continuously so it doesn't catch and burn on the bottom/in the edges of the pan.
  3. When it becomes thick and is a light caramel colour (or hits 107°C/225ºF on a thermometer), take off the heat and keep stirring for a minute or two.
  4. Pour the caramel over the biscuit base, spread evenly and leave to cool completely.

To make the chocolate topping

  1. Break the chocolate into a glass bowl. To melt on the hob, set the bowl over a pan of barely simmering water and stir until melted. To melt in the microwave, heat in 10 second intervals stirring well each time until two thirds melted. Then stir well until completely melted.
  2. Pour the melted chocolate over the caramel and smooth out using the back of a wooden spoon. Allow to set at room temperature then cut into 12 slices.

Notes

Store in an airtight container at room temperature and consume within 5 days.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield: 12Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 411Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 54mgSodium: 61mgCarbohydrates: 47gFiber: 1gSugar: 34gProtein: 4g

Nutritional information on kitchenmason.com should only be used as a general guideline, I am not a certified nutritionist. Please always check labels for allergens where applicable.

Did you make this recipe?

I'd love to hear about it! Please leave a comment on the blog or tag me on Instagram.

Easy Millionaire Shortbread Recipe | Kitchen Mason (2024)

FAQs

What is a substitute for golden syrup in millionaire shortbread? ›

The best substitution for golden syrup is a light corn syrup, also called maize syrup. It's a refined sugar syrup made from corn starch and usually flavoured with vanilla too. This is usually a bit thinner than golden syrup but should add the same sweetness, with only a slightly different flavour and lighter colour.

How to thicken caramel for millionaires shortbread? ›

Place the caramel (or dulce de leche or sweetened condensed milk) into a medium pot with the butter, sugar and salt. Heat on medium, stirring often, until the butter has melted. Turn the heat to low and continue to cook, stirring often, for 7-10 minutes until the caramel has thickened and darkened.

How to stop chocolate cracking when cutting millionaire shortbread? ›

**If you struggle to cut your shortbread and tray bakes without the chocolate cracking on top, set it at room temperature rather than in the fridge and it'll be softer so therefore won't crack when you cut it!

Can I use Carnation caramel instead of condensed milk? ›

We don't recommend this as bursting may occur – and besides we've done all the hard work for you with Carnation Caramel – look out for it next to the Condensed Milk in the store. Simply open the can and use the caramel as directed in the recipe.

What is the American equivalent of golden syrup? ›

In America, one of the most commonly perceived equivalents of golden syrup is corn syrup, but that's mostly because corn syrup is as readily available in American pantries as golden syrup is in British ones.

Is honey better than golden syrup? ›

Honey contains antioxidants, vitamins, antimicrobials, and minerals. Golden syrup contains some micronutrients but at very low levels. Honey is a natural product with minimal processing. Golden syrup is a by-product of sugar processing.

What's the difference between millionaire and billionaire shortbread? ›

While Millionaire's shortbread has a soft caramel filling, Billionaire's shortbread has salted caramel sauce in the center.

Is condensed milk the same as evaporated milk? ›

Both are concentrated, shelf-stable milk products that have been heated until at least 60 percent of their water content has evaporated. The main difference between evaporated milk and condensed milk is that evaporated milk is unsweetened while condensed milk is sweetened.

Can you use Carnation caramel straight from the tin? ›

CARNATION Caramel is a no-fuss filling for banoffee pie; ready-made, authentic Dulce de Leche caramel that you can spoon straight from the tin. CARNATION Caramel is made with no added colours and contains no artificial flavours or preservatives.

What are common mistakes when making shortbread? ›

The most common mistakes when making shortbread are over-working the dough, and incorporating too much flour. The less you work the dough, the more crumbly and melt-in-your-mouth your shortbread cookies will be.

What is the trick to shortbread? ›

For great shortbread, regardless of your chosen recipe:
  1. Sift the flour before mixing to help remove lumps.
  2. Avoid over-mixing the dough.
  3. Score the surface for even baking without bubbles or cracks.
  4. Chill the shaped dough thoroughly before baking.
  5. Cut the shortbread while it is still warm, for smooth, even slices.

What not to do when making shortbread? ›

Avoid making your shortbread too thick

This is much thicker than a roll-and-slice sugar cookie — or really any other popular type of cookie. If you keep your dough any thicker, you risk the dough coming out of the oven raw. If it's any thinner, the cookie will have a crispy texture with the snap of a graham cracker.

Can I freeze Millionaire shortbread? ›

This recipe can be frozen, but please remember to do the following; Make sure that you freeze it as soon as it is cold enough. Choose a container or a bag that is suitable for freezing. Place a sheet of non-stick baking paper between each square of Millionaire's Shortbread to make them easier to defrost.

How to cut millionaires shortbread without it cracking? ›

Slice using a hot, sharp knife.

Run a sharp, large knife until hot water for a minute or so. Then dry with a cloth and slice through the Millionaire's Shortbread. The heat with soften the layers and prevent the chocolate on top from cracking.

What happens when you use evaporated milk instead of condensed? ›

Condensed milk is very thick and sweet, so if you just use a can of evaporated milk in its place your recipe will not taste the same. The best substitute for condensed milk is heavy cream plus some sugar, depending on how much condensed milk your recipe calls for.

What can I use if I don't have golden syrup? ›

The Best Golden Syrup Substitutes
  • Maple Syrup. If you prefer not to use refined sugars, maple syrup will work with a 1:1 substitution. ...
  • Honey. As with maple syrup, honey will work as a 1:1 substitute for golden syrup. ...
  • Dark or Light Corn Syrup. ...
  • Brown Sugar + Water. ...
  • White Sugar + Water. ...
  • Coconut Sugar + Water. ...
  • Treacle.

Can I use maple syrup instead of golden syrup? ›

Yes, maple syrup can be used instead of golden syrup in many recipes, however this will result in a slightly different flavour. Golden syrup and maple syrup are generally substituted in a 1:1 ratio, however you may choose to use slightly less maple syrup to maintain texture and consistency.

What sugar is equivalent to golden syrup? ›

The free fructose content gives the syrup a taste sweeter than that of an equivalent solution of white sugar; when substituting golden syrup for white sugar, about 25% less golden syrup is needed for the same level of sweetness.

Can I swap golden syrup for honey? ›

It can be used wherever honey is used, providing a lesser flavour spectrum but saving rather a lot of cost; this would include on porridge, pancakes and waffles, in flapjacks, ginger cakes and similar. To really showcase this ingredient, try making our golden syrup dumplings.

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