Millionaire’s Shortbread is also known as caramel shortbread, caramel shortcake, caramel squares, caramel slice, or millionaire’s slice. It is a confection made with layers of a high-fat, unleavened sweetbread, caramelized condensed milk, and dark chocolate. It gets its texture from large amounts of butter. The heated condensed milk gives it a creamy caramel filling, and quality baking chocolate is essential for a soft, rich topping. The treat is prepared in stages, with the bread being baked first, followed by the caramel and then the chocolate. Shortbread evolved from earliest recipes in Elizabethan-era Scotland to its decadent toppings being added in the 19th century.
Scottish Millionaire’s Shortcake
Ingredients
- 1 RECIPE Homemade shortbread recipe, fully cooled & uncut
- 14 oz Can of sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup Unsalted butter
- ¼ cup Brown sugar
- 2 tbsp Golden syrup (not corn syrup)
- 1 pinch Salt
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 8 oz High quality dark chocolate
Instructions
- Make shortbread recipe without knife lines. Let cool in pan.
- Make Caramel – In a medium saucepan over medium heat, cook condensed milk, butter, golden syrup, brown sugar, and salt. Once everything is melted, cook another 5-6 minutes, stirring constantly, until it has thickened and turned golden. When an instant read thermometer reads 225°F (125°C), remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Pour caramel over shortbread and smooth it out with the back of a spoon. Let it cool completely.
- Heat the chocolate in the microwave until completely melted. Scrape all of melted chocolate over hardened caramel and smooth it evenly. Put the cookie pan in the refrigerator for a while to cool. Remove from refrigerator and allow to warm to room temperature. Slice into squares and serve at room temperature.