Millionaire’s shortbread, or caramel shortbread, is a classic Scottish treat. Buttery shortbread is covered with caramel and topped with a glorious chocolate. Make this authentic recipe and you’ll never look back!

Originally published January 23, 2014

If you have a sweet tooth, or know someone who does, then this authentic millionaire’s shortbread recipe is sure to be a recipe you’ll want to try.

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I’ve seen lots of recipes for what is supposed to be authentic millionaire’s shortbread, but they simply don’t make the cut. In fact, one of the top recipes from a google search brings up a recipe which is called “millionaire’s shortbread”.

What is Millionaire’s Shortbread?

Millionaire’s shortbread is a rich shortbread topped with caramel and chocolate. While proper millionaire’s shortbread should have only shortbread, caramel and chocolate, some other recipes think that more is more. I’m here to tell you that as a Scot–it is not. The other name it goes by in Scotland is caramel shortcake.

Authentic Scottish shortbread is made with only 3 ingredients.

However, the shortbread shouldn’t have 7 ingredients in it. The caramel shouldn’t have corn syrup in it, and the chocolate topping isn’t just chocolate, but a ganache and it’s topped with salt. JUST NO. I’m not saying the recipe is bad, I’m saying it’s not millionaire’s shortbread which is a Scottish recipe.

This is a simpler, more “well-adjusted” shortbread recipe, because the shortbread is, well–actually shortbread. Why call something a peanut butter and jelly sandwich when there’s no peanut butter in it? It makes no sense.

Speaking of peanut butter, try these peanut butter cookies next!

This recipe is the Scottish standard, and given to me by Melanie Andrews, a Scottish baker, and tea room owner for over 25 years in Helensburgh, Scotland. How much better can you get?

Another classic tea room recipe: Scottish red lentil soup.

It’s my duty as a Scot to let you know things like this about mangled Scottish recipes, the same as I do when I find ridiculous recipes pretending to be “Italian”.

Another classic shortbread shape: petticoat tails.

These millionaire’s shortbread bars are great in lunch boxes, for bake sales, cookie exchanges, holiday gifts and so much more. They keep well for more than a week if they’re kept in an airtight tin. Below is a photo of whisky and caramel shortcake in my room at Northland’s Pitlochry, Scotland.

Authentic Millionaire’s Shortbread
or Caramel Shortbread
(aka Caramel Shortcake)

Slightly adapted from Craigard Tearoom recipe Makes 20 pieces

Full printable recipes below

Ingredients

For shortbread base

butter
sugar
flour

For caramel and chocolate layers

butter
sugar
Lyle’s Golden Syrup
condensed milk
chocolate

Make the Millionaire’s Shortbread Base

Press the shortbread dough right into the tray. and bake. Allow to cool.

Make the Caramel

Use a candy thermometer for best results.

Spread the Caramel on the Shortbread Base

Once the shortbread is cool, spread the caramel on top and allow to cool again. Patience is a virtue.

Top Millionaire’s Shortbread with Good Quality Melted Chocolate

Please don’t go to all the trouble to make this delectable treat and use subpar chocolate! Good quality chocolate is key. Callebaut is just an example, but there are many less expensive chocolate brands that are still very good (Trader Joe’s).

When Cool, Cut Millionaire’s Shortbread into Bars

Enjoy the this crunchy, chewy, chocolatey treat. I think this is how Twix was invented, to be honest!

You know this isn’t the last time you’re going to make these millionaire shortbread bars, right?

Love caramel? Here’s another decadent recipe for you to try: Guinness stout dark chocolate pudding cakes with salted caramel sauce. Or sticky toffee pudding, which has a gorgeous caramel topping.

Millionaire's Shortbread, aka Caramel Shortcake