Millionaire’s Shortbread or Caramel Shortbread (Authentic Scottish Recipe)
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.
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. This recipe comes from 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”.
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.
Authentic Millionaire’s Shortbread
or Caramel Shortbread
(aka Caramel Shortcake)
Slightly adapted recipe by Melanie Andrews 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 fruits of your labor!
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.
Authentic Millionaire's Shortbread or Caramel Shortcake (Shortbread with Caramel and Chocolate)
Ingredients
- 1 recipe shortbread see recipe card below
Caramel Layer
- 6 oz butter (1 1/2 sticks)
- ¾ c sugar
- 3 Tbsp Lyle's Golden Syrup available in British or specialty shops (omit if you cannot find it)
- 7 oz condensed milk (½ of a 14 oz can)
- 8 oz chocolate (for top layer) good quality, dark (or milk)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º F (170º C)
Make the Shortbread
- Make the recipe and lightly prick with a fork and bake for about 20 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Make the Caramel
- Put the butter, sugar, Golden Syrup and condensed milk in a heavy bottomed pan and heat to bubbling, then simmer, stirring constantly, until thick and golden brown in color. If you have a candy thermometer, bring it to the soft ball stage 235-240F (113-115C). Otherwise, test a drop in a cold glass of water, and when it forms a soft ball, it's ready.
- Pour caramel over cooled shortbread, and set aside to cool.
Finish the Millionaire Shortbread Bars
- When the caramel has set, melt the chocolate (I put it in the microwave on "defrost") and spread it evenly over the top of the caramel layer.
- Refrigerate before cutting into slices, and store in an airtight tin or freeze.
Notes
- Use milk chocolate if you prefer it to dark.
Nutrition
How to Make Shortbread (Easy Scottish Recipe)
Ingredients
- 1 c butter salted, softened (you can use unsalted, which is the norm for baking, but add a good pinch of salt)
- 2 ½ c all-purpose flour
- ½ c sugar
- ½ tsp sugar to sprinkle on top
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375º F (190 ºC)
- Start by mixing the butter and sugar together, but DO NOT CREAM them (see notes). The butter shouldn't be too soft, but also not straight from the fridge, especially if you use a mixer.
- Add the flour and mix to a stiff consistency. Don't overwork the dough; stop when it just comes together. That's it, you've just made shortbread dough: I told you it was easy!
- Roll out into the shape of a pan or tin you want to bake them in. I baked this in an 8 x 8 pan. Trim the edges to the approximate size.
- FINGERS: Place it in the pan of your choice. One mistake many people make is rolling the shortbread too thin. Proper shortbread should be quite thick (no less than 3/4" or 2cm if making fingers). Tip: make sure your fingers are wide enough that a fork can prick them. Use a bench scraper or knife to cut the dough into fingers. Next, prick the shortbread with a fork, about half way through.
- ROUND: You can also shape the dough into a ball, roll it out into a round, and score into triangles, then prick with a fork.
- MOULD: (brush the mold with a little oil, and sugar first to ensure it comes out nicely). Roll out the dough, place over the mould and roll again to press into it. Remove the excess dough then turn out onto a tray. If your shortbread mould doesn't have a pretty design, prick it with a fork
- CUT OUT SHAPES: roll out more thinly (as with sugar cookies) and cut with cookie cutter. Place onto prepared baking sheet and prick evenly.
- Place in preheated oven for 15 to 30 minutes (depending on which thickness or shape) or until slightly brown on edges. Sprinkle with sugar immediately upon removing from the oven. Shortbread shouldn't be darkly colored. Let your shortbread cool on or in the pan or tray before moving to rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Quality ingredients are KEY, especially the butter.
- The butter and sugar should be thoroughly amalgamated, but not creamed (as when making a cake and the result becomes light and fluffy-shortbread dough takes only a few minutes to make.)
- PLEASE USE A SCALE FOR BEST RESULTS.
- If for some reason your mixture doesn't come together, press it into a pan or use to make a crumble topping - there is no reason to throw it away.
- Store in a sealed container (an old Walker's tin is excellent) and keep in a cool, dry place. Shortbread will keep well for weeks, but is also excellent after being frozen.
- If you plan to keep your shortbread for more than two weeks, I'd suggest freezing it.
Nutrition
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I really want to make these! I’ll have to figure out a GF crust for my son, which will of course make them less authentic, BUT with your caramel and perfect melted chocolate,v they will still be delicious, I bet. And LOVED reading the above comment about how you travel so much. I get Scott’s emails everyday b/c of you. (Still waiting for my Madrid deal!) :-)
Dear Cristina, I have been making the Millionaire’s shortbread for years and found that if you cook the filling in the microwave on high power, (in a large bowl) it will cook up in about 5 minutes and will never scorch. Just stir it down every minute or so and it could not be more fool proof. I make it in a 9″ cake pan, , put it on a cake board and seal it with plastic wrap and tie a plaid ribbon on it. I makes for a very attractive and delicious gift. If you accidentally overcook the caramel and the butter separates, just stir in a bit of hot water and it will be fine.
I love your travels, it brings back wonderful memories.
Thanks for sharing that tip, Juley! I’m sure some readers will like to know this, too! You sound like a real pro and the gift with the tartan ribbon sounds like a winner! How lovely! I’m so glad you enjoy my travel posts :) More to come in 2019! Merry Christmas!
I love caramel shortbread bars! I’ve made these before (not with your recipe) and wasn’t entirely happy with it, so I’m excited to try these. One question, though, before I start… when you say ‘condensed milk’, do you mean sweetened condensed milk, or evaporated milk (US terminology)? I know there is a difference in what the two are called in the UK and the US.
P.S.- I’ve just booked a flight to Scotland for April into May through Scott’s Cheap Flights, staying for four weeks! I’m going solo but have friends in Edinburgh. I’ll use that as my base, then travel some around the country. It’s a little off-season so it was a good price from Dallas. I’m definitely a budget traveler! I love seeing your travel adventures.
Hi Carol, yes, condensed milk as in sweetened condensed milk (it needs to be thick). So happy to hear you’re going to Scotland! To be honest, you’re going at one of the best times. Last year, I was there the whole month of May (Scotland and England) and got the best weather! Think I pulled out my umbrella once! Nothing wrong with budget travel, I’ve done it most of my life and still do, although I’m treating myself a bit more in my “old age” haha! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! CC
Putting these on my holiday baking list.
You’re a gem! Happy baking!
This will never last in my house! My husband was drooling over the picture. It will call his name in the middle of the night.
Haha! That’s funny! Good luck, Katie! :)
Hi Christina. I always enjoy reading about your travels, but I have a question. How in the world can you afford all these trips? I certainly can’t seem to travel, even though I’d love to. What is your secret? I’m asking because I want to know what I need to do to travel or what I’ve been doing wrong all my life.
Thanks.
Hi Shirley, excellent question! Since I saved up my babysitting money for my first solo overseas trip when I was 17, I have made travel a priority in my life. I know that many people say they’d love to travel, but just don’t have the money. For example, when I was a social worker and made very little, I still found cheap flights and always had some trip (even if it was a weekend away an hour away) planned to look forward to. My colleague always complained that she couldn’t travel as I did (even though her salary was more than mine). The difference was I prioritized travel, and she didn’t. She spent loads of money on eating out, getting her nails and hair done frequently, going to the movies, full-service gas (that was still available!) and other things I didn’t do.
Now, I use Scott’s Cheap Flights/Travelzoo to find great deals for airfare ($299 to Barcelona last year, $400 to New Zealand and I just booked a flight for Paris for $298 -these are all round trip from LA). Sometimes I do stay with family or am hosted by tourism boards, but honestly, I just work hard and research places and choose to spend $ traveling versus other things most people do (NEVER spend a penny at Starbucks) :) AirBnB is another option for accommodation. My daughter just booked a trip for spring break to go to Barcelona and Porto and when splitting the accommodation with friends is paying $16/night in Portugal. Where there’s a will there’s a way! Hope this helps, Shirley! :)
I’ve never had this, but it would be fun to make with my granddaughters this week. Thanks for the recipe. It looks yummy and not too hard to do.
That would be a great baking project because it isn’t too difficult, Shirley. I’m sure they’d love the end result, too! Enjoy!
This reminds me of being a child at Christmas when my Mum always used to make it! My mincemeat Bakewell tart from your recipe was a winner on Monday btw!
Awesome, Suzanne! So glad you enjoyed the Bakewell Tart, too! Thank you!