Millionaires' Shortbread. I think I must have been hiding under a rock before I came here to the UK because this was something I had never heard of or experienced before coming here.
These incredibly moreish bars consist of a shortbread base, topped with a rich caramel filling and finished off with a melted chocolate topping.
This recipe I am sharing today is the best millionaires shortbread recipe. I kid you not!
I can remember it being love at first bite when I tasted these for the very first time.
Shortbread cookies have always been a favourite of mine, but topped with caramel and then chocolate? Well . . . count me in!
The recipe which I am sharing with you today comes from the Cookery by by Parragon Press, entitled Grandma's Best Recipes.
I love this book. It is filled to overflowing with lovely recipes. Everyone I have tried so far has turned out perfectly.
Also known as Caramel Shortbread, the origins of this recipe are said to be Scotland, which makes sense as shortbread is certainly a Scottish invention!
I guess you could call it Scottish Millionaires Shortbread.
The original recipe of this shortcake has certain variations. One variation includes shortbread with raisins on top and another with peanut butter instead of chocolate.
I cannot speak to what those might taste like as I have only ever tasted this version, with the caramel filling.
I have to say however a peanut butter version sounds pretty heavenly to this peanut butter loving heart.
The base goes together very quickly in a food processor.
You just bang in the ingredients, blitz and then press the mixture into a baking pan and bake.
You can be making the filling while the shortbread base bakes. Its relatively simple to make as well.
You just put everything into a saucepan and cook and stir . . . the stirring is the most tedious part . . . as it must be stirred constantly.
With its high sugar content (sweetened condensed milk, golden syrup, sugar) it can catch very easily.
It is important not to cook it over a very high heat and to stir, stir, stir it constantly to prevent this from happening.
I have heard of some people using Dulce de Leche for this filling, but I don't recommend that.
You really want to make it from scratch for it to be perfectly authentic.
Rich and caramel-like . . . sweet and lush, and also buttery, just shy of being like McIntosh's toffee bars from back home.
My ex husband used to love McIntosh's toffee. I am sure he ate one of those every day of his life almost. At least while we were married. He loved that and wine gums.
In any case, I digress. This thick caramel filling is gorgeously moreish.
Very rich however so a little bit goes a very long way.
You pour it over the shortbread base and then refrigerate it so that it sets up perfectly, ready to have melted chocolate poured over top.
The recipe just said chocolate. I used chocolate chips. They worked beautifully . . .
This is incredibly rich, which is probably why it has the name Millionaires' short bread.
The recipe said it made 12 fingers, but in all honesty I think the fingers are far too much to contemplate.
I would rather enjoy it cut into squares in which case instead of 12 servings it would make 24.
Yield: 12 servings
Millionaires' Shortbread
With their buttery shortbread base, rich caramel filling and crisp chocolate topping these are destined to become a real favourite!
Ingredients
For the shortbread base:
- 120g cold salted butter (1/2 cup)
- 175g plain flour (1 1/5 cup)
- 55g castor sugar (1/4 cup)
For the caramel filling:
- 175g butter (3/4 cup)
- 115g sugar (1/2 cup)
- 3 TBS golden syrup
- 400ml sweetened condensed milk (14 ounces)
For the chocolate topping:
- 200g plain chocolate, broken into pieces (1/2 pound) (I used semi sweet chocolate chips)
Instructions
- First make the shortbread base. Preheat the oven to 180*C/350*F/ gas mark 4. Butter a 9 inch square baking tin and line with paper leaving a bit of ovehang to lift it out with when totally done.
- Put all of the ingredients for the shortbread base into a food processor. Blitz until the mixture begins to bind together. Press into the prepared tin and smooth the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown.
- For the filling, combine all of the filling ingredients in a saucepan. Gently heat over low heat, stirring, until the sugar has completely dissolved. Bring to the boil and then simmer at a low bubble, stirring constantly for 6 to 8 minus until the mixture turns caramel like and becomes very thick.
- Pour this mixture over the shortbread base in the tin. Refrigerate until firm.
- Melt the chocolate in a heat proof bowl over simmering water. Stir until completely melted and then pour/spread over top of the set caramel. Return to the refrigerator until completely firm.
- Cut into 12 fingers with a sharp knife to serve.
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There is really no nice way to photograph these or make them look really pretty. They are what they are and that is to say incredibly delicious, and a lot easier to make than one would suppose!
This content (written and photography) is the sole property of The English Kitchen. Any reposting or misuse is not permitted. If you are reading this elsewhere, please know that it is stolen content and you may report it to me at: mariealicejoan@aol.com
Oh, this certainly does look like a sweet indulgence. Yum! Fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks Katy! They are incredibly moreish! xoxo
DeleteLove these, but would always used the tinned dulce de leche. If you take your eye off the cooked topping for even a second it will burn. Just open the tin, spread it and add the chocolate. Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteThat's why you stir it constantly over a low simmer. Or use a simmer pad beneath the pot. These really help as well. But yes, Dulce de Leche is a lot simpler. It doesn't set up quite the same however and it doesn't taste quite the same. xoxo
DeleteOh my! These bars are certainly drool worthy. Thank you for sharing the recipe. I hope to make them soon.
ReplyDeleteI hope that you enjoy them! xoxo
DeleteI'm thinking you could even cut those 24 in half and they would be almost like candy pieces. They sound really fabulous. I've never done a caramel -- thanks for the "don't leave it" tip!
ReplyDeletethese are pretty amazing Jeanie! Thanks! xoxo
DeleteOh.my. !!! I am not much of a caramel gal, and this looks a bit caramel heavy but too dang tempting not to try LOL. Thanks again Marie! ~Robin~
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome Robin! These are very moreish! xoxo
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