These Millionaires Shortbread bars start with a shortbread base, then are topped with a homemade caramel and a chocolate glaze.
Darn those girl scouts….
Ok, so these bars have nothing to do with the girl scouts except for the fact that my husband and I have been stuffing our faces with girl scout cookies for the past 2 weeks. As I went to make something from this month’s Cookbook of the Month, I started wondering why I had chosen a baking book for this month – after all the cookies we’ve eaten, we need a diet cookbook!!
But the choice had already been made, the book purchased, and I’m actually excited to do some baking. So I decided that for the most part, these treats would be given away. In my church, I work with the teenage girls, and we get together every Wednesday night. I decided that this month, they will be the recipients of this month’s recipes!
I’ve made something similar to this recipe before. These actually weren’t my first choice to make – I had a cookie recipe I was going to make, but I didn’t read through the recipe soon enough and I found out the dough needed to be refrigerated for 6 hours. I would be cutting it close, so I looked through the book for something that I had all the ingredients on hand for, and these were the first thing I came across.
I really almost ran out of time with these, too. You need time for the dulce de leche, which took me a little over 2 hours. And then the chocolate layer needs at least 1 hour in the fridge, and I barely had that much time. The chocolate was still a little soft when I cut these, so they weren’t perfect when I cut through them. I did change the chocolate to semi-sweet instead of dark chocolate, since I was feeding them to teenagers.
My husband and I each tried one small piece before I whisked them off. We both liked them, but thought that the chocolate really overpowered the bar. I could barely taste the dulce de leche, and that is my favorite part! But the response I got from the girls was amazing! They all ranted and raved about them. I think for the next recipes, I’ll have the girls rate the recipe and average that score with mine and my husband’s, but for this week, I’ll have to just make up a rating based on their response combined with ours! I cut these bars pretty small because they are quite rich, so the amount of bars you get depends on how big you want to cut them.
Recipe Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Millionaires Shortbread
Ingredients
for the shortbread
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 1/4 cups 2 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
- 2 /12 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg yolk slightly beaten
for the caramel filling
- 28 ounces sweetened condensed milk two 14-ounce cans
for the chocolate glaze
- 6 ounces semi sweet chocolate coarsely chopped
- 1 teaspoon light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup 1 stick unsalted butter, softened, cut into cubes
Instructions
For the shortbread:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. butter the bottom and sides of a 9-by-13-inch baking pan.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the sugar and butter together until blended.
- Add 2 cups of the flour and beat until well combined. Add the egg yolk and beat for a few seconds, or until just combined.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Dust the top of the dough and your hands with a little flour. Use your hands to gently work the dough into a 6-by-6-inch square. You will have to turn the dough and sprinkle the top with flour as you go. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup flour on the surface of the dough. Fold the dough over and knead until incorporated, then flatten the dough into a rectangle. Transfer the rectangle to the prepared pan and press it into the pan.
- Prick the dough all over with a fork and bake in the center of the oven for 20 to 22 minutes, until golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.
For the caramel filling:
- Put the sweetened condensed milk in a medium heatproof bowl and set it over a saucepan of boiling water over low heat. Cook for 1 to 2 hours, until thick and caramel colored. Remove the bowl from the pan and beat until smooth.
- Pour the caramel filling over the cooled shortbread and place the pan in the refrigerator until cooled, about 2 hours.
For the chocolate glaze:
- In a large nonreactive metal bowl, combine the chocolate, corn syrup, and butter. Set the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water and cook, stirring with a rubber spatula, until the mixture is completely smooth. Remove the bowl from the pan and stir for 30 seconds to cool slightly. Pour the mixture over the chilled caramel layer and use an offset spatula to spread it into an even layer.
- Put in the refrigerator for 1 hour, or until the glaze hardens.
- Remove the pan from the refrigerator 30 minutes before serving so as not to crack the chocolate glaze. Cut into squares and serve.
blackcatx3 says
I made this using a family recipe for caramel cake icing instead of dulce de leche– made with cream and white sugar. Put a thin layer of chocolate on top of that and a light sprinkle of fleur de sel. It worked nicely– caramel flavor did come through.
annasmimi says
These look wonderful~drooling here!
Stephanie :) says
I think I would pass out if I made these and had to wait the hours it takes to make them…. 🙂
Kathy says
My husband loves shortbread! I’ll have to try this!!!
emyru says
Mmmmmm! what a creative recipe – I work with a lot of actors and they would love me forever if I made these for them! I will be making these on the next show I work on.
aquabatgirl says
i am constantly trying to new baked recipes so this book would be great
Talia says
Those look wonderful. Shortbread is one of my favorite things to make, and it is fun to discover “fancy” versions that incorporate the wonderfully simple shortbread cookie. Thanks for sharing this one and the cookbook they are from!
Anonymous says
They look yummy, I’ve actually been looking for a good recipe for Millionaires Shortbread. Thanks for posting. -Ciderjo
Marta says
Caramel – chocolate – shortbred: perfect!
Sarah says
These look too good!
And I really want that cookbook. Really.
Jason and Brook says
I am not a big shortbread fan, but am sure there are many other recipes I’d love to try in this cookbook!
eatme_delicious says
I’ve never made Millionaire shortbread – one day I will. That’s too bad the chocolate overpowered the bar though! The dulce de leche would’ve been what I wanted to taste the most too.
Jones says
ok, I think this might have to be my next ‘gathering treat’ I make. Next ward party? lol
Your daughter is going to be a happy girl when she can eat food food and realizes what an awesome cook her momma is!
Kathy says
Shortbread is one of my favorite and this was sooo easy and fun to make! Yummy!
Carrie says
This looks great. I don’t particularly care for shortbread, but when it’s paired with chocolate, then it’s a winner. Thank you!
Jackie says
I am dying for this book ever since I saw Matt do the pumpkin whoopie pies (which I’ve made a TON of) on Martha last fall. Thanks for a fun blog.
Jan says
YUM! I can’t wait to make these!
BeckyRos says
looks yummy! The cookbook looks great too..hope I win 😉
KimS says
Yum! Our girl scout cookies are long gone, we got them back in Feb.
Anonymous says
AWESOME!
Chocolate Shavings says
That looks SO good Deborah!
Brianne says
Those look very similar to the infamous snickery squares from Dorie Greenspan. Of course, they don’t have the caramelized peanuts, so it’s not exactly the same, but a similar concept. I can certainly understand why you gave them a 4.5 out of 5 stars! 🙂
♥Rosie♥ says
Mmmm…these shortbreads look delicious!! The family adore these bars and it reminds me I haven’t made these in ages….
Sunfall_E says
This sounds good. I really don’t know about cooking an unopened can of sweetened condensed milk in a crockpot. Seems like a recipe for homemade nitro 9 to me.
Paula says
Shortbread with caramel and chocolate? Works for me! Wow, lots of time needed with that dulce de leche 2 hour time frame plus the sitting time for the choc, but boy they look worth it … especially with a 4.5 rating! 🙂
Hilary says
I have also made a similar recipe…called Caramel Toffee Squares from Company’s Coming 150 Delicious Squares…my philosophy: anything with sweetened condensed milk is a winner!
Kristy says
Yum! That looks delicious! I can’t wait to get baking.
Elle says
Wonderful cookies, but two hours of cooking for the caramel? Do you have to pay attention to it the whole time?
Emily says
Those look great! I’ve been wanting to try something for dessert that’s a little bit different.
Elizabeth says
These look amazing! Perfectly assembled for a professional looking treat!
Peabody says
I had considered making this, they look like giant Twix bars, which I love.
Now seeing these, I need to make it.
Maria says
I checked Baked out from the library. I haven’t had time to make anything yet. The bars look awesome!
Tiff says
Are you serious? All my dreams would come true if I could win this cookbook. Every time I see a recipe from this cookbook, I want to 1. buy it and 2. make the recipe, and fast! I haven’t seen this recipe, and it looks just amazing! Thanks for sharing and for the giveaway!
Mary says
Well they look delicious! I’m surprised the chocolate overwhelms the dulce de leche. It looks like there’s a nice thick layer of it. Would making the chocolate layer thinner help? And yeah, I’m bookmarking them.
Grace says
although i like chocolate, i’d be disappointed that it overwhelmed the dulce de leche flavor too. very pretty bars, deborah!
kamailesfood says
I’m a chocolate lover so I think I wouldn’t mind it overpowering the caramel part. These look fantastic! 🙂
Andrew & Carlene Wood says
wow, they look super rich and tasty mm mm good
Andrew & Carlene Wood says
wow, they look super rich and tasty mm mm good
Dragon says
These look so incredible!
Carol Ann says
The shortbread look delicious. Dulce de leche comes ready made in a can in the hispanic section of my supermarket. That would really shorten prep time.
Can’t wait to try these.
Carla says
These look amazing and will be bookmarked. I looove shortbread. I just watched the new girl on FN make a 5 ingredient shortbread, which had me all warmed up and ready for your post, lol. Now I have it in my head that I need some shortbread.
thebrunettebaker says
Yum! My better half makes candies called Millionaires (similar to Turtles)…I wonder if the addition of nuts into the caramel would reduce the overpowering chocolate??
kat says
OMG, those sound amazing, all flavors I love!
Candy Girl says
Your site is one of the first food blogs I discovered and still love! You’ve got an award at my place, come check it out!
kristina says
Millionaires Shortbread is very popular here in England, but I’ve never made it myself. Those look perfect 🙂 The dulce de leche would be my favorite part, too! K x
Allison Holmes says
woohoo those look fabuolous
and darn those girl scouts for pushing my bikini ready bod further away from me!!!
Elyse says
Those Girl Scout cookies can be dangerous. Glad you got a chance to try out a different dessert. These shortbread lookf fabulous. These were some of my favorite treats when I studied in London! Yummy!
Jean Bugs says
These look great. What about using milk chocolate? I would think that would be less overpowering. I’m totally wanting this book 🙂
Angie says
Those treats look yummy! I’m definitely craving sweets right now.
The Isom Eight says
We are definitely going to have to try these. We LOVE dulce de leche and chocolate! 🙂
Amy S. says
I must make these soon! They look delicious.
Kim says
Looks so good and I’m so hungry for cookies and chocolate and anything in that Baked cookbook. I’m looking forward to see your posts on the recipes in Baked.
KAZ says
Looks way to good and dangerous to make. I will have to try them. Thanks for the recipe.
Bing says
yum… maybe I’ll make some for my sister’s bday!
Lasting Memories by Marjean says
These bars look yummy! I can’t wait to try them. Thanks for the recipe!
katskitchen says
That’s too bad the chocolate over powered the shortbread, but I guess if you’re a chocolate lover, that’s ok!
Crystal says
These look delicious…a triple dose of sweetness!
Holly says
These look delicious. I definitely need to try them. And I’d love to win the cookbook too…
Sophie says
That’s so neat that you work with teen girls, I’m sure they’ll love these! Yummy-how I miss girl scout cookies!
Rosa's Yummy Yums says
They look really good, but I guess there could be more dulce leche filling… Anaway, I’d gobble them no matter if the chocolate is a little overpowering!
Cheers,
Rosa
Laura says
I am telling you, all I ever read about on food blogs is the Baked cookbook! Of course, when I told my (college-age) roommate that I wanted this cookbook, he got really excited because he thought it might have instructions for getting “baked.” sigh. Those shortbread bars look great though!
StickyGooeyCreamyChewy says
I love Millionaire’s Shortbread! When I was in Scotland, I ate tons of it! It’s very popular there. You did a beautiful job with yours. It looks scrumptious!
Mama Goose says
Those look pretty deadly.
The Queen of Quite a Lot says
Those look so yummy! They are going into my must make list!
Michelle @ Find Your Balance Health says
Oh heavens, yes, better give away at least some of your wonderful baking or else you guys will be on a sugar high for the next month straight!
MindyW says
These look like a lot of work to me! You have some lucky young women who get to try all of your lovely treats!
Michelle says
I’ve decided I need to stop looking at your food blog….this gestational diabetes is just about killing me on its own…then I check your blog, and I just know it’s going to be something sweet….and there it is! delicious little cookies! (okay, shortbreads, but they are all cookies to me!) i need chocolate!
Elaine says
Wow! These look fantastic. I’m definitely going to be making these!
Nama says
Mmmm…these look delicious. And since I’m not a huge fan of dulce de leche and a HUGE fan of chocolate, maybe I’ll like them better?
Astra Libris says
Oh my goodness, such gorgeous shortbread! The girls you work with are very fortunate to have you baking such delectable treats for them!
Scott and Melissa says
These look scrumptious. I think I am going to try them this weekend!
Sara says
These look SO good. Would you believe that I’ve never made shortbread before? This sounds like a great recipe to start with!
Janie says
Those look GREAT!
Ginny says
those look so good! Must try! 🙂
Jingle says
These look great, but I was worried about the chocolate being too strong for the other flavors. Maybe playing with it a bit could balance things out a little more.
Jenna says
What a yummy looking recipe! I can’t wait to try them!
kd says
Can anything with caramel be bad? Caramel is so yummy!
She She says
Wow. Those look delicious. My kids would love them. They’re now on my to-do list for this weekend!
Amanda G. says
Wow these look tasty! I have also heard you can make caramel by putting unopened cans of sweetened condensed milk in the crockpot. I am not sure of the times and such, but it sounds easy. And the unopened cans can go back to the shelf till you are ready to use them.