Millionaire’s Bars are a rich and indulgent treat featuring three layers of deliciousness: a buttery shortbread crust, a smooth caramel filling, and a luscious semi-sweet chocolate topping. This classic dessert is the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth while impressing guests with its layered perfection. For another dessert inspired by shortbread and caramel, try my Caramel Shortbread Pie—you won’t be disappointed!
What Are Millionaire’s Bars?
Millionaire’s Bars (sometimes called caramel shortcake or caramel squares) are a sweet, layered dessert that starts with a homemade shortbread crust. The buttery shortbread serves as the perfect foundation for the rich, gooey caramel layer. A glossy topping of semi-sweet chocolate finishes off these decadent bars, making them worthy of the “millionaire” name.
Ingredients for Millionaire’s Bars & Substitutions
The recipe for Millionaire’s Bars can be broken into three parts: the shortbread crust, the caramel filling, and the chocolate topping. Here’s what you’ll need to make each layer:
- Superfine Sugar: This fine sugar (also known as caster sugar) creates the perfect texture for the shortbread. If you don’t have superfine sugar, simply pulse regular granulated sugar in a food processor for about 30 seconds to achieve the desired texture.
- Corn Syrup: Essential for creating a smooth, glossy caramel, corn syrup helps prevent the caramel from becoming grainy.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate: The semi-sweet chocolate balances the sweetness of the shortbread and caramel layers. Milk chocolate can be used if you prefer a sweeter option.
- Challenge Butter: Butter is key to both the shortbread and caramel. For a richer flavor, I recommend using Challenge Butter—it’s churned fresh daily from high-quality cream and milk from family-owned dairies.
Caramel Filling Tips
When making the caramel layer, you’ll need to stir constantly while cooking the mixture. This can take about 15 minutes, so grab a seat and get ready to stir. The key temperature is 236°F on a candy thermometer. If you stop stirring or let the temperature go too high, the caramel could burn, so don’t take breaks! If you notice any burning, quickly reduce the heat and keep stirring to prevent flecks from ruining your perfect caramel.
How to Serve & Store Millionaire’s Bars
Once the chocolate topping has set (but is still soft), you can cut the bars into squares or rectangles. They are best served chilled, so store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. These bars are perfect for gatherings, special occasions, or as an irresistible treat whenever you need something sweet.
Other Delicious Bars You’ll Love
If you love Millionaire’s Bars, be sure to try these other tempting bar recipes:
- Magic Cookie Bars
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars
- Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars
- Puppy Chow Bars
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Chill Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
Millionaire’s Bars Ingredients
For the Shortbread:
- 1 cup (2 sticks / 227 g) unsalted Challenge butter, cold
- 1 ¾ cups (219 g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup (32 g) cornstarch
- ⅔ cup (150 g) superfine sugar (or caster sugar)
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
For the Caramel Filling:
- 1 cup (2 sticks / 227 g) unsalted Challenge butter
- 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup (119 g) heavy cream
- ½ cup (170.5 g) light corn syrup
- 1 cup (200 g) light brown sugar, packed
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Chocolate Topping:
- 8 ounces (226 g) semi-sweet chocolate baking bar, broken into pieces
Instructions
For the Shortbread:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine flour, cornstarch, sugar, and salt on low speed until mixed (about 5 seconds).
- Cut the cold butter into ½-inch cubes and toss with ¼ cup of the flour mixture.
- Add the butter mixture to the stand mixer and mix on low until the dough is crumbly and light yellow (about 4 minutes).
- Press the mixture firmly into the pan, smoothing with a spoon. Pierce the dough with a fork at 1-inch intervals.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. Let it cool, then press down with a spatula to level the surface.
For the Caramel Filling:
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Stir in condensed milk, heavy cream, corn syrup, brown sugar, salt, and vanilla. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the temperature reaches 236°F on a candy thermometer (about 15-18 minutes).
- Pour the caramel mixture over the cooled shortbread, spreading it evenly. Let it cool completely in the refrigerator (about 1½ hours).
For the Chocolate Topping:
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate pieces in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval.
- Spread the melted chocolate evenly over the caramel layer. Allow it to set (about 10 minutes).
- Once the chocolate is set, cut the bars into squares or strips and serve.
Enjoy the rich, buttery goodness of Millionaire’s Bars!