Name: Easy Millionaire’s Shortbread Bars Recipe
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter (softened, slightly cool); ⅓ cup granulated sugar; ⅓ cup light brown sugar, packed; 1 large egg yolk; ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ teaspoon table salt; 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour; 2 (14-oz) cans sweetened condensed milk; 14 Tablespoons unsalted butter (cut into tablespoon-sized pieces); 1 cup light brown sugar (packed); ⅓ cup light corn syrup; ¾ teaspoon table salt; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips; ½ cup heavy cream; Flaky sea salt (for sprinkling)

If you’re on the hunt for an indulgent yet straightforward dessert, you’re going to adore this Easy Millionaire’s Shortbread Bars Recipe. I absolutely love how these bars come together with that buttery shortbread base, ooey-gooey caramel center, and rich chocolate ganache on top — it’s a trifecta of pure delight. Whether you’re sharing with family or bringing it to a party, these bars never fail to impress and will have everyone coming back for more.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simplicity Meets Decadence: Despite feeling fancy, the ingredients and steps are totally approachable.
Homemade Caramel Magic: Nothing beats that homemade caramel layer – it’s chewy and buttery perfection.
Perfect Party Pleaser: These bars are easy to slice, share, and make ahead, perfect for any occasion.
Customizable Toppings: Add flaky sea salt or nuts for extra texture and flavor that suits your taste.

The image shows two stacked dessert squares with three clear layers: the bottom layer is light yellow and crumbly like shortbread, the middle layer is a smooth caramel in a golden brown color, and the top layer is a thick dark chocolate with a shiny, smooth texture sprinkled with flaky white sea salt. The top square has a bite taken out of it, showing the soft inside of each layer. The treats are placed on a piece of parchment paper on a white marbled surface, with a white and black checkered cloth blurred in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Easy Millionaire's Shortbread Bars, millionaire's shortbread bars, caramel shortbread bars, chocolate caramel shortbread, no-bake shortbread bars

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each component in this Easy Millionaire’s Shortbread Bars Recipe works to create a balanced indulgence — the shortbread is crisp, the caramel is rich and chewy, and the chocolate topping melts into pure bliss. Quality ingredients make a noticeable difference here, especially with the butter and chocolate, so choose wisely!

Flat lay of a few small cubes of unsalted butter, two small white ceramic bowls—one filled with granulated sugar and another with packed light brown sugar, a single large uncracked brown egg, a small white bowl of golden vanilla extract, a small white bowl with fine table salt, a simple mound of all-purpose flour, two unopened cans of sweetened condensed milk, a small white bowl holding light corn syrup, a small heap of semisweet chocolate chips, a small white bowl of heavy cream, and delicate flaky sea salt crystals scattered around, all placed in perfect symmetry on a clean white ceramic plate and bowls, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Easy Millionaire's Shortbread Bars, millionaire's shortbread bars, caramel shortbread bars, chocolate caramel shortbread, no-bake shortbread bars

Unsalted butter (softened): Softened but not melted ensures your shortbread dough comes together smoothly without becoming greasy.
Granulated sugar: Helps give the shortbread that classic crisp sweetness and light texture.
Light brown sugar (packed): Adds moisture and that lovely caramel-like depth when combined into the shortbread and caramel.
Large egg yolk: Adds richness and helps bind the shortbread dough just right.
Vanilla extract: Elevates the flavor across all layers — don’t skip it!
Table salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the buttery flavor.
All-purpose flour: The backbone of the shortbread, giving it that tender crumb.
Sweetened condensed milk: The secret star in the caramel filling — creamy and dreamy consistency.
Light corn syrup: Keeps the caramel smooth and prevents crystallization.
Semisweet chocolate chips: Melts into a luscious ganache topping that’s not too sweet.
Heavy cream: Makes the ganache beautifully rich and glossy.
Flaky sea salt: Optional but highly recommended on top for that perfect salty-sweet contrast.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love customizing this Easy Millionaire’s Shortbread Bars Recipe depending on the occasion or what I have on hand. You can easily tweak the toppings or even the kind of chocolate you use to suit your craving or dietary needs.

Salted Caramel Twist: Sprinkle extra flaky sea salt on top before the chocolate sets to get that irresistible sweet-salty combo — my family goes crazy for this!
Dairy-Free Substitute: Swap regular butter for dairy-free margarine and use coconut cream instead of heavy cream to make this vegan-friendly; just keep an eye on caramel consistency.
Nutty Crunch: Add toasted chopped pecans or almonds either in the caramel layer or sprinkled on top of the chocolate for extra texture.
Chocolate Swap: Use dark chocolate or white chocolate chips in the ganache to create different flavor profiles; I personally love the bittersweet edge of dark chocolate.

How to Make Easy Millionaire’s Shortbread Bars Recipe

Step 1: Prepare and Bake the Shortbread Base

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (177°C) and lining a 13×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper — trust me, this makes cleanup a breeze and helps the bars lift out perfectly. Using an electric mixer, beat together your softened butter with the granulated and brown sugars until the mixture is light, fluffy, and totally creamed. This usually takes a good 3-4 minutes, so be patient — it’s essential for a tender shortbread base.

Next, add the egg yolk and vanilla extract, beating well while scraping the bowl occasionally to make sure everything’s combined evenly. Then, with your mixer on low, gradually add the flour. About halfway through, sprinkle in the salt — this little trick enhances the flavor without needing a lot of salt. Be careful not to overmix; you want just enough to bring everything together so the dough is classic crumbly shortbread texture and easier to press into the pan.

Press the dough firmly and evenly into the pan. Here’s a trick I discovered to avoid sticky fingers: place a piece of wax paper over the dough and use the back of a spoon to smooth and compact it. Pop the pan into the oven, and bake for about 25 minutes until the edges turn a lovely light golden brown. Let it cool while you move on to the caramel.

Step 2: Make the Gooey Caramel Filling

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine your sweetened condensed milk, 14 tablespoons of butter (cut into tablespoon pieces), packed brown sugar, light corn syrup, and salt. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon or heat-proof spatula as it melts and thickens — this usually takes about 10-15 minutes. Don’t rush this part; patience is key to get that perfect chewy caramel texture rather than something grainy or burnt.

When the caramel thickens and turns a pretty golden amber color, remove it from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Pour this luscious caramel layer evenly over the cooled shortbread base. Then, pop it in the fridge to set for at least 30 minutes. Pro tip: if you’re short on time, placing it in the freezer for 15-20 minutes speeds things up without compromising texture.

Step 3: Finish with Silky Chocolate Ganache

Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan or microwave just until you see it start to simmer (don’t let it boil). Pour the hot cream over your semisweet chocolate chips in a heat-safe bowl and let it sit for 3-5 minutes. Then gently stir until smooth, silky, and glossy — this is your ganache. Pour it carefully over the set caramel layer and smooth out with a spatula.

Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top while the ganache is still soft to add that irresistible contrast. Refrigerate the entire pan for at least 2 hours, or overnight if you can wait (it’s tough, trust me!). Once fully chilled, use a sharp knife to cut into squares and enjoy.

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Pro Tips for Making Easy Millionaire’s Shortbread Bars Recipe

Butter Temperature: Always soften but don’t melt the butter for the shortbread — this gives you the ideal texture and helps the sugars cream properly.
Caramel Patience: Stir your caramel constantly over medium heat and don’t speed up the cooking with high heat — it’s what keeps it smooth and dreamy.
Smoothing the Base: Use wax paper and the back of a spoon to press the shortbread evenly without sticking — it’s a small trick that saves so much hassle.
Cutting Clean Bars: Chill thoroughly before slicing and use a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts for perfect edges.

How to Serve Easy Millionaire’s Shortbread Bars Recipe

A square dessert bar with three distinct layers sits on a white marbled surface, with a bite taken from one corner showing the inside. The bottom layer is a pale, crumbly shortbread base with a slightly coarse texture. Above this is a thicker, soft caramel layer in a rich golden brown shade, smooth and glossy but soft enough to show some indentation near the bite. The top layer is a dark chocolate ganache, shiny and firm, sprinkled with coarse white sea salt flakes. Nearby are more similar bars, focusing on the bitten bar in the foreground, with soft natural lighting highlighting the textures and colors. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Easy Millionaire's Shortbread Bars, millionaire's shortbread bars, caramel shortbread bars, chocolate caramel shortbread, no-bake shortbread bars

Garnishes

I often sprinkle flaky sea salt over the chocolate because that salty crunch against the sweet caramel is just heavenly. If I’m feeling festive, I’ll add a light dusting of cocoa powder or some toasted chopped nuts for an extra touch of texture and flavor. These little extras make the bars look special, too!

Side Dishes

These bars stand out beautifully on their own, but I love pairing them with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream to balance out the richness. For drinks, a hot cup of coffee or a bold espresso complements the chocolate and caramel layers perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I’ve arranged these bars on decorative trays with little labels describing each variation (like salted caramel or nutty). I’ve even drizzled additional melted chocolate in a zig-zag pattern across the top for an artistic touch. Wrapping individual bars in parchment paper tied with twine is a lovely way to gift them too!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled and cut, I store these bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator — they’ll stay fresh and chewy for about 5 days. If you let them sit at room temperature too long, the caramel can get a bit sticky, so refrigeration helps maintain that perfect texture.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these bars successfully a couple of times by wrapping each piece tightly in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready, just thaw overnight in the fridge — the texture holds up really well, and they taste freshly made!

Reheating

If you want to enjoy these bars warm, gently microwave a single piece in 10-second intervals until just heated through — avoid overheating or the caramel can become too runny. Warm bars pair beautifully with a scoop of ice cream, seriously next-level delicious.

FAQs

Can I make Easy Millionaire’s Shortbread Bars Recipe dairy-free?

Yes! You can substitute the unsalted butter with a quality dairy-free margarine and use coconut cream instead of heavy cream for the ganache. Keep in mind the caramel is traditionally made with sweetened condensed milk, so look for a vegan condensed milk alternative or consider a different caramel recipe made with vegan ingredients.
How do I prevent the caramel from crystallizing?

Stir the caramel constantly over medium heat and use light corn syrup, which helps inhibit crystallization. Avoid high heat and don’t stir too vigorously once it starts to thicken. Patience is key here!
Can I use different types of chocolate for the ganache?

Absolutely! Semisweet chocolate is classic, but dark or milk chocolate works well too. White chocolate can be used for a sweeter variation, though you may want to adjust the salt garnish accordingly.
What’s the best way to cut the bars cleanly?

Ensure that the bars are fully chilled before slicing. Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts for smooth edges. Some folks find rinsing the knife blade under hot water helps prevent sticking, but be sure to dry it well first.

Final Thoughts

When I first tried my hand at this Easy Millionaire’s Shortbread Bars Recipe, I couldn’t believe how such a straightforward combination of ingredients created something that tasted this luxurious. It’s now a staple in my dessert rotation because it hits that perfect balance between simple to make and utterly indulgent. Give it a go — I promise you’ll have happy taste buds and even happier guests!