• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Confessions of a Baking Queen logo
  • About
    • Contact
  • All Recipes
    • St. Patricks Day
    • British Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Dessert
      • Bar
      • Bread
      • Brownie
      • Caramel
      • Cake
      • Chocolate
      • Chocolates/Candy
      • Cheesecake
      • Cookies
      • Cupcakes
      • Custard and Creams
      • Creme Brûlée
      • Crumble & Crisps
      • Lemon
      • Pastry
      • Peanut Butter
      • Pie
      • Pudding
      • Sauces, Frostings & Toppings
      • Scone
      • Tart
      • Tiramisu
    • Appetizers
    • Dinner
      • Beef Recipes
      • Chicken Recipes
      • Pasta
      • Seafood
      • Side Dish
    • Drinks
    • Egg Free
    • Gluten Free
    • Spring Recipes
    • Fall Favorite Recipes
    • Summer Recipes
  • Dessert
    • Cookies
    • Cake
    • Bar
    • Cheesecake
  • Shop
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • All Desserts
  • All Recipes
  • Shop
  • Resources
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • All Desserts
    • All Recipes
    • Shop
    • Resources
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Dessert » Bar

    Salted Millionaire's Shortbread

    Published: Apr 4, 2019 · by Elizabeth Waterson · This post may contain affiliate links, which may pay me a small commission for my referral at no extra cost to you! Thank you for supporting Confessions of a Baking Queen!

    Jump to Recipe
    four pieces of salted millionaires shortbread

    Buttery Shortbread Crust, topped with Salted Caramel, finished with chocolate and sprinkle of sea salt, this Salted Millionaire's Shortbread Recipe is the Best! Perfect for a bake sale or your next party! 

    salted millionaire shortbread pieces with one sticking up to show the layers

    When I was growing up my aunty would make millionaire's shortbread occasionally. My mom made shortbread all the time. Brown Butter Shortbread is also a love of mine. But Millionaire's Shortbread is so special.  I love millionaire's shortbread. So darn good. Caramel, shortbread and chocolate? Sign me the heck up!!

    It recently occurred to me adding sea salt would probably be an amazing idea. It was. I died, went to heaven and indulged on three million bars of these. I also love these double chocolate chip cookies with sea salt!

    This is super easy to make, the only time-consuming part is making the caramel layer. Stirring a pot of caramel over a hot stove will make you hot. But worth it. Sooooooo worth it.

    Jump to:
    • 🍫What are the ingredients for salted millionaires shortbread
    • 📖 How do you make the bars
    • Recipe Card
    • 🍴 More salted caramel recipes
    • Recipe Ratings & Comments
    four pieces of salted millionaires shortbread

    🍫What are the ingredients for salted millionaires shortbread

    • All-Purpose Flour/ Plain Flour
    • Granulated Sugar/ Caster Sugar
    • Salt
    • Unsalted Butter
    • Sweetened Condensed Milk
    • Brown sugar
    • Heavy Whipping Cream/ Double Cream
    • Light Corn Syrup
    • Unsalted Butter
    • Sea Salt/Fleur de Sel
    • Semi-Sweet Chocolate (4 oz chopped fine, 1.5 oz grated)
    • Sea Salt for sprinkling on top of bars

    📖 How do you make the bars

    We are going to start with the shortbread crust.

    Preheat oven to 350F/180C and line a 9X9 pan with foil so the foil overhangs. This helps you easily lift the bars out of the pan.

    In a large bowl mix together the all-purpose flour/plain flour, granulated sugar, and salt.

    dry ingredients for a shortbread crust in a glass bowl
    melted butter added to dry ingredients in a glass bowl

    To the flour mixture add the melted butter and mix until fully combined.

    shortbread dough in a glass bowl

    Press the dough into the bottom of prepared pan. Use your palm to press the dough to create an even layer, then use a fork to prick the dough every inch.

    hand pressing crust down in a metal square pan
    hand holding a fork to prick a shortbread crust

    Place in the oven to bake for 20-25 minutes. Then let cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes.

    baked shortbread crust in a square pan

    Next we need to make the caramel layer.

    In a large heavy bottom pan add the sweetened condensed milk, brown sugar, heavy cream, corn syrup, and unsalted butter. Cook over medium heat stirring often until the mixture registers to 236F/113C to 240F/115C degrees. This will take about 10- 15 minutes of stirring.

    Once the temperature is reached take off heat immediately.

    caramel in a blue dutch oven

    Pour the caramel evenly over the cooled crust and use a spatula to spread it in an even layer.

    Sprinkle sea salt on top of caramel, depending on how salt you like it 1 ½ Teaspoons to 1 Tablespoon of fleur de sel.

    spatula spreading caramel on top of shortbread
    sea salt container over caramel shortbread

    To make the chocolate topping chop chocolate into small pieces. You can use a bain marie or microwave to melt the chocolate. To create a bain marie place a small pot filled with a small amount of water topped with a heat proof bowl with chocolate- make sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water. Let the steam of the simmering water melt the chocolate.

    If microwaving melt on 50% power for 15 second increments, mixing in between. Which ever method you use be careful not to overheat, once chocolate burns there is no going back.

    chocolate chopped up in a small glass bowl
    melted chocolate in a small glass bowl

    Once the chocolate is melted add finely chopped chocolate to help temper the chocolate. If you are not confident in tempering chocolate you can melt all the chocolate together with the coconut oil.  Mix for a few minutes or until all chocolate is melted. Pour on top of the caramel layer and spread to create an even layer.

    chopped chocolate added to melted chocolate in a glass bowl
    spatula spreading chocolate over caramel

    Sprinkle another teaspoon or two of sea salt on top and set aside to set for 1 hour. You can place them in the fridge for 15 minutes to speed up the process.

    chocolate spread over caramel for a millionaires shortbread recipe

    To ensure success I highly recommend using an instant-read thermometer. I get SOOO much use out of my Thermapen Mk4 (affiliate link). From cooking filet mignon, tempering chocolate, roast turkey, making caramel, and more!

    salted millionaires shortbread stacked on a white surface

    Not to mention this Salted Millionaire's Shortbread Recipe is a perfect Christmas treat for friends and family! The recipe makes lots of little bars, by all means, eat them all yourself just be prepared for a sugar coma!!

    Another recipe perfect for Christmas time and homemade gifts is this Amaretti Cookie Recipe.

    ★★★★★ Please let me know if you make this recipe by leaving a star rating and comment below!

    Make sure to join our Newsletter and follow us on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

    Print

    Recipe Card

    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    four pieces of salted millionaires shortbread

    Salted Millionaire’s Shortbread

    ★★★★★

    4.8 from 5 reviews

    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Buttery Shortbread Crust, topped with Salted Caramel,  finished with chocolate and sprinkle of sea salt, this Salted Millionaire's Shortbread Recipe is the Best! 

    • Total Time: 1 Hour 55 Minutes
    • Yield: 16-25 Bars 1x

    Ingredients

    Units Scale

    Shortbread Crust

    • 1 ½ Scant Cups All-Purpose Flour/ Plain Flour
    • ¼ cup Granulated Sugar
    • Pinch of Salt
    • 8 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, melted

    Caramel Layer

    • 7oz Sweetened Condensed Milk
    • ½ cup Brown sugar
    • ¼ cup Heavy Cream
    • ¼ cup Light Corn Syrup
    • 4 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
    • 1 Teaspoon Sea Salt

    Chocolate Layer

    • 5.5oz (1 Scant Cup) Semi-Sweet Chocolate (4 oz chopped fine, 1.5 oz grated)
    • 1 Teaspoon Coconut Oil*
    • Sea Salt for sprinkling on top of bars

    Instructions

    Shortbread Crust

    1. Preheat oven to 350F/180C and line a 9X9" pan with foil so the foil overhangs.
    2. In a large bowl mix together the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the melted butter and stir gently until fully combined, the crumbs will be moist. Press the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan. Use your clean hand to press the dough down to create an even layer, then use a fork to prick the dough every inch.
    3. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-23 minutes, until lightly golden brown.  Let pan cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes.

    Caramel Filling

    1. In a large heavy bottom, pan add the sweetened condensed milk, brown sugar, heavy cream, corn syrup, and unsalted butter. Over medium heat stirring often until mixture registers to 236F/113C to 240F/115C degrees*(see note). This will take about 15- 20 minutes of stirring.
    2. Once the temperature is reached take the pot off the heat. Carefully pour the caramel over the shortbread crust and sprinkle with sea salt.

    Chocolate Topping

    1. Using a double boiler or microwave melt the first 4 oz of chocolate being careful not to burn, then add the grated chocolate to the melted chocolate. Mixing until everything is melted. If you are not confident in tempering chocolate you can melt all the chocolate together with the coconut oil. 
    2. Spread chocolate over the caramel layer and sprinkle with sea salt. Place the pan in the fridge for 1t minutes and then let set on the counter for an hour to set completely. Cut into bars and store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

    Equipment

    thermapen mk4

    Thermapen Mk4

    Buy Now →
    9 inch square pan

    9-inch square pan

    Buy Now →
    oxo food scale

    OXO Kitchen Scale

    Buy Now →

    Notes

    *I highly suggest using an instant-read thermometer to ensure success my favorite is my Thermapen Mk4

    • Author: Elizabeth Waterson I Confessions of a Baking Queen
    • Prep Time: 20
    • Cook Time: 45
    • Category: Dessert
    • Method: Bake
    • Cuisine: English

    Keywords: twix recipe, british recipes, millionaires shortbread

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @confessionsofabakingqueen on Instagram and hashtag it #cbqbakes

    Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes

    Recipe Slightly Adapted from : Cooks Illustrated

    Post originally published on November 6, 2016, the text and photos have been updated

    🍴 More salted caramel recipes

    Salted Caramel Creme Brulee

    salted caramel creme brulee with a few bites taken out next to a bowl of berries

    Salted Caramel Chocolate Cake

    salted caramel chocolate cake recipe
    « Dulce de Leche Napoleon (Mille Feuille)
    Coffee Layer Cake »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Did you make this recipe? Have a question? Let me know here! Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. [email protected] says

      November 07, 2016 at 3:11 pm

      I'm pretty sure I would have ZERO self control around these bars! Between the shortbread, caramel, chocolate and salt??? Sounds amazing!

      Reply
    2. Lynne says

      May 23, 2018 at 10:09 pm

      Upping the game turns regular shortbread into a delectable chewy caramel chocolate decadent treat.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    3. Lou Ann Schafer says

      October 16, 2020 at 7:01 pm

      I made this tonight. Not too sure about the shortbread layer. I haven't cut it yet but it seemed too crumbly to me to bake to a solid base. We'll see how it turns out in about an hour.

      ★★★★

      Reply
      • Elizabeth Waterson says

        October 18, 2020 at 5:02 pm

        Hi Lou Ann, thanks for reaching out. I hope the bars turned out well for you!!! XX Liz

        Reply
    4. Monica Lazar says

      December 23, 2020 at 11:32 am

      One of the best cakes I’ve ever made, I love it! Thank you for the recipe!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Elizabeth Waterson says

        December 24, 2020 at 8:48 am

        Thank you so much for coming back to review the recipe Monica, I truly appreciate it!! I just made a double batch of these yesterday, they really are the best! I hope you have a lovely Christmas. XX Liz

        Reply
        • Monica Lazar says

          December 28, 2020 at 2:05 am

          Thank you so much for your wishes!
          I wish you a Happy New Year and all the best for 2021!
          I’ m going to bake the shortbread again for New Year’s Eve.

          Reply
          • Elizabeth Waterson says

            December 28, 2020 at 10:59 am

            Aww, thanks so much, Monica! Hope you have a lovely New Years!! XX Liz

            Reply
    5. Michelle says

      May 30, 2021 at 9:57 am

      These were so good! Made twice because I definitely messed something up the first time but once I got it right, they were delicious!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Elizabeth Waterson says

        May 31, 2021 at 12:30 pm

        These are a bit trickier but totally worth the practice round IMO!!! So glad you enjoyed them!! XX Liz

        Reply
    6. Jackie says

      November 27, 2021 at 10:17 pm

      These bars are the best! It’s impossible to just have one! Thank you for this recipe!!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Elizabeth Waterson says

        November 29, 2021 at 6:17 pm

        Haha, I totally agree, so impossible!! They are the best! Thank you for the 5-star review Jackie! XX Liz

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    four pieces of salted millionaires shortbread
    Waterson, Elizabeth Cropped Size Photo CAke copy 2

    Hiya! I am Elizabeth Waterson, welcome to my treat-filled site. After spending 15 years in the restaurant industry and growing up baking, I wanted to share my love of baking with you all. My step-by-step tutorials will help you learn how to bake at home. Confessions of a Baking Queen (CBQ) has been featured in CBS LA, HuffPost Taste, BuzzFeed, Taste of Home, and more! Here you will find loads of sweet recipes with a few savory ones for good measure. Feel free to message me with any questions! Happy Baking! 

    More about me →

    Popular

    • easter cake decorated with jelly beans on a white plate on a light surface with a checkered linen
      Easter Cake
    • key lime curd in a small white bowl on a light surface with cut up key limes
      Key Lime Curd
    • Cheesecake stuffed strawberries arranged on a plate.
      Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries
    • lemon creme brulee wtih berries and a lemon twirl on a white surface with a blue linen
      Lemon Creme Brûlée
    • Carrot Pineapple Banana Loaf Cake
    • close up of roasted carrots on white and brown speckled plate on a grey surface with a navy blue linen
      Roasted Carrots
    • close up of lemon cheesecake with raspberry coulis dripping down on a black plate on a marble surface
      Lemon Cheesecake
    • slices of lemon loaf cake on a white speckled plate on top of a blue stripped linen on a light pink surface
      Easy Lemon Loaf Cake
    • up close of cauliflower cheese on a plate on a larger plate on a light grey surface
      Cauliflower Cheese
    • close up of lemon crumb bars on a wire rack on a light pink surface
      Lemon Crumb Bars
    • lemon crinkle cookie against a stack of cookies
      Lemon Crinkle Cookies
    • half eaten lemon poppy seed muffin in a white bowl
      Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

    Featured

    featured in confessions of a baking queen

    Footer

    four pieces of salted millionaires shortbread

    Join the CBQ Community

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Join our Community on Social Media
    • Instagram, Facebook & Pinterest

    Check Out Google Web Stories

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About Elizabeth
    • Contact

    Resources

    • The Best Baking Tools
    • Recipes with Video
    • Cheesecake Recipes
    • Brownie Recipes
    • Cake Recipes
    • Shop My Favorite Products & Tools

    ↑ back to top

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for supporting Confessions of a Baking Queen.

    Copyright © 2023 Confessions of a Baking Queen

    • 3
    3.0K shares