Millionaire Shortbread

Total Time Prep: 40 min. + chilling. Bake: 20 min. + cooling
Yield 2 dozen
Test Kitchen Approved
Crisp shortbread meets gooey caramel and a layer of chocolate in these decadent, crowd-favorite millionaire bars.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • CARAMEL FILLING:
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, cubed
  • 1/4 cup light corn syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
  • TOPPING:
  • 1-1/2 cups 60% cacao bittersweet chocolate baking chips
  • 2/3 cup heavy whipping cream
  • Flaked sea salt, optional

Directions

  1. Line a 13x9-in. pan with parchment, letting ends extend up sides. In a large bowl, cream butter, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in egg yolk. In another bowl, whisk flour and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture.
  2. Spread into prepared pan (dough will be sticky). Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake until edges are lightly browned and center is dry, 20-25 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.
  3. Meanwhile, in a large heavy saucepan, combine first five caramel filling ingredients. Cook over medium heat until butter has melted; add sweetened condensed milk. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to maintain a low boil; cook and stir until mixture is amber colored and reaches 225°, 20-25 minutes. Remove from heat; quickly pour over cooled crust. Let cool 15 minutes; refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.
  4. For ganache topping, place chocolate in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. Pour over chocolate; let stand 5 minutes. Stir with a whisk until smooth. Pour over caramel layer. If desired, sprinkle with sea salt. Refrigerate until set, at least 2 hours. Lifting with parchment, remove shortbread from pan. Cut into bars. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts

1 bar: 351 calories, 21g fat (13g saturated fat), 53mg cholesterol, 103mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (32g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.

This three-in-one bar brings together the delectable flavors of buttery shortbread, sweet caramel and rich chocolate for a treat worth a million bucks. Cut it easily into any size bar you wish. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Recipe Creator

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