Hey there, fellow dessert dreamers! If you’re looking to bring a touch of luxury to your dessert table without much fuss, let me introduce you to the delightful Millionaire Shortbread Bars. These bars are the perfect blend of crunchy, creamy, and chocolatey goodness that will have you swooning with every bite. They’re easy to make, require no baking, and the best part? You probably already have most of the ingredients in your pantry! Let’s dive into this simple yet indulgent recipe and create a treat that’ll impress everyone from your family to your friends.
Why You’ll Love This Millionaire Shortbread Bars Recipe
There are countless reasons to fall in love with Millionaire Shortbread Bars, and here are just a few of them:
- No-Bake Convenience: You don’t have to worry about heating up your oven, which makes this treat perfect for warm days or when you simply want a quick dessert fix.
- Divine Layers: With a buttery biscuit base, a luscious caramel layer, and a rich chocolate topping, each bite is an explosion of textures and flavors.
- Easily Customizable: This recipe is versatile enough to cater to your preferences. Add a sprinkle of sea salt on top, or even a dash of espresso to the caramel for a sophisticated twist!
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you’re hosting friends for a casual movie night, bringing a dish to a potluck, or craving a bit of sweetness for yourself, these bars fit every scenario.
- Quick Prep Time: The preparation itself takes minimal time, making it an excellent option for busy bakers. Plus, with a bit of patience during chilling, you’ll achieve a dessert that tastes gourmet.
Step-by-Step: Making Millionaire Shortbread Bars
Let’s roll up our sleeves and transform simple ingredients into these crowd-pleasing bars!
Ingredients:
- 200g digestive biscuits
- 100g unsalted butter, melted
- 397g sweetened condensed milk
- 100g light brown sugar
- 150g dark chocolate, chopped
- 50g milk chocolate, chopped
Directions:
- Prepare Your Dish: Begin by lining an 8×8 inch (20×20 cm) square baking dish with parchment paper. This will make it super easy to remove your delicious bars later.
- Make the Biscuit Base: Crush the digestive biscuits into fine crumbs. You can use a food processor for this or just place the biscuits in a ziplock bag and crush them with a rolling pin. Mix the crumbs with the melted butter until well combined. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of your prepared baking dish to form a solid shortbread layer.
- Cook the Caramel: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the sweetened condensed milk and light brown sugar. Stir continuously until the mixture thickens, which should take about 8 to 10 minutes. Be patient and keep stirring to avoid burning. Once thickened, pour this luscious caramel over the shortbread base and spread it evenly.
- Melt the Chocolate: In a bowl, melt the dark and milk chocolate together using the microwave or a bowl set over simmering water. Stir until smooth and then pour it over the caramel layer, spreading it evenly.
- Chill Your Treat: Refrigerate your masterpiece for at least 2 hours before cutting it into bars. This allows all the layers to set perfectly. Once chilled, cut them into squares and get ready to indulge!
Best Ways to Serve Millionaire Shortbread Bars
When it’s time to serve your Millionaire Shortbread Bars, there are a few ideas to make it special:
- Create a Dessert Platter: Arrange these bars alongside fresh fruits like berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a stunning dessert platter.
- Add a Drizzle: A drizzle of dark chocolate or caramel sauce over the top adds a further touch of elegance.
- Pair with Coffee or Tea: Enjoy these bars with a cup of your favorite coffee or tea. The rich flavors contrast beautifully with a warm beverage.
Storage Tips for Millionaire Shortbread Bars
To keep your Millionaire Shortbread Bars fresh and delicious, follow these storage tips:
- Keep Refrigerated: Store your bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This keeps the caramel layer soft and prevents the chocolate from melting.
- Freezing Option: If you want to make these bars ahead of time, you can freeze them! Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and then place them in a container or freezer bag. They can be stored for up to three months. Thaw them in the fridge before serving.
Expert Tips for Perfect Millionaire Shortbread Bars
- Quality Ingredients: Use good quality chocolate and sweetened condensed milk for the best flavor.
- Chill Time: Don’t rush the chilling process. This step ensures that all the layers hold well when you cut into them.
- Variations: Feel free to experiment by adding nuts, dried fruits, or flavored extracts to the layers for extra depth of flavor.
Creative Twists on Millionaire Shortbread Bars
If you’re feeling adventurous, here are some variations to try:
- Nutty Delight: Add chopped nuts, like almonds or pecans, to the biscuit base for an added crunch.
- Salted Caramel: Before pouring the melted chocolate on top, sprinkle a little sea salt over the caramel layer for a delicious salted caramel flavor.
- Flavor Infusion: Mix a teaspoon of instant coffee into the melted chocolate for a mocha-flavored treat.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different type of biscuit?
Absolutely! While digestive biscuits are traditional, you can swap them for graham crackers, shortbread, or even homemade cookie crumbs.
2. How long do these bars last?
When stored properly in the refrigerator, Millionaire Shortbread Bars can last up to a week, and they can be frozen for up to three months.
3. Can I make these bars vegan?
Yes! You can use vegan butter and coconut condensed milk to make a plant-based version of these delicious bars.
There you have it! You’re all set to create your batch of Millionaire Shortbread Bars. I hope you find as much joy in making and sharing this treat as I do. Let’s create something wonderful together in the kitchen!
Print
Easy Millionaire Shortbread Bars
- Total Time: 130 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in these delightful no-bake Millionaire Shortbread Bars with a buttery biscuit base, luscious caramel layer, and rich chocolate topping.
Ingredients
- 200g digestive biscuits
- 100g unsalted butter, melted
- 397g sweetened condensed milk
- 100g light brown sugar
- 150g dark chocolate, chopped
- 50g milk chocolate, chopped
Instructions
- Line an 8×8 inch (20×20 cm) square baking dish with parchment paper.
- Crush the digestive biscuits into fine crumbs. Mix with melted butter and press into the bottom of the baking dish to form a solid layer.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine sweetened condensed milk and light brown sugar. Stir continuously for 8 to 10 minutes until thickened. Pour over the shortbread base.
- Melt the dark and milk chocolate together and pour over the caramel layer, spreading evenly.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting into bars.
Notes
Add a sprinkle of sea salt or a dash of espresso to customize the caramel layer.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg