Millionaire Shortbread

Enjoy a slice of rich, decadent Millionaire Shortbread, also known as Caramel Squares or homemade Twix Bars! This dessert contains three layers of sweetness, including buttery shortbread, gooey caramel filling, and smooth milk chocolate, just like a Twix Bar, but better! Treat yourself to a caramel square any time you want a sweet, indulgent treat!

While this recipe tastes like a million bucks, there aren’t any fancy ingredients involved. You should have most, if not all, of these ingredients in your pantry. It does require some time for the caramel layer to firm up, but overall, this is an easy recipe anyone can make!

Tips for Making Millionaire’s Shortbread

This recipe is pretty simple, but there are a few things you can think of ahead of time so that your Twix Bars come out exactly the way you want them. Consider these helpful tips:

• Line your pan with parchment paper, and make sure to let it overhang the sides so you can easily lift out the finished shortbread bars.
• Use room-temperature butter for the shortbread layer.
• When making the caramel layer, make sure to stir constantly to keep it from burning.
• It is easiest to cut the bars cleanly if the finished bars are chilled first.
• Make smooth, even cuts by running a sharp knife under hot water, then drying it off before slicing. Clean the knife in between cuts.

Ingredients for Millionaire Bars

Here’s what you’ll need for the different parts of the recipe:

Shortbread Base

• ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup granulated sugar

Caramel Ingredients

• ½ cup butter
• ½ cup light brown sugar
• ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup

Chocolate Topping

• 1 1/4 cups milk chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon butter

How to Make this Millionaire Shortbread Recipe

Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and prepare a 9×9 baking pan with parchment paper.

Shortbread: In a medium bowl, mix the butter, flour, and sugar until combined. It will be a bit crumbly. Press the shortbread mixture gently into the prepared pan. Use your hands or the bottom of a glass to help create a smooth, even layer. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Allow the crust to cool for about 10 minutes before adding the caramel.

It’s important to let each layer cool so the ingredients don’t run together.

Caramel Layer: In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, sweetened condensed milk, and corn syrup and bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil for 5 minutes.

Immediately remove from heat and beat vigorously with a wooden spoon for 3 minutes. Pour the caramel over the slightly cooled crust and spread evenly. Allow to firm up at room temperature for at least 3 hours.

Chocolate Topping: In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips and butter in the microwave in increments of 30 seconds, stirring in between, until completely smooth and melted. Pour the melted chocolate over the caramel and cover completely. 

Chill: Place the caramel squares into the refrigerator to chill and set for at least 30 minutes. Then remove the caramel shortbread from the pan using the parchment paper and cut it into even slices with a sharp knife run under hot water. Clean the knife in between cuts for the best results.

Recipe Variations

• You can use dark chocolate chips if you prefer.
• Sprinkle the chocolate layer with flaky sea salt to enhance the flavors. Or sprinkle crushed candy or pretzel pieces on top for extra crunch!

FAQs

Give Millionaire Shortbread as a Gift

These bars are perfect on a holiday cookie tray, or you can wrap them individually and place them in a cute box as a homemade gift. I bet your neighbors would love a homemade shortbread bar this holiday season!

Do I need to use a candy thermometer for the caramel?

While a thermometer can be helpful, it isn’t required for this recipe. Simmer the ingredients until the caramel has thickened and is golden brown.

How do I store Homemade Twix Bars?

This shortbread does not need to be refrigerated. Keep it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days!

Can I freeze Millionaire Shortbread?

Yes, these shortbread bars freeze well! Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, then a layer of aluminum foil before freezing. Or slice them and wrap and freeze them individually in a freezer bag. 

Make sure to thaw them completely at room temperature before serving so they soften up.

Looking for more delicious desserts?

I love baking, and if you do too, you might want to try one of these delicious recipes for dessert next time you bake:

• These Mint Espresso Brownies combine two of my favorite flavors with mint chocolate and coffee!
• Make Chocolate Crunch Bars with Bourbon Caramel Sauce and serve them warm with a glass of milk or cold with a scoop of ice cream on top. Delicious!
• Celebrate the flavors of summer with these sweet, crispy Strawberry Rhubarb Oatmeal Bars!
• These delicious Mixed Berry Pie Bars combine your favorite fresh berries with a buttery crust and crumble. It’s all the flavor of a pie without the hassle of making a pie crust!

This recipe has been adapted from AllRecipes.com.

This post was originally published January 8, 2013. The recipe and post has been updated on October 19, 2023.