This recipe for Billionaire Shortbread cookie bars has a crisp shortbread base with a salted caramel filling, finished with dark chocolate.
A decadent bake that kids and adults will be asking for over and over. The perfect lunch box snack or after school treat.
If you love Millionaire shortbread than you have to try Billionaire shortbread! Once you try it, you’ll have to agree it’s one fantastic treat!
Before moving to England, I had never heard of Billionaire Shortbread (or millionaire shortbread for that matter), but after my first taste, I was won over, and it’s still one of my very favorite things in the world!
Why This Recipe Works
- This pleasing cookie bar is quick and easy to make, even for a first time baker.
- Adding salt to the caramel makes this a cut above the millionaire shortbread.
- The combination of a shortbread cookie base, salted caramel and dark semisweet chocolate is one that can’t be beat!
How To Make Billionaire Shortbread Cookie Bars
- Bake the shortbread base.
- Make the caramel.
- Pour the caramel onto the shortbread base.
- Melt the chocolate, pour this onto the caramel.
- Allow to Cool.
- Slice and serve!
Step By Step Instructions
Start with the shortbread base.
Make the caramel and pour it over the shortbread, leave to cool and set.
Melt the chocolate (for more information on how to properly melt chocolate, see my guide on How to Melt Chocolate).
Pour the chocolate over the caramel.
Leave to set completely before cutting.
Serve and enjoy every last bite.
Erren’s Top Tips
- Make sure the caramel has set otherwise you might end up with the chocolate and caramel mixing. It’s worth waiting to have the best end product.
- For a show stopping billionaire shortbread cookie bar, why not add crushed hard pretzels, toasted nuts or candied ginger to the chocolate topping.
Make ahead and Freezing Instructions
- At Room Temperature: This cookie bar can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.
- In The Fridge: Keep in the fridge in an airtight container for up to a week.
- In The Freezer: This billionaire shortbread is perfect for freezing. Wrap tightly in saran wrap and place in a freezer-safe container and put in the freezer for up to three months. Defrost thoroughly before eating.
FAQs
Millionaire shortbread has a caramel centre, billionaire shortbread has a decadent salted caramel centre.
Yes shortbread cookies and biscuits (even with caramel and chocolate) freeze perfectly. Just wrap tightly with plastic wrap and store in a freezer safe container for up to three months. Defrost thoroughly before consuming.
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Let’s Make Billionaire Shortbread Cookie Bars
Ingredients
For the shortbread:
- 2 cups butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1⁄2 cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste or pure vanilla extract
- 4⅔ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the caramel:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons golden syrup or light corn syrup
- ½ cup butter
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the topping:
- 12 ounces Dark Chocolate chopped
Instructions
For the shortbread
- Preheat the oven to 350F/160C.Grease a 9×13 inch pan.
- Using a food processor or mixer fitted with the paddle attachment beat the butter, sugar, vanilla and brown sugar vigorously until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. It’s an important step to beat the butter and sugar well together when making shortbread as this ensures the shortbread is light, crisp and will hold together.In a separate bowl, sift the flour and salt. Add it to the butter mixture and mix until blended (forming large clumps).
- Turn onto a floured surface and using floured hands, press evenly into the prepared pan (including the sides).
- Bake for 40 – 45 minutes, until lightly browned.
- Leave to cool completely in the pan.
For the caramel
- Combine the sugar and syrup in a medium saucepan. Cook on medium heat, stirring constantly until it becomes a light caramel color.
Add the butter, salt & milk stir until smooth. Remove from heat and mix in the vanilla. - Set aside to cool slightly, then pour over the cooled shortbread.Allow cooling completely.
For the topping
- Melt the chocolate melt chocolate in a microwaveable bowl for 30 seconds at a time (stirring in between) until the chocolate is smooth and fluid.Pour the melted chocolate over the caramel and set aside until the chocolate has cooled completely.
- Cut into squares and serve.
Tips + Notes
- Make sure the caramel has set otherwise you might end up with the chocolate and caramel mixing. It’s worth waiting to have the best end product.
- For a show stopping billionaire shortbread cookie bar, why not add crushed hard pretzels, toasted nuts or candied ginger to the chocolate topping.
Dorothy Reinhold says
I can’t decide what I love more…. The crust? The salted caramel? The chocolate?? YUM!
Jessica | Novice Chef says
WHAT?! This looks so good! I love anything that you give me with shortbread!
Erren says
Me too! ?
Michelle Verkade { A Latte Food } says
Oh my gosh, I am dying over that caramel! Chocolate, caramel (I loooove salted caramel!), and shortbread?! I don’t think it gets any better!
Melanie | Melanie Makes says
The addition of salted caramel is just genius!
Erren says
Thanks, Melanie!
brandidcrawfordgmailcom says
I’m drooling! Those photos are awesome. Going to bookmark to definitely try this out.
Erren says
Thanks so much! ?
Lucy @ Supergoldenbakes says
I’m not surprised you were won over on your first encounter with millionaire’s shortbread. You caramel look exceptional, bu the way.
Erren says
Thanks, Lucy! ?
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings says
This looks so delicious my stomach is rumbling now. Something about that chocolate and caramel combo is calling my name. I don’t think I’d be able to control myself around these!
insidetherustickitchen says
I love Billionaire’s shortbread but I’ve never made it before….thanks so much for the recipe!
Michelle Frank | Flipped-Out Food says
I am a huuuuuuge fan of shortbread AND salted caramel…AND chocolate. Put together? This might just be my favorite thing on the entire planet. I’m glad I don’t have to move to England to enjoy it—although a train ride in England does sound delightful. 😉
Stacey Mitchell says
I absolutely love millionaire’s shortbread but I’ve never tried billionaire’s shortbread! I’ll have to give this recipe a go, it looks delicious… 🙂
Erren says
Thank you, Stacey! It really is delicious! Hope you like it!
Judy keating says
Yes I am making this slice but 4 and 2/3 a cup of flour seems like too much and for the caramel is says milk in the ingredients part and cream in the method so I am just altering the recipe to what I think. I think these must have been a miss print.
Erren's Kitchen says
Hi your correct but the only typo there is is the size of the pan, it should be 9 by 13 pan not 9-inch square, but the measurements are correct for my recipe but I used a bigger pan. Thanks for letting me know