Billionaire Shortbread Cookie Bars

two pieces of billionaires shortbread on top of each other with caramel dripping down

4.48 from 19 votes

Billionaire Shortbread Cookie Bars

This popular shortbread dessert is in a league of its own with a salted caramel layer sandwiched between a shortbread base and dark chocolate topping.

Course Dessert

Cuisine Baking

Keyword billionaire shortbread, caramel shortbread, shortbread recipe

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 40

Total Time 1 10

Servings Servings

Calories 836

Author Erren Hart

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

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

For the shortbread

Preheat the oven to 350F/160C.
Grease a 9x13 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.

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.

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