Millionaire Bars

By Becky Hardin

Published Dec 15, 2022

I never get tired of these classic Millionaire Bars, made with three layers of pure bliss! A shortbread cookie layer is topped with sweet homemade caramel, then a thick layer of smooth chocolate is spread right across the very top. It’s hard to say which part of these millionaire shortbread bars is my favorite because they’re all pretty perfect!

a bitten millionaire bar stacked on top of 3 millionaire bars. - 5

This recipe for Millionaire bars always comes in handy around the holidays, because it’s an easy party dessert and it makes for a simple gift too. All it takes to make this recipe is some basic baking ingredients plus a few easy steps. I love to package up a few bars to hand out to neighbors. This dessert always brings some cheer!

Ingredients for Millionaire Shortbread Bars

Butter: Use unsalted butter for the shortbread and caramel layers. You’ll need about 4 sticks total.
Sugar: A mix of brown sugar and granulated sugar adds the perfect, rich sweetness to the cookie bar layers.
Flour: Use all-purpose flour for the shortbread .
Vanilla Extract : This adds just the right hint of flavor to the layers.
Sweetened Condensed Milk: This thick, sweetened milk works best for making caramel .
Corn Syrup: This helps create the perfect texture for the caramel layer–soft, chewy, and not too sticky.
Chocolate Chips: Milk, semisweet, or dark chocolate chips are all fine to use.
Coconut Oil: This helps create a smooth chocolate texture that’s easy to pour and spread, and helps it to harden properly on top of the bars.

close up view of cut millionaire bars, two turned on their sides. - 6

Tips for Success

Line your baking dish with parchment paper so that it’s easy to lift and remove the millionaire bars once they’ve finished setting.
Measure your flour using the spoon-and-level method to avoid dense, dry shortbread.
Take care not to boil the caramel filling; otherwise, it may set too hard. And stir it constantly to prevent it from scorching.

How to Store and Reheat

Store millionaire bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Enjoy cold or at room temperature.

Freeze in a single layer on a lined baking sheet until solid, about 1-2 hours. Transfer to an airtight container or Ziplock bag to store for up to 3 months. Let thaw at room temperature before enjoying.

4 stacked millionaire shortbread bars. - 7

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For the Shortbread Layer

▢ 1 cup unsalted butter 226 grams, room temperature (2 sticks)
▢ ¼ cup granulated sugar 50 grams
▢ ½ cup brown sugar 107 grams
▢ ½ teaspoon kosher salt
▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 4 grams
▢ 2 cups all-purpose flour 240 grams

For the Caramel Layer

▢ 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk 396 grams (1 can)
▢ ¾ cup unsalted butter 170 grams (1½ sticks)
▢ ¾ cup brown sugar 160 grams
▢ ¼ cup corn syrup 78 grams
▢ ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 grams
▢ ½ teaspoon kosher salt

For the Chocolate Layer

▢ 3 cups chocolate chips 510 grams
▢ 3 tablespoons coconut oil 42 grams

Video

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a large bowl, using a hand mixer, cream the butter and sugars together. 1 cup unsalted butter, ¼ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup brown sugar
Add in the salt and vanilla extract and beat until incorporated. ½ teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add in the flour, little by little, beating after each addition. Mix until the dough comes together, being careful not to overmix. 2 cups all-purpose flour
Press the dough into the bottom of the pan.
Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown. Let cool.
While the crust is cooling, add the sweetened condensed milk, unsalted butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, vanilla extract, and salt to a saucepan. Stir over medium-high heat. Once the mixture begins to bubble, reduce the heat to a simmer. Continue stirring for 5-10 minutes until the mixture has thickened. 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk, ¾ cup unsalted butter, ¾ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup corn syrup, ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Pour the caramel over the cooled shortbread layer.
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the caramel set.
Place the chocolate chips and coconut oil in microwave safe bowl. Microwave the chocolate in 30 second increments. Stir until melted and smooth. Allow chocolate to cool for a few minutes. 3 cups chocolate chips, 3 tablespoons coconut oil
Pour the chocolate over the caramel layer and spread it out in an even layer. Return the bars to the refrigerator or freezer until the chocolate hardens.

Equipment

Kitchen Scale (optional)
9×9-inch Baking Pan
Hand Mixer

Becky’s Tips

Try switching up the chocolate. You can use milk, semisweet, dark, or white chocolate!
Stir chocolate chips or crushed pretzels into the shortbread dough.
Sprinkle Reese’s Pieces, chopped peanut butter cups or Rolos, toffee chips, or mini M&M’s over top before the chocolate sets.
Line your baking dish for easy removal.
Measure your flour using the spoon-and-level method to avoid dense, dry cookies.
Take care not to boil the caramel filling; otherwise, it may set too hard.
Stir the caramel constantly to prevent it from scorching.

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

How to Make Millionaire Bars Step by Step

Prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F, then line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set it aside.

Make the Shortbread Layer: In a large bowl, using a hand mixer, cream 1 cup of unsalted butter, ¼ cup of granulated sugar, and ½ cup of brown sugar. Then add in ½ teaspoon of kosher salt and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and beat until incorporated. Next, add in 2 cups of all-purpose flour, little by little, beating after each addition. Mix until the dough comes together, but be careful not to over-mix it.

Bake and Cool: Press the cookie dough into the bottom of the prepared pan, and bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown. Then let it cool.

shortbread dough pressed into a square baking pan. - 9

Make the Caramel: While the cookie layer is cooling; add 14 ounces of sweetened condensed milk, ¾ cup of unsalted butter, ¾ cup of brown sugar, ¼ cup of corn syrup, ½ teaspoon of pure vanilla extract, and ½ teaspoon of kosher salt to a saucepan. Stir over medium-high heat. Once the mixture begins to bubble, reduce the heat to a simmer, and continue stirring for 5-10 minutes until the mixture has thickened.

Pour and Set: Pour the caramel over the cooled shortbread layer. Then refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the caramel set.

caramel spread over shortbread in a square baking pan. - 11

Make the Chocolate Layer: Place 3 cups of chocolate chips and 3 tablespoons of coconut oil in microwave safe bowl. Microwave the chocolate in 30 second increments, stirring until melted and smooth. Allow the chocolate to cool for a few minutes, then pour it on top of the caramel layer.

chocolate poured over millionaire bars in a square baking pan. - 12

Set the Chocolate: Spread the chocolate out in an even layer. Then return the bars to the refrigerator or freezer until the chocolate hardens.

millionaire bars in a square baking pan. - 13

Cut and Serve: Once the Millionaire bars have fully set and hardened, lift them out of the dish using the parchment paper. Cut into squares and enjoy!

overhead view of cut millionaire bars. - 14

Millionaire bars (aka: millionaire shortbread) are thick, decadent bars made from layers of shortbread cookie, buttery caramel, and silky chocolate.

The name millionaire bars (or millionaire shortbread) comes from the fact that these bars are incredibly rich and decadent, just like a millionaire!

Twix candy bars are based on millionaire bars, but homemade is so much better!

Yes! The caramel will be runny when you first pour it on, so it needs time to set up before you add the chocolate. Otherwise, the chocolate will melt into the caramel, creating a muddy layer.

Absolutely! These bars will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months!

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SNICKERS COOKIE BARS! Snickers Shortbread Cookies made with caramel, chocolate, and peanuts! BEST CHRISTMAS COOKIE RECIPE EVER!! - 22

Millionaire Bars Recipe

Equipment

Kitchen Scale (optional)
9x9-inch Baking Pan
Hand Mixer