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This chewy Millionaireโs Shortbread is the best dessert to satisfy your sweet and salty cravings! A buttery shortbread base is topped with a layer of Rice Krispie caramel followed by a rich chocolate topping and a sprinkle of sea salt.

Easy Millionaireโs Shortbread Recipe
Iโve been wanting to make these for quite some time now. I love caramel, and these bars are like wrapping caramel up in a beautiful, semi-baked sweet and salty package. I could not be happier with the results!
The shortbread is very easy to put together. Just a few ingredients are combined in a food processor and pressed into a pan. It only needs to bake for 15 minutes, then the rest of the recipe is completely oven-free!
The caramel layer is made using my favorite store-bought caramels. Homemade caramel isnโt hard to make, but in the interest of keeping this recipe as simple as can be, I like to defer to my favorite brand. Plus, caramel sauce wonโt firm up the same way.
I put my own twist on millionaireโs shortbread by adding Rice Krispies to the caramel layer to give it a little crunch. I dig variation in texture and that totally achieved it! The added crunch brought these already-heavenly treats to a whole new level.
The silky chocolate topping compliments the shortbread and the crunchy caramel perfectly. With a sprinkle of sea salt to top it all off, an irresistible sweet and salty treat is born!
Why is it Called Millionaireโs Shortbread?
Well, no one really knows for sure. I think itโs because these bars are so yummy, each bite makes you feel like a million bucks! But it could also have something to do with how rich and indulgent they are.
Recipe Ingredients
Despite how luxurious these bars are, the ingredients you need for them are simple! Hereโs the roster for each component:
For the Shortbread Layer
- Flour: Youโll Need 1 cup.
- Sugar: For both sweetness and chewiness.
- Butter: Diced.
- Vanilla Extract: Use a high-quality extract for the best results.
For the Caramel Layer
- Milk: Whatever kind you have on hand will do.
- Butter: Youโll need 1/4 cup.
- Kraft Caramels: Wrappers removed.
- Rice Krispies Cereal: To add that satisfying crunch.
For the Chocolate Topping
- Chocolate Chips: I use semi-sweet.
- Heavy Cream: Just a few tablespoons!
- Sea Salt: For sprinkling on top.
How to Make Millionaireโs Shortbread
These cookie bars come together with ease. Just follow the detailed instructions below and watch these tasty treats come to life!
Make the Shortbread Base
- Prep for Baking: Preheat the oven to 350ยฐF. Line a 9ร9-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving some sticking above the sides of the pan to lift the bars out later.
- Make Dough: Add the flour, sugar, butter and vanilla to a food processor and pulse until it comes together and forms a ball.
- Add to Pan: Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the pan.
- Bake: Bake the shortbread for 15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned.
- Let Cool: Remove the pan from the oven and set it aside so the shortbread can cool.
Make the Caramel Layer
- Heat Milk, Butter & Caramels: Put the milk, butter and caramels into a large pot over medium heat. Allow everything to melt, stirring often so that the mixture doesnโt boil.
- Add Rice Krispies: Add the Rice Krispies and mix until incorporated.
- Pour Over Shortbread: Pour the caramel mixture evenly over the cooled shortbread. Set the pan aside.
Make the Chocolate Topping
- Melt Cream & Chocolate: Heat the heavy cream and chocolate chips in the microwave for 30 second increments, stirring between each one, until the mixture is melted.
- Pour Over Caramel: Pour the chocolate evenly over the caramel layer.
- Let Cool: Allow the bars to cool completely.
- Remove From Pan & Cut: Lift the bars out of the pan using the excess parchment paper and cut them into squares.
- Enjoy! Serve millionaireโs shortbread cold or at room temperature.
Tips for Success
Want to make sure your caramel bars are fit for a millionaire? These tips and tricks will help you get them just right.
- Leave Enough Overhanging Parchment Paper: Nobody wants their fresh batch of cookie bars to get stuck inside the pan! Be sure to leave plenty of extra parchment paper on both sides so you can lift the bars out with ease.
- Donโt Boil the Caramel Mixture: Stir your caramel mixture frequently so that it doesnโt come to a boil. If it does boil, it may burn and take on a bitter flavor.
- Let the Bars Cool in the Fridge: You can cool these bars in the fridge rather than letting them cool on the counter to save time, if desired.
- Cool Completely for Easy Cutting: If your bars are cooled to room temperature or chilled, youโll be able to cut them so much easier. They taste great cold too, so donโt be afraid to enjoy one straight from the fridge!
How to Store Leftovers
You can refrigerate these bars or store them at room temperature โ up to you โ as long as theyโre kept in an airtight container. I personally prefer them cold because theyโre firmer, but both ways are delicious! Be sure to enjoy your bars within 1 week unless you decide to store them in the freezer.
Can I Freeze These?
Yes! Frozen millionaireโs shortbread will last for up to 3 months. Place your cooled bars into a freezer-safe container and freeze. Thaw them out in the fridge before digging in.
More Caramel Desserts to Try
If youโre a caramel addict like me, you will adore the decadent treats below. Donโt forget to check them out next!
- Soft and Chewy Caramel Clusters
- Caramel Rolo Rice Krispie Treats
- Soft Homemade Caramels
- Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Bars
- Pecan Caramel Turtle Candy Bars
Millionaireโs Shortbread (Caramel Shortbread Bars)
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 10
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Description
This chewy Millionaireโs Shortbread is the best dessert to satisfy your sweet and salty cravings! A buttery shortbread base is topped with a layer of Rice Krispie caramel followed by a rich chocolate topping and a sprinkle of sea salt.
Ingredients
For the Shortbread Layer
- 1 cup flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 6 tbsp butter, diced
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
For the Caramel Layer
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 11 oz bag Kraft Caramels, wrappers removed
- 2 cups Rice Krispies cereal
For the Chocolate Topping
- 8 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3 tbsp heavy cream
- sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Line a 9ร9 pan with parchment paper, leaving some sticking above the sides of the pan to lift the bars out later.
- Add flour, sugar, butter and vanilla to a food processor and pulse until it comes together and forms a ball.
- Press dough evenly into the bottom of the pan.
- Bake for 15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned.
- Remove from oven and set aside to cool.
- Put milk, butter and caramels into a large pot on medium heat. Allow everything to melt, stirring often so that the mixture doesnโt boil.
- Add the rice krispies and mix until incorporated.
- Pour caramel mixture evenly over shortbread. Set pan aside.
- Heat heavy cream and chocolate chips in the microwave at 30 second increments, stirring between increments, until melted.
- Pour chocolate evenly over caramel layer.
- Allow bars to cool. You can put them in the refrigerator to cool more quickly.
- Lift bars out of the pan and cut into squares. Itโs easier to cut them if they are cold.
- Serve bars cold or at room temperature.
Notes
Makes 9-12 bars.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Bar
- Calories: 368
- Sugar: 33 g
- Sodium: 290.8 mg
- Fat: 18.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 48.5 g
- Protein: 4.4 g
- Cholesterol: 29.8 mg
O My Gosh, these are incredible! I was a little concerned about making these, I only had the caramel bits instead of that wrapped caramels, so I just cooked them on low o melt them. I didnโt have my food processor, so I just used my manual pastry blender tool, and then squeezed all of the shortbread trying to make it into a ball which didnโt work well good, and pressed down on it with my finger tips really good. It all turned out incredibly good! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe, it is definitely a keeper! The family went wild over them! I directed them to your website, which is my go to site for dessert recipes!
Wonderful! So glad you enjoyed them!
I have a ton of caramel chips and wanted your opinion on using these in this recipe instead of the wrapped caramels. Iโm not much of a baker and would love your thoughts!!
I have played around with the caramel bits versus the wrapped caramels and in my opinion they donโt have the same texture and such when melted. Iโd probably go with the wrapped caramels to avoid it not working out, but you could try it if you wanted to use the chips up.
These are very tasty but the Rice Krispies got soggy. What happened? Does the caramel need to cool before adding the krispies orโฆ
How much caramel sauce would you need if you made your own for this instead of using the wrapped caramels? Your recipes are amazing!!
Iโm not sure. Keep in mind though that if you make your own, it needs to be firm at room temperature, like the candies.
Just on the hunt for something sweet to add to this weekendโs church picnic. Thanks!