Millionaire Shortbread

Three simple but indulgent layers make this Millionaire Shortbread recipe a winner every time. Just 8 every day ingredients magically turn into a crispy shortbread base, soft and chewy caramel centre and a rich and thick layer of chocolate ganache.

If you adore caramel like I do, you’ll love these bars but you’ll also love these Carmelitas, Salted Caramel Brownie Bites or Homemade Caramels too.

Millionaire Shortbread Recipe

You’ll love biting through the soft and chewy top layers of this slice, then into that crisp, buttery base. It’s rich and indulgent in all the best ways but takes relatively little effort to make. It’s easy too, there’s nothing too technical here.

Ingredients in Millionaire Shortbread

One of the great things about this dessert is the simplicity of the ingredients and how, when they’re combined, they create something that tastes like a million bucks.

• Flour: Just regular all purpose flour
• Sugar: two types in this one – white (I prefer superfine but granulated will work) in the shortbread base and brown in the caramel.
• Butter: Use unsalted so you have control over the amount of salt you’d like to add.
• Salt: I use regular table salt for this and just a ½ teaspoon to balance it but you can easily make this a salted caramel by adding another ½ teaspoon.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: One tin is all you need and creates a gorgeous creamy flavour in the caramel filling.
• Chocolate: Use a semi-sweet or dark chocolate (50% cocao and above). Milk chocolate will definitely make these too sweet.
• Heavy cream: this is cream with a fat content of at least 35%. It goes with the chocolate to make a gorgeous, thick ganache on top.

How to Make Soft and Chewy Millionaire Shortbread

Here’s the easy steps to homemade millionaire shortbread!

The shortbread

1. Mix it: Beat together the butter and sugar until lightened and creamy. Don’t skimp on this step. Then add the flour and mix just until it starts clumping and you can’t see flour anymore.
2. Bake it: Press the dough into a lined 8 inch square tin very lightly then bake for 25 minutes or until the top is starting to turn golden.

The caramel

1. Cook on the stove: Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan over low-medium heat and stir until everything melts together. Let it come to a light bubble then keep stirring for another 6-7 minutes until thickens and comes away from the side of the pan as you stir (it should also take a few seconds to settle back again).
2. Bake: Pour the caramel over the baked shortbread base, smooth it out with a spatula, then bake again for a further 20 minutes until the top starts to turn golden in patches.

The chocolate ganache

1. Heat the cream: (Once the caramel has cooled for at least an hour) heat the cream, then mix with the chocolate to a smooth ganache.
2. Pour over the top: Pour it over the top of the caramel and place it back in the fridge to set.

Tips and Variations for The Best Millionaire Shortbread

• Shortbread dough: Only beat  the dough until small clumps start forming. You don’t want a ball of dough but rather clumping dough that you can scatter over your tin. Also don’t press it down to firmly in your tin. This way it remains crisp rather than turning hard and doughy once baked.
• Baking the base: You want it to be starting to colour before taking it out of the oven. This also helps to keep it crisp as opposed to firm.
• Salt: Add an extra ½ teaspoon if you want a salted caramel middle.
• Caramel: The caramel will thicken after 6 or so minutes to a point where it will take a good few seconds to settle back again. At this point you add it to the shortbread.
• Chocolate: Make sure the chocolate is very finely chopped so it can easily melt into the cream and use a good eating chocolate (not a baking style chocolate). If it isn’t melting into the cream, zap it in the microwave for 20 seconds on half power, no more, then stir again.

How to Store Millionaire’s Shortbread Dessert

These bars keep well in the fridge for up to a week. Keep them stored in an airtight container, in one layer or with a sheet of baking paper between the layers.

More Amazing Caramel Recipes

• Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
• Amazing Salted Caramel Popcorn
• Carmelitas (The Best Cookies Known to Man!)
• Homemade Twix Bars
• Cinnamon Caramel Crumble Bars

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Millionaire Shortbread

Three simple but indulgent layers make this Millionaire Shortbread recipe a winner every time. Just 8 every day ingredients magically turn into a crispy shortbread base, soft and chewy caramel centre and a rich and thick layer of chocolate ganache.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword caramel shortbread, homemade millionaire shortbread, millionaire shortbread

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 55 minutes

Setting & Cooling Time 3 hours

Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes

Servings 16 bars

Calories 254kcal

Author Marie Roffey

Ingredients

THE SHORTBREAD

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (1 stick)
• ¼ cup superfine sugar (1.8oz)
• 1 cup all purpose flour (4.5oz)

THE CARAMEL FILLING

• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• ½ cup, packed brown sugar
• 3 oz unsalted butter (¾ stick)
• ½ teaspoon salt

GANACHE TOPPING

• 1 and ½ cups finely chopped semi sweet chocolate (7oz)
• ⅓ cup heavy cream

Instructions

FOR THE SHORTBREAD

• Preheat the oven to 350F. Line an 8 inch square baking tin with baking paper.
• Beat together the butter and sugar until light and creamy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
• Add the flour, beating on low just until it starts forming small clumps
• Scatter it into the prepared tin, then press it down lightly so there are no gaps.
• Bake for 25 minutes.

FOR THE CARAMEL FILLING

• Combine the condensed milk, sugar and butter in a saucepan over low-medium heat. Stir for around 6-7 minutes until the mixture is smooth and thickened slightly.
• Stir in the salt, then pour the caramel over the shortbread base.
• Bake for another 20 minutes. Let it cool for 30-40 minutes at room temperature before transferring to the fridge.

FOR THE CHOCOLATE GANACHE

• Once the caramel is cool to the touch, place the chocolate in a medium heat proof bowl and set aside.
• In a small saucepan, heat the cream over low heat, swirling every so often, just until it starts to bubble.
• Pour the cream over the chocolate and give the bowl a gentle shake to settle the chocolate under the cream. Leave for 1 minute to soften, then stir to combine. If it's not all melting together, give it a zap in the microwave for 20 seconds on half power, no more.
• Pour the chocolate over the caramel and level out, then chill for at least 1-2 hours or overnight before cutting into squares.

Notes

• Don't beat the dough to a ball of dough, you just want it to be starting to clump and so that you can't see streaks of flour anymore.
• Don't press the dough too firmly into the tin as this will make the cooked shortbread firm instead of crisp.
• Add an extra 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the caramel for a salted caramel flavour.

Nutrition

Calories: 254kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 110mg | Potassium: 114mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 449IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 1mg

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Bacon Wrapped Chestnuts

These Bacon Wrapped Chestnuts are made with sweet chestnuts, that are enveloped in a savory bacon and marinated in a sweet spicy sauce for the perfect flavor combination. These little morsels of bite sized heaven deserve a spot on every party table!

Water Chestnuts are often found in Asian food like Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps or Easy Moo Goo Gai Pan, adding a bit of crunch and texture. In this recipe they get to be the star of the show!

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Recipe

The saltiness of the bacon swaddles the crunch of the water chestnuts with a little sweetness from the sauce makes the perfect flavor combination. These are hard to stop eating, so it’s a good thing it’s a big batch. And you can double it!

Ideal for every occasion from New Year’s Eve to tailgating these look so refined but are super simple to make. They take a little time to assemble and put together but it’s worth it when these go flying off the plate. You might want to make more than you think you’ll need. Everyone loves these little appetizers.

Saucy, Sweet, and Savory Chestnut Ingredients

Simple ingredients combine for huge flavor! These bacon chestnuts won’t last long.

• Whole Water Chestnuts: Sweet, nutty and slightly fruity these are a delicate vegetable.
• Bacon: You can use turkey bacon as well
• Brown Sugar: Use light or dark brown sugar for ultimate caramelization
• Sweet Chili sauce: Adds just the perfect heat and spice.
• Mayonnaise: Adds creaminess and depth to the sauce.

Assembling Bacon Water Chestnuts

A little bit time consuming but not hard to do, these are so worth it. They are unexpectedly delicious!

1. Cut: It is best to cut the bacon in half since the chestnuts are smaller and easier to wrap around.
2. Wrap: Simply wrap the bacon around the water chestnuts
3. Mix: In a small bowl mix the brown sugar, sweet chili sauce and mayo together. Pour over the wrapped chestnuts.
4. Marinate: Place in the fridge for at least 2 hours to meld the flavors together.
5. Bake: Bake for 45 min. at 350 degrees. Broil the top for about 5 min at the end to crisp up the bacon.

Tips for The Best Chestnut Appetizer

The combinations of flavor is amazing and the sauce is so savory! 

• Toothpick: To get the toothpicks through the chestnuts use toothpicks with a flat end so you can push it through easily. Pierce the Chestnut as close to the center as possible so they don’t split.
• Split: If the chestnuts do split, rewrap the bacon tighter and try to skewer so both halves are attached.
• Foil: Use foil to line your pan to help with the clean up.
• Bacon: Thinly sliced bacon will cook faster and crisp up nicely. Try to buy bacon with even sliced pieces. For even sweeter flavor use maple flavored bacon.

Can you Make Water Chestnuts Ahead of Time?

• Make ahead of time: Because these marinate anyway you can make these ahead of time and bake right before the occasion.
• Store: Once baked they do keep in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven at 350 for about 10-15 min. Do not Freeze.

 

More Awesome Bacon Recipes

Bacon Wrapped anything is just awesome!

• Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
• Grilled Bacon Wrapped Corn
• Sweet and Savory Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
• Sweet and Spicy Bacon Wrapped Chicken
• Slow Cooker Bacon Wrapped Maple Glazed Pork

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Bacon Wrapped Chestnuts

These Bacon Wrapped Chestnuts are crunchy sweet chestnuts, that are enveloped in a savory bacon and marinated in a sweet spicy sauce for the perfect flavor combination.

Course Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword bacon chestnuts, bacon wrapped chestnuts, chestnuts, wrapped chestnuts

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes

Marinate Time 2 hours

Total Time 3 hours

Servings 24 Chestnuts

Calories 92kcal

Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

• 2 cans whole water chestnuts
• 1 pound bacon can use turkey bacon
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise

Instructions

• Cut the strips of Turkey Bacon in half.  Wrap around the water chestnuts and stick toothpick in center to hold in place.  Place in a 9x13 pan.
• Mix the brown sugar, sweet chili sauce, and mayonnaise together.  Poor the sauce over the bacon wrapped chestnuts.
• Marinate in the fridge for 2 hours.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.  Broil the top for about 5 minutes at the end to crisp the bacon a little.

Notes

Updated on October 13, 2020

Originally Posted on November 20, 2012

Nutrition

Calories: 92kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 114mg | Potassium: 8mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 6IU | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg

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Baklava (Step by Step Instructions!)

Phyllo pastry and walnuts are layered together then baked until the pastry is deliciously flaky. A sweet honey syrup is poured over the top which soaks into the baklava and makes every bite heavenly.

If you love sweet dessert bars, also try these Neiman Marcus Bars and these Lemon Coconut Bars. You’ll love them!

Baklava Recipe

Baklava is one of the best desserts of all time! It’s made with flaky layers of buttered phyllo pastry stuffed with walnuts. Honey syrup is poured over the top so that every bit is deliciously sweet.

It’s a heavenly dessert recipe that is impossible to resist! And not only is it delicious, but it travels well and lasts a long time so you can share it with friends and family.

Where is Baklava From?

There is much debate about the origin of Baklava. Both Greece and Turkey claim to be the originators of the recipe. According to Wiki, the oldest known recipe that resembles baklava came from the Romans. You know that it’s a winning recipe if it’s remained popular for that many centuries!

How to Make Greek Baklava

This is a fairly simple recipe that is made in 4 steps.

1. The first thing you need to do is gather your ingredients. Phyllo pastry dries out quickly once it’s unwrapped so have everything ready to go before you open the package.
2. Assembling the baklava is all about layers. Eight layers of phyllo and butter line the bottom of a baking dish. Then comes some walnuts, more phyllo, more butter, more walnuts, and on you go until your ingredients run out.
3. Now you cut it into diamonds or rectangles then pop it into the oven.
4. Making the syrup is as easy as mixing some water, sugar, honey, and lemon juice together. Easy! And when you pull the baking dish out of the oven, pour the syrup over the top and let it soak into every nook and cranny.

Homemade Baklava Ingredients

• Walnuts: processed or chopped fine
• Cinnamon: yum!
• Salted butter: salted gives the baklava the best flavor
• Phyllo pastry: turns deliciously crisp when baked
• Honey syrup:made with water, honey, sugar, and a little lemon juice

How long Does Baklava Last?

This dessert will keep for up to 2 weeks at room temperature.

What’s The Best Way To Store It?

To keep this crispy, it is best stored uncovered in a container at room temperature. But if you prefer chewier baklava, then store it in your fridge.

Can I Freeze this Recipe?

Yes! Baklava freezes very well. Make sure that it is cooled completely then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Wrapping it once more in aluminum foil will help prevent any freezer burn.

Baklava Recipe Variations

Feel free to switch up the nuts you use and the type of citrus that you add to the syrup!

• Greek Baklava: made similar to this recipe with walnuts and honey
• Turkish Baklava: made with pistachios and a sugar syrup
• Persian Baklava: made with a rosewater syrup

Want More Delicious Dessert Recipes? Try One Of These!

• Melt in your Mouth Shortbread Cookies
• Snickerdoodle Bars Recipe
• No-Bake Chocolate Eclair Dessert
• Berry Swirl Cheesecake Bars
• Easy Brown Butter Amond Cake

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Baklava Recipe

Phyllo pastry and walnuts are layered together then baked until the pastry is deliciously flaky. A sweet honey syrup is poured over the top which soaks into the baklava and makes every bite heavenly.

Course Dessert

Cuisine Greek

Keyword baklava, baklava recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes

Resting Time 2 hours

Total Time 3 hours 5 minutes

Servings 22 pieces

Calories 265kcal

Author Kristen Stevens

Ingredients

• 12 ounces walnuts halves or pieces
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ½ cup salted butter
• 16 ounces phyllo pastry thawed

The Honey Syrup

• ¾ cup water
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the ingredients

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
• Place the walnuts and cinnamon in your food processor and pulse until chopped.
• Melt the butter in a pan or microwave.
• Cut the phyllo pastry in half so that you have 2 9" wide pieces

Step 2: Assemble the baklava

• Brush a layer of butter in the bottom of a 9x13” baking dish. Top with 2 sheets of phyllo pastry. Brush lightly with butter then add 2 more sheets of phyllo. Repeat this 2 more times so you have 8 sheets of phyllo pastry in the baking dish.
• Sprinkle 1/3 of the walnuts into the baking dish. Top with 2 sheets of phyllo. Brush the top of the phyllo with butter then repeat once more so that you have 4 sheets on top of the walnuts.
• Sprinkle another 1/3 of the walnuts into the baking dish. Top with 2 sheets of phyllo. Brush the top of the phyllo with butter then repeat once more so you have 4 sheets on top of the second layer of walnuts.
• Sprinkle the remaining 1/3 of the walnuts into the baking dish.
• Add 2 more sheets of phyllo then brush the top with butter. Continue to add the phyllo and butter layers until you run out of phyllo pastry. Baste the top with any remaining butter.

Step 3: Cut and bake the baklava

• Cut the baklava into 4 long strips. Then make cuts diagonally so you have diamond-shaped pieces.
• Place the baking dish into the oven and bake, uncovered, for 25-35 minutes, or until it is puffed and golden on the top.

Step 4: Make the syrup

• While the baklava is baking, prepare the syrup. Warm the water and sugar in a small pot over high heat just until the sugar is dissolved. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the honey and lemon juice. Set it aside to cool.
• When the baklava has finished baking, remove it from the oven and immediately pour the cool syrup over the top. Let it rest for at least two hours before serving.

Notes

Phyllo pastry needs to thaw before you can use it. Let it thaw for at least 1 hour at room temperature or overnight in the fridge.

To keep the baklava crispy, lightly dab the melted butter over the phyllo pastry. Too much butter can make the dessert soggy. Also, make sure that the syrup is cool before you pour it over the hot baklava. 

Nutrition

Calories: 265kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 138mg | Potassium: 91mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 132IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg

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Homemade Ranch Dressing

Rich, creamy, and perfectly tangy Homemade Ranch Dressing is the perfect addition to any dish. If you are like most people ranch dressing is a staple in the kitchen.

This is made with my homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix which just makes that much more amazing. Try these other homemade mixes, for healthier and insanely easy, tasty dishes. Homemade Fajita Seasoning, The Best Taco Seasoning, and Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice.

Homemade Ranch Dressing

Ranch dressing is an amazing combination of zesty herbs with garlic, onion and chive flavors in a creamy base. This recipe uses sour cream, mayo and milk. If you want a thinner dressing use a little bit more milk. If you want to use it as a dip, leave it a bit thicker and reduce the milk. Which ever way you make it, it’s going to be perfect.

This American household staple comes together in a cinch without the extra sugar or ingredients you can’t pronounce. It’s quite magical how tasty it is, it’ll make any old salad exquisite. It goes with everything from Buffalo Wings to Pizza. Making it from scratch is only going to make everything you put it on, taste that much better. It’s so creamy and divine. The flavor is out of this world too!

Ranch Ingredients

Super simple ingredients you can pronounce.

• Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix: Homemade is the best! Try this Homemade Ranch Season Mix.
• Sour Cream: Makes it rich and creamy, you can substitute plain greek yogurt.
• Mayonnaise: Do not use Miracle Whip, it’ll change the flavor
• Milk: For extra tanginess you can use more buttermilk.

Making Homemade Ranch

Quick and Easy, but the flavor is dynamite.

1. Mix: In a medium sized bowl mix all the ingredients together with a whisk
2. Storage: This will last as long as your dairy products will last so check your sour cream and milk dates. Do not freeze.

Where did Ranch Dressing Come from?

A Nebraska born Cowboy named Steve Hensen invented the original Ranch Dressing in Alaska where he was a plumber and cook for his fellow workers. He then perfected it on the actual Hidden Valley “Dude” Ranch he and his wife owned in the 1950’s.

He started selling the much asked about dressing to help make ends meet on the ranch and eventually ended up selling the first dry mix packets in stores. It took off and in 1970 he sold the brand and the product for 8 million dollars. By the 1980’s it had ousted Italian as America’s most popular dressing. And now you can have this iconic dressing homemade the way it was meant to be.

Ranch Dressing Variations

Use this recipe as a base for fun variations

• Bacon: Adding bacon to anything is amazing.Try adding in bacon crumbles, because… bacon, my friends, bacon!
• Cheese: Shred a mixture of cheeses to make a cheesy ranch.Add in finely shredded parmesan or a mixture of different cheeses for Homemade Three Cheese Ranch!
• Pepper: Add crushed black peppercorns for a bite.
• Spice: Add jalapeños peppers for a perfect jalapeño ranch.
• Mexican: Mix it with your favorite salsa to add to Tacos
• Avocado: Blend in avocado for a tasty avocado ranch.

More Homemade Inspiration

Homemade always tastes better and surprisingly easy.

• Crunchy Homemade Croutons
• Insanely Good Homemade Granola
• Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
• Homemade Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
• The Easiest Homemade Pizza Ever

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Homemade Ranch Dressing

Rich, creamy, and perfectly tangy Homemade Ranch Dressing is the perfect addition to any dish. If you are like most people ranch dressing is a staple in the kitchen. 

Course Dressing

Cuisine American

Keyword homemade ranch dressing, ranch, ranch dressing

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Servings 10 Tablespoons

Calories 110kcal

Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

• 3 Tablespoons Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 3/4 cup milk more if needed

Instructions

• In a medium sized bowl whisk the ranch mix, sour cream, mayonnaise, and milk until smooth. Refrigerate the leftovers.

Nutrition

Calories: 110kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 88mg | Potassium: 40mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 109IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg

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