No-Bake Millionaire’s Shortbread: A Delicious Dessert Recipe

Indulge in the rich and creamy layers of our No-Bake Millionaire’s Shortbread, a delightful treat that combines the crispiness of a buttery crust with the sweetness of caramel and the richness of chocolate. This easy recipe is perfect for any occasion and requires no baking! Let’s dive into the details and learn how to make this decadent dessert.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Base

• 1 package of cookies (like Graham crackers or digestive biscuits)
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted

For the Caramel Layer

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
• ¾ cup packed brown sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt

For the Chocolate Topping

• 1 cup dark chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Preparing the Baking Pan

Step 1: Set Up Your Pan

To start, gather all your ingredients and prepare a 9×9-inch square baking pan. Grease the pan and line it with parchment paper, ensuring the paper overhangs the edges by about 1 inch. This will make it easier to lift the shortbread out later.

Making the Crust

Step 2: Crush Your Cookies

Using a food processor, pulse the cookies until they turn into fine crumbs. This forms the base of your dessert.

Step 3: Combine with Butter

Pour the melted butter into the crumbled cookies and pulse again until mixed thoroughly. Your mixture should resemble wet sand.

Step 4: Press the Mixture

Firmly press the crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan using a flat-bottomed measuring cup or glass. Refrigerate this for 30 minutes to set.

Creating the Caramel Filling

Step 5: Cook the Caramel

In a saucepan, combine the 6 tablespoons of butter, sweetened condensed milk, brown sugar, and salt. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently until it boils.

Step 6: Thicken the Mixture

Reduce the heat to medium and continue to stir until a candy thermometer reads between 230°F and 235°F (110°C to 113°C). This process should take about 6 to 8 minutes. You’ll notice the mixture thickening and turning a deeper color.

Step 7: Pour Over the Base

Once the caramel is ready, pour it over the chilled shortbread base, spreading it evenly. Refrigerate this layer for at least 2 hours until set.

Topping with Chocolate

Step 8: Melt the Chocolate

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the dark chocolate chips and the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Microwave on high until fully melted and smooth, approximately 1 to 2 minutes, stirring every 20 seconds.

Step 9: Spread the Chocolate

Pour the melted chocolate over the caramel layer, spreading it evenly with a spatula. For added flavor, sprinkle coarse sea salt on top after letting it stand for 10 minutes.

Final Touch and Serving

Step 10: Chill the Bars

Refrigerate the entire dessert until the chocolate layer is set, which typically takes around 1 hour.

Step 11: Slice and Enjoy

Remove the shortbread from the pan using the parchment paper. Allow it to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes, as this makes slicing easier without cracking. Cut into 24 bars and serve!

Tips for Success

• Storage: Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
• Customizing: Feel free to add nuts or dried fruits to the caramel layer for extra texture and flavor.

By following these steps, you’ll create a mouth-watering No-Bake Millionaire’s Shortbread that is sure to impress your friends and family. Enjoy every bite of this luscious dessert!