Caramel shortbread

Caramel Shortbread

Caramel shortbread, also known as millionaire's shortbread, is a delicious and indulgent dessert that consists of three layers: a buttery shortbread base, a rich caramel filling, and a smooth chocolate topping. This article will provide a detailed recipe for making caramel shortbread, along with some interesting facts and variations.

Ingredients

To make caramel shortbread, you will need the following ingredients:

• For the shortbread base:
  • 200g of plain flour
  • 100g of unsalted butter
  • 50g of caster sugar

• For the caramel filling:
  • 200g of condensed milk
  • 100g of unsalted butter
  • 100g of light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons of golden syrup

• For the chocolate topping:
  • 200g of dark chocolate

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a square baking tin with parchment paper.

2. Start by making the shortbread base. In a mixing bowl, combine the plain flour, unsalted butter, and caster sugar. Use your fingertips to rub the ingredients together until they resemble breadcrumbs.

3. Press the shortbread mixture into the prepared baking tin, ensuring an even layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.

4. While the shortbread is cooling, prepare the caramel filling. In a saucepan, melt the unsalted butter, light brown sugar, and golden syrup over low heat. Stir continuously until the sugar has dissolved.

5. Add the condensed milk to the saucepan and increase the heat to medium. Cook the mixture, stirring constantly, until it thickens and turns a golden caramel color. This should take around 10-15 minutes.

6. Pour the caramel filling over the cooled shortbread base, spreading it out evenly. Allow it to cool and set completely.

7. Once the caramel has set, it's time to make the chocolate topping. Melt the dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, stirring until smooth.

8. Pour the melted chocolate over the caramel layer, ensuring it covers the entire surface. Use a spatula to spread it out evenly.

9. Place the caramel shortbread in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or until the chocolate has set.

10. Once the chocolate has hardened, remove the caramel shortbread from the refrigerator and cut it into squares or bars.

Variations

Caramel shortbread can be customized in various ways to suit different tastes. Here are a few popular variations:

• Salted Caramel Shortbread: Add a sprinkle of sea salt to the caramel filling for a sweet and salty twist.

• Nutty Caramel Shortbread: Sprinkle chopped nuts, such as almonds or pecans, over the caramel layer before adding the chocolate topping.

• Chocolate Caramel Shortbread: Use milk or white chocolate for the topping instead of dark chocolate.

See Also

• Shortbread - Learn more about the classic buttery Scottish biscuit.

• Caramel - Explore the sweet and gooey confectionery.