Silky smooth chocolate tops a creamy, ooey-gooey caramel filling, all based in a buttery shortbread crust. Creaminess meets crunchiness — and the sweetness is offset with just a touch of salt in these Millionaire Bars.
Chef Jessica Approved ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
- Great for gifting – These millionaire bars are great as gifts on a cookie tray or alongside other great gifts for bakers.
- Full of decadence – Once you make a batch of these bars you might not be willing to share. They are creamy, sweet bars of deliciousness that you may not be able to put down!
- Easy to make them your own – You can customize these bars by dressing them up with any goodies you want. Check the section below for ideas.
What’s in the Mix?
This millionaire bars recipe uses simple ingredients and pantry staples to create a lovely layered flavor and look. A full list of ingredients with measurements is available in the printable recipe card below.
- Butter – As with all baking, using unsalted butter. Allow it to soften on the counter prior to baking, or soften it in intervals in the microwave. We’ll use it for the crust, bars and topping.
- Sugar – Use your typical granulated sugar that dissolves easily which makes it best for baking.
- All-purpose flour – All purpose flour helps this shortbread style crust to rise perfectly. You can also experiment with alternatives like almond flour or coconut flour.
- Sea salt – Salt helps round out and bring out the flavor of nearly any baking dish and using a fine variety will ensure it dissolves quickly when mixing.
- Light brown sugar – Make sure to pack it into the cup. You can use darker brown sugar but it may affect the color and it will impart more molasses flavor.
- Sweetened condensed milk – This creamy millionaire bars filling relies on this ingredient for its rich decadence — don’t skimp! You can also make your own!
- Light corn syrup – Any brand will do, but make sure to add this so your filling gets just the right sweetness and texture.
- Semi-sweet chocolate baking bars – Make sure to finely chop these so that they melt quickly and easily.
- Flakey sea salt – You can optionally use this for garnish — I highly recommend, though, a sprinkle of sea salt to bring out the flavors of the ingredients.
Get to Baking!
You are going to love how easy it is to make this delicious dessert bar!
- Cream butter and sugar. Cream together the sugar and butter on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add flour and salt. While still mixing, add the flour and sea salt to the mix, stirring it in until all ingredients are completely combined and the entire mixture is moist.
- Add dough to pan. Press the dough into the square baking pan prepared with parchment paper and sprayed with cooking spray.
- Bake. The shortbread will be finished when it is lightly golden brown along the edges. The center of the crust should appear dry and pass the toothpick test.
- Make filling. For the filling, combine the butter, brown sugar, condensed milk, and corn syrup in a medium saucepan and stir it constantly over medium heat while it’s heating until it simmers. Then, turn the heat to low.
- Simmer. Allow the mixture to simmer while continuing to stir constantly, avoiding any burning on the bottom of the pan.
- Pour over crust. Next, pour the mixture over the cooled millionaire bars crust, making sure that it is even.
- Freeze. Place the filled crust in the freezer for 2 hours.
- Melt chocolate and butter. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chopped chocolate and butter. Microwave the mixture in intervals. Stir it in between intervals until you reach a smooth consistency.
- Add chocolate to pan. Remove the filled crust from the freezer and spread the chocolate on top of the filling with a spatula, making sure it’s an even layer.
- Refrigerate. Place the pie in the refrigerator for 2 hours to set.
- Cut and enjoy. To remove the bars, use the parchment paper to help lift them out of the baking dish. With a sharp knife, cut them into squares and then sprinkle with flaky sea salt (if using).
5S Philosophy 👩🏻
- Salt – Top millionaire bars with crushed pretzels or even try sprinkling with crushed potato chips.
- Seasonings – You can use a bit of maple syrup to add some rich flavor, or any other flavored syrup that you like.
- Sauces – Use a drizzle of melted chocolate (white chocolate, milk chocolate, or dark chocolate). Or, instead of a chocolate topping, try other sauces like caramel, peanut butter, or fruit sauces are all delicious.
- Swaps – Try adding candies like Reese’s pieces, chopped peanut butter cups, chopped up rolos, toffee chips, homemade (or purchased) Twix bars, or mini M&M’s. You could also add chopped nuts or fresh fruit as a topping.
- Senses – The aromas of the shortbread crust, caramel and melted chocolate will make your home smell just like the local bakery!
Storage and Freezing
How to Store
Store millionaire bars in an airtight container or wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
Can I Freeze Millionaire Bars?
If you’d like to, you can also freeze these millionaire bars for up to 3 months. Make sure to do so in an airtight container or freezer bag.
Baking Queries Simplified
Why is it called a millionaire bar?
The name seems to come from the absolute decadence that these bars have from the homemade caramel filling to the layer of chocolate.
What is the difference between billionaire and millionaire bars?
The only real difference is that billionaire bars have a salted caramel recipe in the middle rather than regular caramel.
What kind of salt is one salted chocolate bars?
You can use a flaky sea salt like Maldon, which is typically reserved for savory items or fleur de del, which is a light and delicate salt used in many sweet foods.
Other Bar Recipes
Portable and delectable, these are some of our favorite brownie and bar recipes that we know you’ll love too!
Millionaire Bars Recipe
With a shortbread crust, caramel filling and chocolate layer on top, this Millionaire Bars recipe is the BEST! Decadent and delicious!
Servings:
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 1 1/3 cups unsalted butter , softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
For the filling:
- 1 cup unsalted butter , cut into tablespoons
- 1 cup light brown sugar , packed
- 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup
For the Topping"
- 12 ounces semi-sweet baking bars , finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- flaky sea salt for garnish , optional
Instructions
Crust:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray, set aside.
- Place the butter and sugar into the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or a large mixing bowl using an electric hand mixer, and cream together for 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add the flour and sea salt, stir it in until combined with no dry patches.
- Press the dough into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 23-28 minutes until lightly golden brown along the edges, the center of the crust appears dry, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.
Filling:
- Combine the butter, brown sugar, condensed milk, and corn syrup into a medium-sized sauce pot. Place over medium-low heat, stirring constantly.
- Bring to a simmer and turn the heat to low. Gently simmer for 5 minutes, stirring constantly so nothing burns on the bottom. You really have to be careful and make sure it doesn’t boil because a bubble may pop and burn you. If it looks like it is starting to simmer more rapidly, take off the heat for a few seconds while continuing to stir, then place it back on the heat.
- After 5 minutes, take it off the heat and continue to stir for about 4 minutes to cool it down slightly. Pour over the crust evenly. Place in the freezer for 2 hours.
Chocolate Layer:
- Add the chopped chocolate and butter into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 15-second intervals stirring in between until smooth. Spread the chocolate on top of the filling. Place in the fridge for 2 hours to set.
- Use the parchment paper to help lift the bars out of the baking dish. Cut into squares and sprinkle with flakey sea salt if using, serve immediately.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.
Nutrition
Calories: 637 kcal, Carbohydrates: 64 g, Protein: 5 g, Fat: 41 g, Saturated Fat: 25 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 11 g, Trans Fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 88 mg, Sodium: 60 mg, Potassium: 255 mg, Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 45 g, Vitamin A: 995 IU, Vitamin C: 1 mg, Calcium: 97 mg, Iron: 3 mg
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