Millionaire Shortbread (eggless)

Millionaire’s shortbread is a delectable treat that has won the hearts of sweet lovers worldwide. This indulgent dessert features a buttery shortbread base, a rich caramel filling, and a smooth chocolate topping, creating a delightful blend of textures and flavors that satisfy even the most discerning palate. Surprisingly easy to make, it requires only a few pantry staples. Despite its simple recipe, the taste and texture are extraordinary, making this recipe a keeper. While it looks like a labor-intensive confection, it comes together in just 45 minutes, making it an impressive yet effortless addition to your dessert repertoire.

Millionaire’s shortbread (eggless), also known as caramel shortbread or caramel slice, is a rich and indulgent treat that consists of three distinct layers:

1. Shortbread Base: A crumbly and buttery shortbread layer forms the base. It is typically made with flour, butter, and sugar. I have used rice flour to make the shortbread light and crispy.
2. Caramel Filling: A thick, gooey layer of caramel is spread over the shortbread base. This caramel is often made by heating sweetened condensed milk with butter and sugar until it thickens and turns a golden brown.
3. Chocolate Topping: The top layer is made of smooth, melted chocolate, which can be milk, dark, or a combination of both, depending on preference.

The layers are assembled and then allowed to set before being cut into squares or bars. The combination of textures and flavors—crunchy shortbread, creamy caramel, and rich chocolate—makes it a decadent dessert.

HISTORY OF MILLIONAIRE’S SHORTBREAD

The history of Millionaire’s Shortbread (eggless) is rooted in the tradition of Scottish baking, where the foundational element, shortbread, has been a beloved staple for centuries. Here’s a closer look at its evolution:

1. Origins of Shortbread:
   • Shortbread itself dates back to at least the 12th century in Scotland, originally made as a form of biscuit bread.
   • Over time, it evolved into a richer, more buttery treat, particularly popular during the holiday season and for special occasions.
2. Evolution to Caramel Shortbread:
   • The addition of a caramel layer to shortbread likely occurred in the mid-20th century, reflecting broader trends in baking where adding decadent ingredients became more common.
   • Caramel made from sweetened condensed milk became popular in the UK and Australia around this time, due to its ease of preparation and rich flavor.
3. Adoption of Chocolate:
   • The final step in the evolution of Millionaire’s Shortbread was the addition of a chocolate layer. This transformation likely took place in the post-World War II era when chocolate became more readily available.
   • The combination of shortbread, caramel, and chocolate proved to be a hit, offering a luxurious, multi-layered treat.
4. Naming and Popularity:
   • The term “Millionaire’s Shortbread” reflects the richness and decadence of the dessert. It suggests a sense of indulgence and luxury, fitting for a treat that combines three layers of such indulgent ingredients.
   • By the late 20th century, Millionaire’s Shortbread had become a popular bakery item in the UK, Australia, and beyond, loved for its contrasting textures and flavors.
5. Modern Variations:
   • Today, Millionaire’s Shortbread can be found in various forms, with bakers experimenting with different types of chocolate, adding nuts, or incorporating sea salt to enhance the flavor profile.
   • Despite these variations, the classic combination of shortbread, caramel, and chocolate remains a beloved classic, celebrated for its rich, indulgent taste.

This delectable treat, with its roots in traditional Scottish baking, has evolved into a worldwide favorite, embodying the perfect blend of simplicity and luxury.

INGREDIENTS THAT GO INTO MILLIONARES SHORTBREAD (eggless)

Caster Sugar: Caster sugar, superfine sugar, has smaller crystals than regular granulated sugar. It dissolves more easily and evenly. It helps to create a smooth texture in the shortbread, ensuring the dough binds well without graininess. It also adds sweetness and contributes to the crispness of the final product.

Butter: Unsalted butter is commonly used in baking for its pure, creamy flavor. I have used salted butter and hence didn’t add salt in the shortbread. If you use unsalted add the salt. It’s a solid fat at room temperature, which contributes to the structure of baked goods. Butter is the main source of fat in shortbread, providing richness and a tender crumb. It also helps to bind the dry ingredients together and adds a distinct buttery flavor that is essential to traditional shortbread.

All-Purpose Flour: A versatile flour that is a blend of hard and soft wheat, with a moderate protein content. All-purpose flour provides structure to the shortbread. It forms the bulk of the dough and, when combined with the other ingredients, creates a firm yet tender base.

Rice Flour: Rice flour is made from finely milled rice and is naturally gluten-free. Rice flour adds a light, crisp texture to the shortbread. It helps create a more delicate and crumbly consistency, which is characteristic of high-quality shortbread.

Salt: It is a common seasoning used in cooking and baking. A small amount of salt enhances the flavors of the other ingredients, balancing the sweetness and bringing out the buttery taste. It also helps to strengthen the dough.

Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract is commonly used for its rich, aromatic flavor. Vanilla extract adds a subtle, sweet flavor and aroma to the shortbread, enhancing its overall taste and providing a hint of warmth and complexity.

The caramel topping in Millionaire’s shortbread is made using butter, light brown sugar, golden syrup, and sweetened condensed milk. Each of these ingredients plays a crucial role in achieving the desired consistency, flavor, and texture of the caramel.

1. Butter: Unsalted butter is a common ingredient in baking, providing fat and flavor. Butter adds richness and creaminess to the caramel. It helps to create a smooth, velvety texture and contributes to the overall flavor. The fat in the butter also helps to prevent the caramel from becoming too hard.
2. Light Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar is granulated sugar with a small amount of molasses added, giving it a moist texture and a caramel-like flavor. Light brown sugar enhances the caramel flavor and adds depth to the sweetness. The molasses in the brown sugar also helps to create a darker, more flavorful caramel and contributes to the smooth consistency.
3. Golden Syrup: Golden syrup is a thick, amber-colored syrup made from sugar. It has a distinct, slightly buttery flavor. Golden syrup helps to prevent the caramel from crystallizing, ensuring a smooth and consistent texture. It also adds a mild, complementary flavor that enhances the overall taste of the caramel. Additionally, golden syrup contributes to the caramel’s chewiness.
4. Sweetened Condensed Milk: Sweetened condensed milk is milk that has had most of the water removed and sugar added, resulting in a thick, sweet product. Sweetened condensed milk is essential for creating the creamy, smooth texture of the caramel. It provides sweetness and helps to thicken the caramel as it cooks. The milk solids in the condensed milk also contribute to the rich, toffee-like flavor of the caramel.

By combining these ingredients and cooking them together, you create a caramel that is rich, smooth, and flavorful, with just the right amount of chewiness and sweetness to complement the buttery shortbread base and the chocolate topping.

CHOCOLATE TOPPING

Chocolate topping gives the millionaire shortbread (eggless) a rich flavor. I have used 55% dark chocolate for the topping you could use whatever you have at hand, but I won’t recommend white chocolate. Milk and dark work well.

Please make the millionaires shortbread and let me know how it went. Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.

You can make these sweet bakes too

Eggless Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Monaco Biscuits Toffee Bar

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Love

N