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    Home » Recipes » Desserts » Million Dollar Bars

    Published: Mar 22, 2022 by Cara Lanz · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Million Dollar Bars

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    stack of million dollar bars on white countertop
    pan of million dollar bars topped with sea salt
    million dollar bars on baking rack with hand holding half a bar in foreground
    row of million dollar bars on a white plate
    stack of Million Dollar Bars on white countertop

    Million Dollar Bars are made from layers of shortbread, caramel, and chocolate — and they might remind you of a Twix Bar. They’re super decadent and ridiculously easy to make with a few simple ingredients.

    Million Dollar Bars on a white plate

    This post was updated on 3/22/22 with new ingredients, tips, techniques, and photos.

    What is a Million Dollar Bar?

    Million Dollar Bars go by many names: Millionaire’s Shortbread, Chocolate Caramel Shortbread, Thousand Dollar Bars, and homemade Twix Bars … just to name a few. 

    But have you ever wondered where Million Dollar Bars came from? The story goes that Million Dollar Bars are an adaptation of a 12th century Scottish shortbread recipe that just got more and more decadent as the years went by. 

    It’s thought that caramel came along in the 1950s and chocolate in the 1980s. Which is shortly after the Twix bar came to the US.

    Coincidence? I think not. 

    As for the name “millionaire,” it likely came from Scotland as an indication of just how decadent they are. 

    If you like this old fashioned bar recipe, you’ll love my Hello Dolly Bars and Coconut Dream Bars. 

    You’re going to love these

    Million Dollar Bars are so easy and impressive, and perfect for the holidays, potlucks, baby showers, or just coffee with friends.

    Fast and easy. This recipe is filled with shortcuts that make putting these Million Dollar Bars together a snap.

    Rich and decadent. Buttery shortbread + chewy caramel + rich chocolate; this is the formula for deliciousness. 

    Impressive. There’s something about layers that just makes these cookie bars look like, well, a million bucks. 

    Like a buttery Twix bar. If you’re on team Caramel Twix candy bars (sorry Peanut Butter Twix), these will remind you of your favorite candy bar, but butterier. 

    Ingredients

    The ingredients in this recipe are simple and putting them together is a piece of cake. 

    Million Dollar Bar ingredients

    Shortbread cookie crumbs. The shortbread layer is super easy to make by grinding up store-bought shortbread cookies.

    I used 1 full package of Keebler Sandies Classic Shortbread cookies, which measured out to about 2 ½ cups of crumbs.

    Butter. Butter helps hold the crust together and give even more rich flavor to the shortbread crust. 

    Sugar. The sugar is important as a binding agent in the crust. As it bakes, it melts, then firms as it cools, and helps hold the crust together. 

    Caramel bits. Millionaire Bar recipes often call for making homemade caramel sauce, with a mixture of sweetened condensed milk, brown sugar, light corn syrup, butter, heavy cream -- and a candy thermometer. No need.

    All you need are handy caramel bits. If you can’t find them in the baking aisle, check the candy aisle. You can also order them from Amazon. 

    Milk. You need just a little bit of milk or almond milk to melt the caramel. 

    Milk chocolate. I’m usually a die-hard dark chocolate lover, but this time, I had to go with a milk chocolate coating so I could get these as close to a Twix bar as possible.

    Shortening. I prefer melting chocolate with shortening because once the chocolate cools, it won’t melt in your hands as quickly as coconut oil does. 

    Flaky sea salt. All this sweetness needs a little relief. Flaky sea salt adds the perfect saltines and a little crunch. 

    Variations

    Cookie crust. There are tons of ways you can add your own twist on the crust. You can use graham crackers, Nilla Wafers, chocolate wafers, gingersnaps, pretzels, or even crushed up cereal.

    Milk chocolate. You can use dark chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, or even white chocolate.

    Toppings. Add your own toppings like chopped nuts, pretzels, a drizzle of another type of chocolate, or M&Ms.

    Step-by-step instructions

    Step 1

    Preheat the oven to 350. 

    Crush the shortbread cookies in a food processor, blender, or in a zip-top plastic bag and a rolling pin. 

    Step 2

    Stir the shortbread crumbs and sugar together in an 8 x 8 square baking pan. I used  this glass 8 x 8 Pyrex dish. Add the melted butter and stir to combine. 

    There is no need to grease the pan first, there's plenty of butter to keep the crust from sticking to the pan.

    Step 3

    Pat the mixture firmly into the pan. Use a spatula, your hand, or the bottom of a glass to press it into the pan. 

    Million Dollar Bar crust pressed into a clear baking dish

    Step 4

    Bake the crust for 20 minutes to a light golden brown.

    Cool the cookie base in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes or until it is firm. (Do not place a warm or hot Pyrex dish in the freezer). 

    Million Dollar Bar crust baked in a clear baking dish

    Step 5

    In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the caramel bits and milk in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until it is smooth and creamy.

    Immediately spread the caramel mixture into an even layer over the crust. Be careful not to tear the crust. 

    Shortbread crust with caramel poured over the top in a clear baking dish

    Step 6

    Cool the caramel in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes or in the freezer for 10 minutes, or until it is firm. 

    Step 7

    Melt the chocolate chips and shortening in a microwaveable bowl in the microwave for 30 seconds, then stir. Continue to melt in 10-second intervals until it is smooth and creamy.

    Immediately spread the chocolate layer evenly over the cooled caramel layer. 

    Let the chocolate dry for a couple of minutes, then add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt.  

    Place the pan in the refrigerator and let them cool completely.  

    Melted milk chocolate on top of Million Dollar Bars with flaky sea salt on top

    How to Cut Million Dollar Bars

    To neatly cut Million Dollar Bars, remove the pan of bars from the refrigerator and let it sit out for about 5 minutes. This will allow the chocolate to soften just a bit so it doesn’t crack when you cut them into bars. Use a sharp knife to cut them into squares or rectangles, to resemble Twix bars. 

    Storage

    Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week or in the freezer for up to three months. 

    Expert Tips

    Pat the shortbread crust firmly into the pan with a spatula or the bottom of a glass. 

    Give each layer plenty of time to cool before adding the next one. It will make it much easier to spread the caramel and chocolate layers neatly and evenly. 

    If you’re using a glass pan, cool the crust in the refrigerator, not the freezer. The rapid temperature change can cause the glass to shatter.  

    Recipe FAQs

    Why is it called Millionaire’s Shortbread?

    It’s thought that Millionaire Shortbread got its name because it is so decadent and rich.

    What is a million dollar bar?

    A million dollar bar is a cookie bar recipe that is made up of layers of shortbread, caramel, and chocolate.

    Is millionaire shortbread a Twix?

    Yes, Millionaire Shortbread, with a buttery shortbread cookie layer, caramel center, and chocolate topping, is a lot like a pan of homemade Twix bars! 

    Can you freeze millionaire bars?

    Yes, millionaire bars freeze beautifully. Just place then in a airtight container and place parchment paper or wax paper between layers.

    How do you cut millionaire shortbread?

    Millionaire shortbread cuts quite nicely when it has been chilled first, and with a sharp knife. I like to remove the pan from the refrigerator and let it sit out for a couple of minutes to let the chocolate soften just a bit so it doesn’t crack when I cut it.

    Cut Million Dollar Bars in the background with a hand holding a cookie with a bite out of it in the foreground

    Hungry for more easy recipes?

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    Million Dollar Bars

    Cara Lanz
    Million Dollar Bars are made from layers of shortbread, caramel, and chocolate — and they might remind you of a Twix Bar. They’re super decadent and ridiculously easy to make with a few simple ingredients.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Cooling Time 1 hr
    Total Time 1 hr 20 mins
    Course Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16
    Calories 339 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 ½ cups crushed shortbread cookies
    • 7 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
    • 2 tablespoons white sugar
    • 1 cup caramel bits
    • 2 teaspoons milk or almond milk
    • 1 cup milk chocolate chips
    • 2 teaspoons shortening
    • sea salt

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350.
    • Stir the shortbread crumbs and sugar together in an 8 x 8 square baking pan. Add the melted butter and stir to combine.
    • Pat the mixture firmly into the pan. Use a spatula, your hand, or the bottom of a glass to press it into the pan.
    • Bake the crust for 20 minutes to a light golden brown. Cool the crust in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes or until it is firm. (Do not place a warm or hot Pyrex dish in the freezer).
    • Melt the caramel bits and milk in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until it is smooth and creamy.
    • Immediately spread the caramel mixture evenly over the crust. Be careful not to tear the crust.
    • Cool the caramel layer in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes or in the freezer for 10 minutes, or until it is firm.
    • Melt the chocolate chips and shortening in the microwave for 30 seconds, then stir. Continue to melt in 10-second intervals until it is smooth and creamy. Immediately spread the chocolate evenly over the caramel layer.
    • Let the chocolate dry for a couple of minutes, then sprinkle the top with flaky sea salt. Place the pan in the refrigerator and let them cool completely. 
    • To neatly cut Million Dollar Bars, remove the pan of bars from the refrigerator and let it sit out for about 5 minutes. This will allow the chocolate to soften just a bit so it doesn’t crack when cut.
      Use a sharp knife to cut them into squares or rectangles, to resemble Twix bars.
    • Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week or in the freezer for up to three months.

    Video

    Notes

    Pat the shortbread crust firmly into the pan with a spatula or the bottom of a glass. 
    Give each layer plenty of time to cool before adding the next one. It will make it much easier to spread the caramel and chocolate layers neatly and evenly. 
    If you’re using a glass pan, cool the crust in the refrigerator, not the freezer. The rapid temperature change can cause the glass to shatter.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 339kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 3gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 170mgPotassium: 67mgFiber: 1gSugar: 23gVitamin A: 192IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 27mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Comments

    1. MB says

      April 04, 2023 at 9:29 pm

      I've made these twice and both times the crust separated from the caramel. I refrigerated the shortbread crust for 45 mins before adding the caramel layer and again refrigerated for 45 mins. And when I cut them the crust crumbles.

      Reply
      • Cara Lanz says

        April 04, 2023 at 10:13 pm

        Oh, no, I'm so sorry that happened! I've never experienced either of those. For the caramel layer, I'm wondering if this happened when they were straight-from-the-fridge cold? Or if it still separated after they'd been at room temp for a bit. I find that as they warm up the caramel becomes quite gooey, but would love to know your experience. About the crust crumbling, that can happen if the crust wasn't packed quite firmly enough. I also wonder if it seemed dry to you before it was baked? Maybe a little more butter would help it hold together better. I want to help figure this out and would love it if you can tell me a little more. Thank you! Cara

        Reply
    2. Nancy says

      February 13, 2023 at 1:57 am

      5 stars
      Haven't made it yet, so I'm not sure about the 5 stars, but don't want to bring down your rating. Would it work to sprinkle the chocolate chips over the caramel while it's still hot and allow them to melt without having to melt them first? Or would this mess up the caramel too much?

      Reply
      • Cara Lanz says

        February 13, 2023 at 2:57 am

        Hi, Nancy, I haven't tried it, but I think the caramel will still be too soft to be able to spread the melted chips without it affecting the caramel layer. Not that a layer of swirled caramel and chocolate would be a bad thing. Let me know if you try it! Cara 🙂

        Reply
    3. Amanie says

      January 13, 2023 at 10:39 pm

      Hi any suggestion for swapping out the shortening?

      Reply
      • Cara Lanz says

        January 13, 2023 at 11:34 pm

        You bet! Coconut oil or vegetable oil will both work. Enjoy :). Cara

        Reply
    4. Ann says

      December 10, 2022 at 8:05 pm

      I had trouble with the shortbread separating from the caramel. Don't know if you have a tip to stop this from happening

      Reply
      • Cara Lanz says

        December 10, 2022 at 8:30 pm

        Hi, Ann, I'm so sorry to see this! I have not had this happen before. Without knowing the exact scenario, a couple of things I can think of is if the shortbread layer wasn't completely cool before adding the caramel layer, perhaps some moisture got trapped in between the layers? Or maybe the caramel needs a little more milk to make it gooeyer and stickier? Also, if it's happening when they're cold, the caramel may become "stickier" at room temp. If you can elaborate a bit more, I'd love to try to help you figure this out! Thanks, Cara

        Reply
    5. Cheri Barden says

      December 10, 2022 at 6:54 pm

      What are caramel bits?

      Reply
      • Cara Lanz says

        December 10, 2022 at 7:01 pm

        Hi, Cheri, Caramel bits are small unwrapped caramel balls, or I guess ... bits. They're made by Kraft, here's a link to their product page so you can see what a bag of them looks like.
        https://www.myfoodandfamily.com/product/00070346000026/kraft-caramel-bits-11-oz-wrapper
        They're really handy. I find them either in the candy aisle or baking aisle, depending on the store. If you can't find them where you are, regular caramels also work. Hope that helps!

        Reply

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