Nigella Lawson’s Millionaire’s Shortbread is made of a shortbread base, caramel layer, and chocolate topping. It serves 24 and takes about 1 hour to prepare and bake, plus additional time for cooling and setting.
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🤎 Why You’ll Love This Millionaires Shortbread Recipe:
- Rich and Decadent Flavor: The combination of buttery shortbread, creamy caramel, and smooth chocolate creates a luxurious dessert that is both rich and indulgent.
- Perfect Balance of Sweetness: This recipe achieves the ideal balance of sweetness. The shortbread provides a slightly salty, crumbly base, the caramel adds a sweet, gooey layer, and the chocolate topping offers a bittersweet finish.
- Easy to Make: Despite its impressive appearance and flavor, this recipe is straightforward and easy to follow. Each step is simple, from making the shortbread base to cooking the caramel and melting the chocolate. It’s perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
- Long Shelf Life: Stored properly, Millionaire’s Shortbread stays fresh for up to a week. This means you can enjoy this delicious treat over several days without worrying about it going stale.
- Textural Delight: The shortbread provides a firm, crumbly base, the caramel offers a chewy, gooey middle, and the chocolate gives a crisp, smooth top. This combination of textures makes eating Millionaire’s Shortbread a delightful experience.
❓ What Is Nigella Lawson Millionaires Shortbread Recipe?
Nigella Lawson’s Millionaire’s Shortbread features a buttery shortbread base topped with a rich caramel layer and finished with a smooth chocolate topping. It serves 24 and takes about 1 hour to prepare and bake, plus additional cooling time.
🍫 Nigella Lawson Millionaires Shortbread Ingredients
For the Shortbread Base:
- 225g (8 oz) plain flour
- 75g (2.6 oz) caster sugar
- 175g (6 oz) unsalted butter, softened
For the Caramel Layer:
- 100g (3.5 oz) unsalted butter
- 100g (3.5 oz) light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons golden syrup
- 1 (397g) can condensed milk
For the Chocolate Topping:
- 200g (7 oz) milk chocolate, chopped
- 100g (3.5 oz) dark chocolate, chopped
🍮 How To Make Nigella Lawson Millionaires Shortbread
- Preheat your oven to 170°C (325°F). Grease and line a 23cm (9-inch) square baking tin with baking parchment.
- In a large bowl, mix together the plain flour and caster sugar. Rub in the softened butter until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Press the mixture firmly into the base of the prepared tin.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until golden and firm. Allow to cool in the tin.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter, light brown sugar, and golden syrup over low heat, stirring continuously until the sugar has dissolved.
- Add the condensed milk and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring constantly, for about 10 minutes, or until the mixture has thickened and turned a golden caramel color.
- Pour the caramel over the cooled shortbread base and spread it evenly. Allow to cool and set completely.
- Melt the milk chocolate and dark chocolate together in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth. Alternatively, you can melt the chocolate in the microwave in short bursts, stirring between each burst.
- Pour the melted chocolate over the set caramel layer, spreading it out evenly with a spatula.
- Allow the chocolate to set at room temperature. Once set, cut the Millionaire’s Shortbread into squares or bars with a sharp knife.
💭 Recipe Tips
- Even Shortbread Base: Ensure you press the shortbread mixture evenly and firmly into the tin. This helps create a uniform base that supports the caramel and chocolate layers.
- Caramel Consistency: Stir the caramel constantly while it simmers to prevent it from burning. It should be thick and golden. If it’s too runny, it might not set properly.
- Smooth Chocolate Topping: When melting the chocolate, be patient and stir continuously for a smooth, lump-free texture. Avoid overheating as it can cause the chocolate to seize.
- Layer Setting: Let each layer cool and set completely before adding the next. This ensures clean, distinct layers in your finished shortbread.
- Cutting the Shortbread: Use a sharp knife for cutting. Warm the knife under hot water, dry it, and then cut the shortbread to get clean slices without cracking the chocolate.
- Prevent Crumbs: When spreading the caramel and chocolate layers, be gentle to avoid lifting crumbs from the shortbread base into the topping.
☕ What To Serve With Millionaires Shortbread?
Serve Millionaire’s Shortbread with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for added richness fresh berries like strawberries or raspberries provide a refreshing contrast pair with a hot cup of coffee or tea to balance the sweet flavors.
How To Store Leftovers Millionaires Shortbread?
- Room Temperature: Store leftovers millionaires shortbread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. This keeps the shortbread crisp and the chocolate smooth.
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers millionaires shortbread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. This helps the caramel and chocolate stay firm.
FAQ’S
Why is it called Millionaire’s Shortbread?
The name “Millionaire’s Shortbread” reflects its rich, indulgent nature and the luxurious combination of ingredients. The dessert is seen as a step above regular shortbread due to its decadent layers of caramel and chocolate.
How do I make sure the shortbread base is cooked perfectly?
Bake the shortbread base until it is lightly golden and firm to the touch. Avoid overbaking, as it can become too hard. Allow it to cool completely in the tin before adding the caramel layer to ensure it maintains its structure.
Can I add a layer of nuts to Millionaire’s Shortbread?
Yes, you can add a layer of chopped nuts between the caramel and chocolate layers or sprinkle them on top of the chocolate before it sets. Nuts like almonds, hazelnuts, or pecans add extra crunch and flavor.
What type of tin should I use for Millionaire’s Shortbread?
Use a 23cm (9-inch) square baking tin lined with baking parchment for easy removal. The size ensures the layers are thick enough for a satisfying bite without being too thin.
What is the texture of Millionaire’s Shortbread like?
Millionaire’s Shortbread has a multi-layered texture: a crumbly and buttery shortbread base, a smooth and chewy caramel layer, and a crisp, firm chocolate topping. Each bite offers a satisfying combination of these textures.
How do I cut Millionaire’s Shortbread neatly?
For clean cuts, use a sharp knife warmed under hot water and dried before cutting. This helps to slice through the chocolate layer without cracking it. Cut the shortbread while it’s still slightly cold but not frozen.
How long does it take to make Millionaire’s Shortbread?
It takes about 1 hour to prepare and bake the shortbread base and caramel layer, plus additional time for cooling and setting. Overall, including setting time, it can take around 3-4 hours from start to finish.
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Nigella Lawson Millionaires Shortbread Nutrition Fact
- Calories: 327
- Total Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
- Sodium: 70mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 38g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 27g
- Protein: 3g
- Vitamin D: 0.5mcg
- Calcium: 50mg
- Iron: 1.2mg
- Potassium: 120mg
Nigella Millionaires Shortbread
Description
Nigella Lawson’s Millionaire’s Shortbread is made of a shortbread base, caramel layer, and chocolate topping. It serves 24 and takes about 1 hour to prepare and bake, plus additional time for cooling and setting.
Ingredients
For the Shortbread Base:
For the Caramel Layer:
For the Chocolate Topping:
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 170°C (325°F). Grease and line a 23cm (9-inch) square baking tin with baking parchment.
- In a large bowl, mix together the plain flour and caster sugar. Rub in the softened butter until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Press the mixture firmly into the base of the prepared tin.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until golden and firm. Allow to cool in the tin.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter, light brown sugar, and golden syrup over low heat, stirring continuously until the sugar has dissolved.
- Add the condensed milk and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring constantly, for about 10 minutes, or until the mixture has thickened and turned a golden caramel color.
- Pour the caramel over the cooled shortbread base and spread it evenly. Allow to cool and set completely.
- Melt the milk chocolate and dark chocolate together in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth. Alternatively, you can melt the chocolate in the microwave in short bursts, stirring between each burst.
- Pour the melted chocolate over the set caramel layer, spreading it out evenly with a spatula.
- Allow the chocolate to set at room temperature. Once set, cut the Millionaire’s Shortbread into squares or bars with a sharp knife.
Notes
- Even Shortbread Base: Ensure you press the shortbread mixture evenly and firmly into the tin. This helps create a uniform base that supports the caramel and chocolate layers.
- Caramel Consistency: Stir the caramel constantly while it simmers to prevent it from burning. It should be thick and golden. If it’s too runny, it might not set properly.
- Smooth Chocolate Topping: When melting the chocolate, be patient and stir continuously for a smooth, lump-free texture. Avoid overheating as it can cause the chocolate to seize.
- Layer Setting: Let each layer cool and set completely before adding the next. This ensures clean, distinct layers in your finished shortbread.
- Cutting the Shortbread: Use a sharp knife for cutting. Warm the knife under hot water, dry it, and then cut the shortbread to get clean slices without cracking the chocolate.
- Prevent Crumbs: When spreading the caramel and chocolate layers, be gentle to avoid lifting crumbs from the shortbread base into the topping.