Description
Craving a rich, indulgent dessert that’s as easy as it is impressive? No-Bake Millionaire’s Shortbread is your answer! This classic treat features a buttery almond flour shortbread base, a gooey caramel layer, and a luxurious chocolate ganache topping with a stunning marbled effect
Ingredients
This recipe has three components—shortbread, caramel, and chocolate ganache—with a short list of ingredients that deliver bold flavors. Quality chocolate and fresh butter are key for the best results.
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Shortbread:
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200 g (2 cups) almond flour: Creates a nutty, gluten-free base with a crumbly texture.
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2 tablespoons brown sugar: Adds subtle sweetness to the shortbread.
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¼ teaspoon salt: Enhances the flavors and balances sweetness.
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75 g (⅓ cup) unsalted butter, melted: Binds the crust for a rich, buttery texture.
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½ teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds a warm, sweet note.
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Caramel:
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100 g (½ cup) brown sugar: Provides a deep, caramelized flavor.
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75 g (⅓ cup) unsalted butter: Adds richness and smoothness to the caramel.
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300 g (1 can, 10 oz) sweetened condensed milk: Creates a thick, gooey caramel layer.
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Chocolate Ganache:
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200 g (1 ¼ cups) dark chocolate, chopped: Forms a rich, smooth topping.
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50 g (⅓ cup) white chocolate, chopped: Adds a contrasting flavor for the marbled effect.
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125 g (½ cup) heavy cream: Melts the chocolate into a silky ganache.
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Substitutions and Variations:
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Dairy-Free: Use vegan butter and coconut cream instead of heavy cream. Swap condensed milk for vegan condensed milk.
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Nut-Free: Replace almond flour with crushed gluten-free shortbread cookies or graham crackers for the base.
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Lower Sugar: Reduce brown sugar in the caramel to 70 g and use sugar-free condensed milk.
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Flavor Twist: Add a pinch of sea salt to the caramel for a salted caramel version or 1 teaspoon espresso powder to the ganache for a mocha vibe.
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Chocolate Swap: Use milk chocolate instead of dark for a sweeter topping, or all white chocolate for a different look.
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Why These Ingredients Matter: The almond flour base offers a nutty, crumbly foundation, the caramel provides gooey sweetness, and the marbled ganache adds a luxurious, visually stunning finish.
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Shortbread Base
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Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving overhangs for easy removal.
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In a medium bowl, stir together 200 g almond flour, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, and ¼ teaspoon salt until combined.
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Add 75 g melted unsalted butter and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, stirring until the mixture resembles wet sand.
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Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan using your fingers or the back of a spoon.
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Chill the base in the fridge while preparing the caramel.
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Tip: Press the base firmly to ensure it holds together when sliced.
Step 2: Make the Caramel
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In a small pot over medium heat, combine 100 g brown sugar, 75 g unsalted butter, and 300 g sweetened condensed milk.
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Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
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Boil for 2–3 minutes until the caramel thickens. Test readiness by dragging a spatula through the caramel; it should part and rejoin after 1–2 seconds.
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Pour the warm caramel over the chilled shortbread base and smooth with an offset spatula.
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Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to set the caramel.
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Tip: Stir the caramel constantly to avoid scorching and ensure a smooth texture.
Step 3: Prepare the Chocolate Ganache
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Place 200 g chopped dark chocolate in one bowl and 50 g chopped white chocolate in another.
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In a small pot, heat 125 g heavy cream over medium heat until bubbles just begin to form (do not boil).
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Pour 100 g of the hot cream over the dark chocolate and 25 g over the white chocolate. Let sit undisturbed for 1–2 minutes.
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Stir each bowl until the chocolate melts into a smooth ganache.
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Tip: Chop the chocolate finely for faster, even melting.
Step 4: Assemble and Decorate
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Pour the dark chocolate ganache over the chilled caramel layer, smoothing with an offset spatula.
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Spoon small blobs of white chocolate ganache onto the dark chocolate layer.
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Run a chopstick or knife through the ganache in a zigzag pattern (left to right, then up and down) without lifting to create a marbled effect.
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Chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour until all layers are fully set.
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Tip: Work quickly with the ganache to create the marble pattern before it starts to set.
Step 5: Slice and Serve
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Remove the shortbread from the pan by lifting the parchment paper overhangs.
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Run a sharp knife under hot water, wipe dry, and cut into bars (about 16 squares or 12 rectangles). Repeat heating the knife between cuts for clean slices.
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Serve chilled or at room temperature for a softer texture.
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Tip: Chill the bars briefly before cutting for cleaner edges.