Million Dollar Bars

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.

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. 

Million Dollar Bars

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.

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.

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