Easter millionaires shortbread

This Easter millionaires shortbread is something really special, boasting a base of crumbly shortbread, creamy set caramel, a layer of milk and white chocolate and a garnish of creme eggs!

Despite its luxury appearance, this Easter millionaire shortbread is actually pretty easy to make.

You'll start by making the shortbread dough, which is a two step process. Step one, put flour, semolina (for a little crunch), sugar and butter in a bowl. Step two, rub it all together until it starts to clump and become dough-like.

To cook the dough, you'll simply press it into a tin, prick all over and bake for 30 minutes to give a perfect slab of crisp, crumbly shortbread.

Next up, you'll make the caramel, which is another two step process. You'll put light brown sugar, butter and condensed milk in a heatproof bowl and microwave until thick and gorgeous.

After that, you'll melt some chocolate for the topping and then it's just a case of bringing all of the elements of your Easter millionaires shortbread together. The caramel is spread over the shortbread, the melted white chocolate next, a swirl of milk chocolate and finally, Creme Egg halves.

Leave it all to set, cut it into slices and you'll have a seriously delicious Easter treat. Here's the full recipe for my Easter millionaires shortbread.

Instructions

Make the shortbread biscuit

Preheat the oven to 180C (160C fan-assisted).

Put the butter, sugar, flour and semolina in a large bowl.

Rub in until a crumb is achieved. It's normal for it to go clumpy, as long as there are no lumps of butter.

Tip the dough out into a well-greased, non-stick, medium roasting tin.

Spread evenly and press down firmly with the flat of your hand.

Prick the dough all over with a fork - this helps to stop the biscuit puffing up during baking.

Bake for 25-30 mins or until firm and pale golden.

Allow to cool until firm. You can then either leave in the tin to cool completely or, if you want to speed the process up a bit, you can carefully tip the biscuit onto a cooling rack, then return it to the tin once cool.

To make the caramel layer 

You can begin cooking the caramel once the biscuit is in the oven.

Put the butter, light soft brown sugar and condensed milk in a large, heat proof bowl.

Heat in the microwave for 2 minutes to melt everything together. Stir, then continue the heat and stir for 3 further 2 minute blasts (to a total of 8 minutes).

Be extremely careful and use oven gloves and care when handling the bowl as the caramel will bubble and reach almost 120C (250F).

Stir by reaching the silicon spatula into the microwave if possible and safe to do so so that you can avoid moving the bowl any more than necessary.

When you've finished cooking the caramel, leave it in the microwave to cool.

Once the biscuit has cooled too, spoon the caramel on top and spread gently to the edges. If the caramel has become very thick, you can loosen it up again with a 10 second burst in the microwave.

Leave it for 10 minutes to set a bit more firmly.

Make the chocolate layer

Melt the white chocolate then allow to cool so that it feels about the same temperature as your finger.

Pour the white chocolate over the caramel, distributing evenly, then level off.

Melt the milk chocolate and drizzle very thinly all over the white chocolate in swirls.

Swirl gently with the handle of a teaspoon or a chopstick.

Arrange the creme eggs on top. I like to arrange them in a 3 x 4 pattern to make it easier to cut the shortbread up later.

Loosely cover the tin and leave the Easter millionaires shortbread to set at room temperature. Depending on how warm you chocolate and caramel were, this could take anything from 1-3 hours.

If you're in a hurry, you can place in the fridge to set for 30 minutes or until the white chocolate is hard to the touch, all the way to the centre.

To serve, you'll run a knife around the edges of the tin and turn out onto a board. I find the easiest way to do this is to place a piece of greaseproof paper and a cutting board on top of the tin, flip over, remove the tin, then place another board on top and flip again so that the creme eggs are on top.

Trim the edges with a sharp knife for a neat finish, then cut into 12 bars in a 3 x 4 pattern.

Enjoy!

Pointers, tricks and troubleshooting tips for the perfect Easter millionaires shortbread

Is Easter millionaires shortbread easy to make?

This Easter millionaires shortbread is so easy to make. However, while it's very simple, a couple of stages aren't suitable for kids. But you can still get them involved with the decoration stage at the end!

The shortbread is a simple mix of flour, sugar, semolina and butter, baked for just 25 minutes in a baking tray. You'll leave the shortbread to cool for a while, then you make the caramel and melt the chocolate in a microwave. 

The second trickiest part of this recipe is the stirring of the caramel. Apart from that, it's just melting, stirring, pouring and waiting for layers to cool. Then, you top the shortbread with Creme Eggs for decoration.

Finally, the most difficult phase of this recipe is waiting for it to set before you dig in!

Will I need any special equipment to make Easter millionaires shortbread?

The only bits of kitchen equipment you'll need to make this recipe are measuring equipment, bowls, utensils, a baking tray and a cutting knife and board. 

There's always a complete list of suggested equipment on the recipe card below my recipes if you're in doubt. In addition, I always include links to example products, so you can see exactly what I used to make each recipe.

What is semolina? Where can I buy it?

Semolina is a wheat-based product, like a cross between flour and couscous. It looks like like small couscous (in fact, couscous is just semolina in a different shape), but it's more crumbly, so it blends into a bake with flour.

In most supermarkets, you can find semolina in different sizes (coarse or fine). Some stores keep semolina on the baking aisle, whereas others keep it on the pasta aisle.

How can I tell if the butter has gone off?

The first thing to check is the dates on the packet. 

In the UK, we have a Best Before date and a Use By date on food. Best Before dates indicate quality, and food may still be safe to eat a little past that date. However, if your butter is past the Best Before and Use By dates, you should discard it.

You should always keep your butter in the fridge, well wrapped or in a sealed container, as it has a tendency to absorb flavours and odours from the refrigerator. So once you've opened it, pop it inside a container or butter dish with a lid if you have one. 

If your butter has been stored correctly, it should remain safe to eat until the Use By date. However, if your butter hasn't been stored correctly or has any of the following characteristics, you should discard it.

Signs butter has spoiled:

• Darker colour.
• Translucent patches.
• A layer of condensation (or 'sweat').
• A sour or rancid smell.
• A 'fizzy' texture.

Are Easter millionaires shortbread suitable for vegetarians?

At the time of writing (March 2022), all ingredients in this Easter millionaires shortbread recipe should be vegetarian. 

However, if you decide to substitute any ingredients, you should check the labels to ensure they're vegetarian. Animal-derived products can be used to thicken, colour or flavour sweet and savoury food, so it sneaks into the most surprising ingredients!

Are Easter millionaires shortbread suitable for vegans?

This Easter millionaires shortbread recipe contains dairy, so it isn't vegan. However, luckily, the ingredients in this recipe are pretty easy to replace with vegan alternatives.

Shortbread:

First, you can use plant-based butter instead of dairy butter for the shortbread base. I regularly use Flora's Plant Butter, but other brands are available. Whichever brand you use, make sure you find vegan butter with an 80% fat content, so it behaves similarly to dairy butter.

Caramel:

Next, you'll need to make a vegan caramel. I use butter, soft brown sugar, and condensed milk to make the caramel in this recipe. So you can use plant butter as above, and sugar is naturally vegan. 

Carnation make vegan condensed milk that you could use too. However, it's probably best to follow their Vegan millionaires shortbread recipe for caramel rather than swap it for this recipe. This is because vegan alternatives behave differently from dairy ingredients. So it's best to use a recipe designed for the ingredients rather than dairy ingredients.

Chocolate top

For the chocolate top layer, you can use vegan chocolate. You can buy vegan chocolate from most supermarkets, health food stores, or Amazon. Vego makes good quality vegan chocolate 'melts' designed for melting and baking, but it does contain hazelnuts. 

Creme Egg

Mummy Meegz's Chuckie Egg is the best option for a vegan Creme Egg alternative. However, it isn't widely available, so you may need to find an alternative from this list of vegan Creme Eggs. 

Make sure that you double-check all of your ingredients labels to ensure that they're vegan. Also, don't forget to check anything extra that you intend to serve with your recipe.

Are Easter millionaires shortbread gluten-free?

This recipe isn't gluten-free as it contains wheat flour. However, as of the time of writing (March 2022), flour is the only ingredient in this recipe that contains gluten. So it should be super easy to make this recipe gluten-free!

All you need to do is use plain gluten-free flour instead of plain wheat flour. Most supermarkets sell gluten-free flour in their 'Free From' section in the UK. 

If your local supermarket doesn't sell gluten-free flour, then don't worry; brands like Doves Farm are pretty easy to find on Amazon.

Double-check all of your ingredients and labels to ensure that they are gluten-free. Also, don't forget to check anything extra you intend to serve the recipe with.

Are Easter millionaires shortbread keto-friendly?

Sorry, this Easter millionaires shortbread recipe contains a lot of sugar and carbohydrates. So, unfortunately, it isn't suitable for a ketogenic diet.

Are Easter millionaires shortbread healthy?

This recipe is best enjoyed as an Easter treat. It contains a lot of chocolate, which means it's high in fat and sugar. 

But there's nothing wrong with a bit of chocolate, especially at Easter - so don't worry about it! 

Are Easter millionaires shortbread safe to eat while pregnant?

There's nothing in this recipe that would be considered unsafe for pregnancy. 

So as long as you prepare your Easter millionaires shortbread hygienically, it would make a lovely treat for a pregnant friend!

However, this recipe contains a fair bit of sugar, so a smaller portion would be best as pregnant people are more sensitive to blood sugar fluctuations.

A Mummy Too does not offer medical advice. Please seek help from a medical professional if you need further information or have any concerns.

What goes well with Easter millionaires shortbread?

This Easter millionaires shortbread would be great with a tea or hot drink after a long Easter Sunday walk! Or you could chop any leftover pieces up and add them to an Easter Egg Sundae!

Can I make these Easter millionaires shortbread without Creme Eggs?

Sure! The Creme Eggs are just a decoration to make these shortbreads festive. If you aren't a Creme Egg fan (how?!), you could sprinkle some Mini Eggs or other chocolate eggs over the top. 

Or, if you're looking for a non-Easter themed shortbread slice recipe, I have this Ferrero Rocher slice which would work for any time of the year!

Why did my caramel split and burn?

The caramel will split when you combine the ingredients, but don't worry! Just keep whisking, and it will come back together. 

However, burnt caramel isn't normal and shouldn't happen. If your caramel burns, you'll need to start again as there's no fixing it. 

To avoid burning your caramel remember these key points:

•  Make sure not to put it in the microwave for too long. 
• Whisk thoroughly after the first 3 minutes, and then again after 3 minutes. 
• Don't be tempted to put your caramel back into the microwave for longer if it doesn't come together. Just keep whisking it, and it will eventually come together. Adding more heat at this point is more likely to burn the caramel. 
• If your caramel seems a little runnier than expected, that's fine. Caramel thickens a lot as it cools. 

Can I make this recipe without semolina?

If you don't have any semolina, you can make the shortbread without it. You just need to add some extra flour or almond flour to make up the amount. 

However, if you can find some semolina, it's really worth it! Semolina gives the shortbread texture a lovely crumbly buttery base.

Can I add extra chocolate to this recipe?

This recipe is probably around 40% chocolate - so it already contains quite a lot! 

You could only include more chocolate if you added some cocoa powder to the shortbread mix. 

Or you could sprinkle some extra chocolate on top of the melted chocolate layer - though it may ruin the decoration effect.

How should I store Easter millionaires shortbread?

The best place to store your Easter millionaires shortbread is in an airtight container in a cupboard. 

How long will my Easter millionaires shortbread keep?

Your Easter millionaires shortbread will keep for up to 5 days when stored correctly. 

Can I leave Easter millionaires shortbread out on the counter?

You should keep your shortbread in a sealed container in a cool dark place when you aren't eating it. Otherwise, the caramel will melt, and the slices will become sticky - and probably covered in flies!

Can I make Easter millionaires shortbread ahead?

This Easter millionaires shortbread recipe really benefits from being made ahead or in stages. This is because the layers need to be thoroughly set or chilled before adding the next layer. 

So you could make the shortbread layer a couple of days before serving. Then the next day, top with the caramel. Finally, at least 4 hours before serving, you can top it with melted chocolate.

You could also make the shortbread in its entirety up to 3 days ahead and store it sealed up in a cool dark place. It will be safe to eat for up to 5 days, but it will probably get soggy after 3 days.

Can I keep Easter millionaires shortbread in the refrigerator?

While you can refrigerate your Easter millionaires shortbread, it might not be the best option. Refrigeration can sometimes cause the moisture from the caramel to seep into the biscuit layer. 

Equally, the chocolate and caramel will become quite hard in the fridge. So you'll need to leave the shortbread on the counter (in a container) for about half an hour before you serve it. 

So to avoid a soggy shortbread and hard caramel, it's best to keep your Easter millionaires shortbread in a sealed container in a cool, dark place like a cupboard or pantry.

Can I freeze Easter millionaires shortbread?

Your Easter millionaire shortbread should freeze really well, as there's a low water content in the caramel and chocolate.

The best way to freeze your shortbread would be in individual slices, layered inside a container between sheets of baking paper. 

Freezing the shortbread sliced allows you to take out a slice as you need one rather than commit to defrosting the whole tray. In addition, the baking paper will stop the pieces from sticking together.

What is the best way to defrost Easter millionaires shortbread?

If you want to defrost a sheet or an individual slice of shortbread, simply transfer it from the freezer into a sealed container in the fridge. 

An individual portion should defrost within a couple of hours, whereas the whole sheet will need at least 6-8 hours.

Let it come to room temperature before serving so the caramel and chocolate can become a little softer.

Can I make these Easter millionaires shortbread in a different quantity?

If you want to make more or less of this recipe, go ahead! You can double, halve or scale the recipe however you like. 

You just need to make sure you use a tin of relative size. This will ensure the shortbread is the same depth so that the shortbread and the other ingredients cook/set in the same amount of time and temperature. 

Can I make this recipe in a different tin/tray?

Feel free to make your shortbread in any shaped tin or tray. Just make sure the tin allows the shortbread to remain the same depth as I used. 

For example, if you use a much narrower tin, the shortbread will burn or take longer to cook. Plus, the caramel and chocolate layers will end up much thicker or not set properly either.

Can I make Easter millionaires shortbread in a stand mixer like a KitchenAid or Kenwood Mixer?

There's no need to use a stand mixer for this recipe. 

The shortbread is best crumbled by hand and mixed by hand. Then, you'll prepare both the melted chocolate and the caramel in the microwave. 

So no point in the recipe requires a stand mixer.

Can I make Easter millionaires shortbread with a food processor?

You could make the shortbread with a food processor to save your hands from getting too sticky.

Put the shortbread ingredients into the food processor and blitz them in short bursts until you have a crumb. You should stop as soon as it is at the desired texture to avoid overworking the mixture and activating the gluten. It definitely shouldn't be a solid ball or end up like a paste.

How can I make sure my Easter millionaires shortbread turns out perfectly?

Here are a few extra tips to ensure your bake goes as smoothly as possible!

• Your shortbread should take just 20-25 minutes to bake. It's important not to let it overcook, or the base will become too crumbly. The shortbread will be ready when it has turned a pale golden brown. So keep an eye on your shortbread through the oven door. 
• It's also good to prick the shortbread a few times with a fork. Make sure the fork goes quite deep into the shortbread. This stops air bubbles from forming under the surface, ensuring you have a smooth and even shortbread layer.
• Cooling the layers is one of the most critical steps in this recipe. So make sure the caramel is thoroughly cooled and set before preparing the melted chocolate. This is vital to stop the chocolate from mixing with the caramel when adding the final layer. Your caramel needs to be set and very cold to withstand the warm chocolate.
• Melt your chocolate in 15-second bursts in the microwave so that it doesn't burn. Or, if you're using a bain-marie method, ensure the bowl doesn't touch the water, so avoid it burning.
• Make sure you only use completely dry utensils to stir your chocolate. Introducing moisture to melted chocolate causes it to crystallise and become gritty when it sets.

Why did my Easter millionaires shortbread turn out wet with uneven layers?

If your shortbread layers are uneven or the shortbread is soggy, it's probably because the individual layers didn't cool enough. Don't worry too much! The shortbread will still taste great; it just won't look as neat or hold together. 

It's also crucial that you allow the finished Easter millionaire shortbread to set in the fridge in its tray before you slice it. If your shortbread isn't entirely set, it will be too soft to cut neatly. 

So if you start to cut and it starts squishing and losing its shape, pop it back in the fridge until it's completely firm.

How can I add/change the flavours in these Easter millionaires shortbread?

If you want to change the flavours in this shortbread, you can add flavourings to a few areas. 

First, you could add cocoa powder or food essences to the shortbread for a flavoured base. However, I wouldn't advise adding flavouring to the caramel, as it could affect the way it sets or cause it to split irreparably.

You can also change the chocolate you use on top. I used white chocolate for the bulk of the top layer, with some milk chocolate swirling through. Feel free to reverse that, or just use one kind instead of two. 

You could also use different chocolate eggs to decorate your shortbread. They aren't going to be cooked, so it won't affect how the shortbread turns out.

If you're cooking for someone with allergies, check the labels of other ingredients or additions you might use.

Why is it called 'millionaires shortbread'?

The name 'millionaires shortbread' seems to have originated in Scotland. This makes sense, as shortbread was also invented there. In addition, several Scottish recipes dating from the early 19th century involved traditional shortbread topped with extra ingredients. 

However, no one is sure what the name 'millionaires shortbread' refers to. Some historians believe it references the decadent topping, making it a luxurious treat compared to plain shortbread. 

Though some believe the name refers to how 'rich' the treat is. There's even a Scottish referencing it; "The millionaire's shortbread is often richer in calories than the one who tastes is in hard cash".

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