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    Home » Desserts » Shortcut Millionaire Cookie Bars

    Shortcut Millionaire Cookie Bars

    Published: Nov 29, 2017 · Modified: Oct 21, 2020 by Linda Warren

    Jump to Recipe

    Delicious Shortcut Millionaire Cookie Bars have all the delicious buttery shortbread, creamy caramel and rich chocolate flavors that you look forward to in a millionaire bar but without all the hassle. Better make a double batch 'cause who wouldn't want these for Christmas?

    Stacked shortbread cookies on white table with caramels around.

    Millionaire Shortbread

    I'm in full holiday bake mode now that Thanksgiving is over and the first cookies of the season are for a special cause. Each year I have joined my fellow food bloggers to participate in the The Sweetest Season fundraiser. It is like a virtual Christmas Cookie Bake Sale to raise money for battling pediatric cancer. We have each donated to this cause and feel like we are making our own holidays a little brighter by helping to find a cure for this terrible disease. 

    Shortcut Millionaire Cookie Bars closeup 1 | 2 Cookin Mamas

    I've made some interesting cookies for this event in the past, like Salted Chocolate Caramel Cookies, Mint Chip Cookies and Chocolate Chip Macaroons. Today I thought about bringing you the popular Millionaire Shortbread Cookies but with a twist. These, for the most part, use packaged ingredients, a microwave and a little sea salt. That's it! Sound good?

    Check Out The Easy Steps To Make Millionaire Shortbread Cookies

    Mixing shortbread dough in large bowl.

    First make the shortbread dough, which has to be the easiest cookie dough around, 'cause it only takes 4 ingredients. Use a high quality butter, that's where most of the flavor comes from, and beat with brown sugar, flour and vanilla extract until it begins to resemble a thick dough. Once beaten I like to finish using my hands until it sticks together well.

    Shortcut Millionaire Cookie Bars shortbread prep 1 | 2 Cookin Mamas

    Now pat into a baking pan that has been lined with buttered parchment paper. Bake.

    Shortcut Millionaire Cookie Bars baked shortbread | 2 Cookin Mamas

    Perfect! Let it cool. 

    Shortcut Millionaire Cookie Bars caramel layer | 2 Cookin Mamas

    Next melt the caramels in a microwave safe dish with a little heavy cream. Pour over shortbread. Place in refrigerator for 30 minutes.

    Shortcut Millionaire Cookie Bars chocolate layer | 2 Cookin Mamas

    Melt some good dark chocolate, or you can use semi-sweet chocolate chips, with a little cream and pour over cooled caramel. Done and done.

    Shortcut Millionaire Cookie Bars closeup | 2 Cookin Mamas

    Let cool and cut into squares. It's like a cookie and candy bar in one. Believe me, they'll be the hit of your cookie tray!

    Shortcut Millionaire Cookie Bars bite | 2 Cookin Mamas

    How about a bite? Ohhhh, that's so good! I have to make several batches since I usually include these in my cookie boxes for gifts to the neighbors and like to have some at home for when the family arrives. They're ooey, gooey delicious and a cinch to make. That's a win-win for the holidays! Hope this makes your season a little sweeter! Enjoy!

    More Holiday Deliciousness!

    Nutella Puppy Chow from 2CM

    Peanut Brittle Cookies from 2CM

    Raspberry Pinwheel Cookies from Upstate Ramblings

    Coconut Lime Crisps from 2CM

    Love quick & easy recipes? Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest & Twitter for all the latest recipe inspiration! Plus join my email list here and receive a free e-book.

     

    Shortcut Millionaire Cookie Bars square | 2 Cookin Mamas

    SHORTCUT MILLIONAIRE COOKIE BARS

    Shortcut Millionaire Cookie Bars have all the buttery shortbread, creamy caramel & rich chocolate you expect from millionaire bars but without the hassle.
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    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes minutes
    Servings: 36 cookie bars
    Calories: 156kcal
    Author: Linda Warren

    Ingredients

    Shortbread layer

    • 2 cups flour
    • ½ cups light brown sugar, packed
    • 1 cup 2 sticks cold butter (use premium for any shortbread cookie)
    • ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
    • Pinch of salt

    Caramel layer

    • 2 cups or about 2 11-oz packages caramels
    • 3 Tablespoons heavy cream

    Chocolate layer

    • 12 oz dark chocolate (I like to use Ghiradelli 72% cocoa bars)
    • 6 Tablespoons heavy cream

    Instructions

    Shortbread layer

    • Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter the bottom and sides of a 9x13-inch baking pan. Cut a piece of parchment paper to cover the bottom and come up the sides of the baking dish to make it easier to lift out after it has been cooked. Butter the parchment paper as well.
    • In a large bowl of an electric mixer, stir together flour and sugar. Add butter and vanilla extract and beat until it begins to resemble dough. I like to mix it well and then squeeze it with my hands until it is well blended and sticks together.
    • Pat into a flat layer in the bottom of the baking pan.
    • Bake for 35 minutes, rotating ¼ turn halfway through cooking time. Remove and let cool on wire rack.

    Caramel layer

    • In a large microwave-proof measuring cup or bowl, heat caramels and cream in 30-second increments, stirring between each increment, until caramels are melted and mixture is smooth. It takes about 2-3 minutes.
    • Pour over shortbread.
    • Place in refrigerator for about 30 minutes or until caramel has set.

    Chocolate layer

    • In a large microwave-proof measuring cup or bowl, mix chocolate and cream together and heat in microwave in 30 second increments, stirring between each increment, until chocolate has melted and mixture is smooth. It takes about 1-½ minutes.
    • Pour over caramel layer.
    • Let cool.
    • Use parchment paper to lift cookies out of pan and onto a cutting board. Immediately cut into 1-½" x 2" bars with a very sharp knife. Store in refrigerator.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 156kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 61mg | Potassium: 97mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 163IU | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg

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    Hey, I’m Linda, the recipe creator, photographer and cocktail lover at 2 Cookin Mamas. Here you’ll find easy recipes that are not only delicious but can get you out of the kitchen ASAP. Come and join me and let me take you on a tasty trip through your kitchen. Thanks for stopping by! Learn more about me

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