Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Millionaire’s shortbread is a brilliant triple decker dessert.

On bottom, a buttery shortbread made with toasted pecans.

In the middle, a rich, thick, and creamy caramel that has a just-right saltiness.

Southern Living Millionaire Shortbread sliced and ready to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Lastly, the caramel is topped with a silky chocolate ganache.

If you’re a fan of chocolate and caramel, also considermillionaire candyandhomemade turtles.

Learn how to make millionaire’s shortbread, and enjoy it for your holiday dessert trays.

Southern Living Millionaire Shortbread ingredients

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

In fact, chilling between each layer is important.

)all-purpose flour

1/3cup(about 1 1/3 oz.

)powdered sugar

1/2cupchopped toastedpecans

1/2tsp.table salt

3/4cup(6 oz.)

Southern Living Millionaire Shortbread pulsing the crust mixture in the food processor

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

coldunsalted butter, cubed

Cooking spray

Caramel Layer:

1(14-oz.

)can sweetened condensed milk

1cup packedlight brown sugar

1/2cup(4 oz.

Add butter, and pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal, 8 or 9 pulses.

Southern Living Millionaire Shortbread lining the pan with foil and greasing it

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Press flour mixture evenly and firmly into bottom of prepared baking pan.

Bake crust:

Bake in preheated oven until lightly browned, 18 to 22 minutes.

Let cool completely on a wire rack, about 30 minutes.

Southern Living Millionaire Shortbread pressing the crust mixture into the pan

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla.

Immediately pour over cooled Crust, and spread evenly using a small offset spatula.

Let cool completely, about 2 hours.

Southern Living Millionaire Shortbread crust after baking

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Prepare the Chocolate Layer:

Place chopped chocolate in a medium-size microwaveable bowl.

Spread chocolate evenly over cooled Caramel Layer.

Let stand 5 minutes; sprinkle with flaky sea salt, as desired.

Southern Living Millionaire Shortbread preparing the caramel

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Chill shortbread until Chocolate Layer is just set, about 10 minutes.

Cut shortbread in half crosswise to create 2 (6 1/2- x 9-inch) rectangles.

Cut each rectangle in half to form 4 (3 1/4- x 9-inch) rectangles.

Southern Living Millionaire Shortbread spreading the caramel layer over the crust

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Cut each rectangle crosswise into 8 equal pieces.

Southern Living Millionaire Shortbread adding the melted chocolate to the pan

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Millionaire Shortbread sprinkling the cookies with salt

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Millionaire Shortbread slicing the cookies

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox