Name: Jaffa Cake Millionaire's Shortbread
Prep time: 60 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 200 min
Ingredients: 200 g Butter (softened, unsalted); 80 g Caster sugar; 225 g Plain flour; 50 g Dark chocolate chips; 170 g Butter (unsalted); 75 g Granulated sugar; 80 g Golden syrup; 397 g Condensed milk ((one tin)); 2 tsp Orange extract; 225 g Dark chocolate; 12 1/2 Jaffa Cakes

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I have to admit, when I came up with this Jaffa Cake Millionaire's Shortbread recipe (and even more so when I tasted it) I gave myself a big pat on the back! Because, this recipe is epic!! Let's break it down: buttery shortbread with dark chocolate chips, a gooey orange caramel, smooth dark chocolate and finally, Jaffa Cakes! If you've not had a Jaffa Cake before, they are a British snack involving a layer of cake, with an orange jelly, covered in dark chocolate. They are super popular and the debate over whether they are a biscuit or not is a common topic. Combining them with another layered treat, Millionaire's Shortbread, is the ultimate indulgence!

Ingredient Tips & Equipment Information

For the shortbread base, the butter will need to be at room temperature before you start making it.
For the best flavour, make sure to use a good quality orange extract and not an essence.
I used unsalted butter for this recipe, and I really recommend using proper butter (not a baking spread) if you can for the best flavour.
I use granulated sugar for the caramel, but you can also use caster sugar (superfine sugar).
Golden syrup is sold all over the world, so check the international section in your supermarket if you're not based in the UK. You can also buy it online from Amazon. If you can't get hold of it, light corn syrup is the closest thing to it. You can also use light brown sugar, your caramel will look different and have slightly different texture - but it will still be delicious!
I use dark chocolate chips for the shortbread base and the chocolate topping, but you can use milk or even white chocolate if your prefer.
For more answers to Millionaire's Shortbread questions, check out my original Millionaire's Shortbread recipe!
Although I provide cup measurements, I highly recommend weighing your ingredients out using digital kitchen scales*. It is the most accurate way to measure ingredients and will ensure the best results. Digital scales are very low cost and can be purchased for around £12 ($16.50) .
For teaspoon (tsp) and tablespoon (tbsp) measurements, please use measuring spoons* and not the type of spoons you eat with. Again this will ensure accuracy and provide the best results.

For the full recipe with measurements, head to the recipe card at the end of this post.

How to make Jaffa Cake Millionaire's Shortbread

To make the shortbread, mix the butter and sugar together, then add the flour and chocolate chips and form a rough dough. Press it into the bottom of a lined square tin using your fingers or the back of a spoon, then bake it for 20 minutes or until lightly golden around the edges.

For the caramel layer, melt butter, sugar, golden syrup and condensed milk together in a pan on a low heat. Then boil it for around 6 minutes on a gas hob (or simmer for 10-12 minutes on an induction hob), stirring it constantly, until it is dark golden and thick.

When the caramel is ready, mix in the orange extract, then pour the caramel over the shortbread and put it in the fridge to set. Once the caramel is set, pour melted dark chocolate over the top and add the Jaffa Cakes. Leave the chocolate to set before slicing.

How should the millionaire's shortbread be stored and can it be frozen?

You can store millionaire's shortbread either at room temperature in an airtight container in a cool place, or in the fridge. The chocolate and caramel will be softer and easier to bite into at room temperature, and both will be firmer if stored in the fridge. Either way, it will keep for about 1 week. You can freeze millionaire's shortbread, wrap it well and freeze for up to 3 months. Sometimes the chocolate can get a white fat bloom on it after being in the freezer, it's still safe to eat but it doesn't look as nice!

What is the best way to cut up millionaire's shortbread?

To cut the millionaire's shortbread into neat slices, it is best to do this when it is at room temperature. If you do it straight from the fridge, the chocolate on top could crack, and will be quite solid so will press into the caramel mking it ooze out. At room temperature, and using a large sharp knife (ideally a knife that is bigger in length than the length of the shortbread), and gently cutting through worked well for me.

Why is it called millionaire's shortbread?

This indulgent traybake treat is known as millionaire's shortbread in the UK, but in other parts of the word it can also be called a caramel slice, or a chocolate caramel slice. It is thought to have originated in Scotland, but it has a lot of history in Australia too. There is no definitive answer on how it got it's name, but it is presumed to be because it is so indulgent and rich.

Can the millionaire's shortbread be made gluten or dairy free?

Yes! For gluten free you can replace the plain flour with a gluten free plain flour blend. You may also like to add ¼ tsp Xantham Gum for better texture. You will also need to replace the jaffa cakes with a gluten free version as they contain gluten. Unfortunately this recipe is not suitable for making dairy free.

Can you make this recipe by hand or do you need an electric mixer?

I like to use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment to make the shortbread dough, but it's not essential and it can absolutely be done by hand too with a wooden spoon or spatula. Or you can also make the shortbread in a food processor.

How do you know when the caramel is done?

After boiling the caramel for around 6 minutes, it will have turned a darker golden colour and gotten thicker too. If you want to test if it's done, put a teaspoon in the freezer before you start making it. When you think the caramel is ready, drip some of it onto the cold spoon. If it sets on the spoon then the caramel is ready! If not, keep boiling for another minute and test again. It's really important to stir it constantly while it is boiling, I find it best to use a silicone spatula then you can scrape the bottom of the pan as you stir. This stops any of the caramel from catching and burning. If you do notice any small burnt bits in your caramel, you can pour it through a fine metal sieve to remove them.

Can this recipe be made in a different sized tin?

This recipe is for an 8" square tin. You can make it in a 9" square tin too, however as a 9" square tin is 25% bigger than an 8" square tin, the layers of shortbread, caramel and chocolate will be thinner. The shortbread won't need as long to bake and you'll also need a few more Jaffa Cakes to cover the top. You also have the option of increasing each of the ingredient amounts by 25% for a 9" square tin.

More tips for making the Jaffa Cake Millionaire's Shortbread:

I used dark chocolate for the chocolate layer, you could also use milk chocolate or even white chocolate too!
Do not try and cheat and use a ready made caramel for the filling - it will not set and you'll end up with a gooey mess!
If you can't get hold of Jaffa Cakes, this recipe will still be yummy without them. Or, you could try my Homemade Jaffa Cakes recipe.

Troubleshooting

If you have any questions about this recipe, or if something went wrong and you need help, please use the comment form below and I will get back to you. You can also get in touch with me on my Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. I'd love to hear from you!

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