Name: Vegan Salted Caramel Millionaires Shortbread
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 125 g Vegan butter alternative (softened, like Stork baking block or Flora Plant); 50 g Icing sugar; 175 g Plain flour; 125 g Vegan butter alternative (like Stork baking block or Flora Plant); 125 g Light brown soft sugar; 370 g Carnation vegan condensed milk alternative; 5 tbsp Vegan soya cream alternative; 3 tbsp Cornflour; Pinch of sea salt; 200 g Vegan dark chocolate

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AD. All opinions are my own.

This Vegan Salted Caramel Millionaires Shortbread is made up of three delicious layers. On the base there is crumbly shortbread, in the middle a sweet salted caramel filling, and on top is smooth vegan dark chocolate. Caramel, chocolate and shortbread is a combination you can't go wrong with - they practically belong together! This recipe uses only nine ingredients and it's a delicious treat to enjoy alongside a hot cup of tea or coffee.

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To make this Vegan Salted Caramel Millionaires Shortbread, I have used Carnation vegan condensed milk alternative. It’s made with simple ingredients like oat and rice flour, sugar and sunflower oil. Plus it’s also approved by the Vegan Society as suitable for anyone following a vegan diet. You can use this vegan condensed milk alternative to make many of your favourite Carnation recipes vegan.

Ingredient Tips & Equipment Information

Make sure your vegan butter alternative is at room temperature before you start baking the shortbread.
I used an unsalted vegan butter alternative for both the shortbread and caramel layers. This recipe will work with a salted vegan butter alternative. However, you may not need the salt for the caramel layer if you use a salted vegan butter alternative.
You must use plain flour (also known as all purpose flour) for the shortbread, self raising flour will make the shortbread rise, which you don't want to happen.
I used vegan dark chocolate for the topping, you could also use vegan alternatives to milk or white chocolate if you prefer.
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 Vegan Salted Caramel Millionaires Shortbread

To make the shortbread base, mix the plain flour and icing sugar together in a mixing bowl. Add the vegan butter alternative in chunks, and rub it into the flour and sugar mixture using your fingers until a dough forms.

Press the shortbread dough into a lined 20cm (8") square tin. Bake it for 20 minutes and leave it to cool. Then make the caramel. Place the vegan butter alternative, light brown soft sugar and Carnation vegan condensed milk alternative into a heavy bottomed non-stick pan. Mix the cornflour and soya cream alternative together first in a small bowl, then add them to the pan too.

Heat the mixture on low until the vegan butter alternative is fully melted and everything is mixed together, then bring the caramel to the boil. Boil for 5-7 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove it from the heat and pour it over the shortbread base. Leave the caramel to cool fully. Melt the vegan dark chocolate, and pour it over the caramel layer. Use a palette knife or the back of a spoon to spread it out evenly. Leave it to set fully before slicing the vegan millionaires shortbread into squares.

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

How do you know if the caramel is ready?

The best way is to use a sugar or candy thermometer. Once it reaches 116C then the caramel is ready to take off the boil and pour over the shortbread. Sugar thermometers aren't as pricey as you might expect, you can get them for under £10! If you aren't able to get hold of a thermometer, you can do a simple test instead - drop a little bit of the caramel into ice cold water (have a small bowl of it ready before you start making the caramel). Remove the caramel from the water and roll it between your fingers, it should form a firm non sticky ball. If it is still very soft, keep boiling the caramel for another minute or two.

How should you melt the chocolate?

I usually melt chocolate in the microwave as it is the quickest way. Blast the chocolate on high for 30 seconds, then stir it. Then continue blasting it in 10 second bursts, stirring between each one, until the chocolate is melted. You can also melt chocolate in a glass bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Make sure the bowl is not touching the water when you do this.

What size tin do you need for this recipe?

This recipe is for a 20cm (8") square tin and will make 16 pieces. The tin needs to have deep sides, at least 2". If you want to use a 23cm (9") square tin, I would recommend increasing the ingredient amounts by 25%. If you do make it in a larger 23cm tin, the serving size will also increase to 20 pieces.

What is the best way to slice millionaires shortbread?

The best way that I have found to slice this millionaires shortbread is to use a large sharp knife, ideally one that is longer in length than the shortbread. I also find it easier to cut it at room temperature, when it is cold the chocolate is more likely to crack. Gently score where you want to cut, then saw the knife gently into the chocolate layer. Keep sawing and gently pressing down with the knife, once you're through the chocolate layer the rest will be easy to cut.

How should the millionaires shortbread be stored?

When stored in the fridge, they will keep for about a week (in theory! They never last that long in my house!) The caramel is a nicer texture to eat at room temperature, so I recommend bringing them to room temperature before tucking in.

Who is this recipe suitable for?

This recipe is suitable for vegetarians and vegans, it is also egg free. If you have a dairy allergy, please be aware that the Carnation Vegan Condensed Milk Alternative is produced in a factory which handles milk, so while every effort has been made to ensure no milk is in the final product, it cannot be guaranteed. Please do check the labels for all of the ingredients that you use if you do have an allergy or intolerance.

More tips for making the Vegan Salted Caramel Millionaires Shortbread:

I find it easier to press the shortbread dough into the tin using my fingers, but you can also use a flat bottomed glass or measuring cup dusted with a little flour to press it down gently.
Make sure to stir the caramel constantly while it is boiling as it can catch and burn very quickly.
The Carnation vegan condensed milk alternative is available from Waitrose and Morrisons.

Troubleshooting

My number one tip for getting the best results is to read through this whole page of tips and recommendations before starting, and follow the recipe exactly. 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!

Recommended equipment & ingredients

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