Best Caramel Shortbread Recipes

CARAMEL SHORTBREAD SQUARES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C).
• In a medium bowl, mix together 2/3 cup butter, white sugar, and flour until evenly crumbly. Press into a 9 inch square baking pan. Bake for 20 minutes.
• In a 2 quart saucepan, combine 1/2 cup butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and sweetened condensed milk. Bring to a boil. Continue to boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and beat vigorously with a wooden spoon for about 3 minutes. Pour over baked crust (warm or cool). Cool until it begins to firm.
• Place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 1 minute, then stir and continue to heat and stir at 20 second intervals until chocolate is melted and smooth. Pour chocolate over the caramel layer and spread evenly to cover completely. Chill. Cut into 1 inch squares. These need to be small because they are so rich.

COCONUT PECAN SHORTBREAD COOKIES WITH CARAMEL FILLING

Steps:

• To make the shortbread: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place coconut on a baking sheet, and toast until golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes, stirring halfway through. Transfer the coconut to a cutting board, and finely chop. Transfer to a bowl; set aside.
• Spread the pecans on the baking pan, and toast until fragrant and golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes, rotating pan halfway through. Transfer the pecans to a cutting board, and finely chop. Add to bowl with the coconut.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add vanilla extract, flour, and salt; beat to combine. Stir in coconut and pecans.
• Form the dough into a disk, and wrap in plastic. Transfer to refrigerator, and chill until firm, 30 to 45 minutes.
• Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough 1/4-inch-thick. Using a 2 1/4-inch fluted pastry cutter, cut out 68 rounds. Place the rounds, spaced 1 inch apart, on the prepared baking sheets. Refrigerate dough 5 to 10 minutes. Using a 3/4-inch round aspic cutter, or the large end of a pastry tip, cut out and discard the centers from 34 cookies, making top halves.
• Bake until golden brown, about 12 minutes, rotating baking sheets halfway through baking time. Transfer cookies to a wire rack, and let cool completely. Store in an airtight container, at room temperature until ready to use
• To make the filling: Place the sugar and 3 tablespoons water in a small saucepan. Set over medium-high heat, and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, and cook until dark amber in color, about 5 minutes. Use a pastry brush, dipped in water, to wash down sides of pan to prevent crystallization as the mixture boils. Remove saucepan from the heat, and gradually whisk in the cream and butter. Transfer to a medium bowl, and let cool.
• To assemble the cookies: Spoon or pipe about 1/2 teaspoon caramel in the center of each of the bottom halves, and sandwich both halves together. Drizzle remaining caramel over the tops of the cookies. Let the caramel set at least 2 hours, and up to overnight.

CARAMEL PUDDING TART WITH ALMOND SHORTBREAD CRUST

Steps:

• For crust:
• Butter 9-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom. Combine almonds and 1/4 cup sugar in processor; grind nuts finely. Add flour, powdered sugar, and salt; blend 5 seconds. Add butter and blend, using on/off turns, until coarse meal forms. Add egg yolk and blend until moist clumps form, about 30 seconds. Knead dough into ball. Transfer 1/4 cup dough to small bowl and reserve for another use. Press remaining dough evenly onto bottom and up sides of prepared pan. Pierce bottom all over with fork. Cover pan with foil and freeze crust at least 1 hour and up to 1 day.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake crust uncovered until deep golden brown, checking often and pressing sides and bottom with back of fork during first 15 minutes when crust puffs or bubbles, about 20 minutes total. Cool completely.
• For pudding:
• Place cornstarch and salt in medium bowl. Gradually add 1/4 cup milk, whisking until cornstarch dissolves. Whisk in egg yolks.
• Stir sugar and 1/3 cup water in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves. Bring to boil, brushing down pan sides with wet pastry brush. Boil without stirring until syrup is deep amber, swirling pan occasionally, about 10 minutes. Add 2 cups milk (mixture will bubble). Whisk until caramel bits dissolve. Slowly whisk hot milk mixture into yolk mixture; return to same pan. Whisk until pudding thickens and boils, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Whisk in butter and vanilla. Transfer to crust. Chill uncovered until cold and just firm, at least 3 hours. Do ahead Can be made 1 day ahead.
• For topping:
• Stir 2/3 cup sugar and 1/3 cup water in heavy medium skillet (do not use nonstick) over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves. Bring to boil, brushing down pan sides with wet pastry brush. Boil without stirring until syrup is medium amber color, about 7 minutes. Add almonds and stir to coat evenly with caramel. Immediately scrape coated almonds onto sheet of foil. Working quickly with 2 forks, separate almonds and spread out in single layer. Cool completely. Do ahead Let almonds stand at room temperature up to 6 hours or cover and chill up to 1 day. Break almonds into small clusters before using.
• Press bottom of pan up, releasing tart. Whisk cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla in bowl until peaks form; spread over tart. Sprinkle almond clusters with fleur de sel. Garnish tart with clusters.

MILLIONAIRES SHORTBREAD - CHOCOLATE, GINGER AND CARAMEL SLICES

Steps:

• You will need:.
• A square baking tin, 20cm (8"), greased and base-lined with baking parchment or paper.
• To make the base, process the biscuits until they are like crumbs then stir in the melted butter. Spoon this mixture into the tin and, very lightly, press to make an even layer. Chill for 20 minutes.
• Place the butter and the sugar in a nonstick saucepan over a low heat, stirring until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves. Add the condensed milk and bring gently to the boil, stirring continuously to make a golden caramel, which is thick and yet still coats the back of a spoon.
• Spoon the caramel over the crumb base, cover and leave to to cool for 20 to 30 minutes or until the caramel has thickened.
• Sprinkle the chopped ginger over the caramel base if using. Stir 1 teaspoon of the vegetable oil into each bowl of melted chocolate. Pour the dark chocolate over the caramel, spreading it out to the edges. Repeat with the milk chocolate, then swirl them slightly to create a pattern.
• Leave aside to set. When the chocolate has hardened a little, but before it has set hard, cut into slices, and enjoy with a cup of coffee.
• Hide the remaining slices from all other family members and friends!

SALTED CARAMEL SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, beat 1 1/2 cups butter with electric mixer on high speed until creamy. Beat in sugar and vanilla. On low speed, beat in flour until blended.
• Divide dough in half. Between 2 sheets of waxed paper, roll 1 portion of dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut with 2 1/2-inch round cookie cutter. On ungreased cookie sheet, place cutouts about 2 inches apart. Repeat with second portion of dough.
• Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until set and just barely light golden (do not overbake). Remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks; cool completely.
• In medium microwavable bowl, microwave caramels and milk uncovered on High 2 minutes 30 seconds, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted and smooth. Frost each cookie with about 1 rounded teaspoon caramel mixture.
• In small microwavable bowl, melt chocolate and 1 tablespoon butter uncovered on High 1 minute 30 seconds, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted and smooth. Drizzle chocolate over caramel on each cookie. Sprinkle generously with salt. Let stand until set.

CARAMEL PECAN SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in milk and vanilla. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle., On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut into 2x1-in. strips. Place 1 in. apart on greased baking sheets. , Bake at 325° for 12-14 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool completely., For filling, combine caramels and milk in a large saucepan. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until caramels are melted and smooth. Remove from the heat; stir in the butter, sugar and pecans. Cool for 5 minutes. Spread 1 teaspoon over each cookie. , For icing, in a microwave-safe bowl, melt chips and milk; stir until smooth. Stir in the butter, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Cool for 5 minutes. , Spread 1 teaspoon icing on each cookie; top each with a pecan half. Let stand until set. Store in an airtight container.

CARAMEL SHORTBREAD SQUARES

Steps:

• Mix 2/3 cup butter, 1/4 cup sugar& 1 1/4 cups flour until the mixture is crumbly.
• Pat into a 9" pan.
• Bake at 350F for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile bring the caramel ingredients to a boil and boil for 5 minutes then pour over the shortbread base.
• Cool.
• Melt chocolate in a double boiler and pour over the cooled caramel shortbread Cool- cut into small squares.

PECAN CARAMEL SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spread pecans on a baking pan. Bake until golden and fragrant, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool. Chop roughly, and set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until light in color. With the mixer on low speed, add flour, and mix until just combined.
• Line an 11-by-17-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Press dough into the bottom of baking pan in an even layer. Bake until golden, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, using a microwave or double boiler, heat caramel until liquid; stir in pecans. Spread mixture over the cookie layer. Return pan to oven, and bake until caramel is slightly darkened in color, about 10 minutes. Transfer pan to wire rack to cool. Cut into 2 3/4-by-1/2-inch rectangles.

CARAMELIZED ORANGES WITH CHOCOLATE SHORTBREAD AND CARAMEL ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Place 1 cup of sugar in a medium saucepan and stir in water. Use a pastry brush dipped in water to wash down any sugar crystals on the side of the pan. Place over medium heat and cook without stirring until mixture turns a deep caramel color. Remove from heat and carefully add the milk and cream. Return to heat and stir until caramel is dissolved. Bring to a simmer. Meanwhile, whisk egg yolks and1/4 cup of sugar together.
• Whisking rapidly, add caramel mixture to yolks. Pour mixture back into pan and place over low heat. Stir constantly until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 15 minutes; do not let it come to a simmer. Pour into a bowl, cool and refrigerate until cold. Stir in vanilla. Freeze in an ice-cream machine.
• Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place flour, confectioners' sugar, salt and cocoa into a food processor and pulse. Add egg and pulse until mixture just begins to come together. Press dough together and on a floured surface roll to a thickness of 1/4 inch. Cut into rounds using a 2-inch cookie cutter. Gather and reroll scraps until all the dough is used. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets and bake until set, about 20 to 25 minutes. Cool.
• Preheat broiler. Place orange sections in a baking dish in a single layer and sprinkle with sugar. Broil until sugar browns, about 4 minutes. Place a scoop of ice cream in 6 dishes. Top with oranges and serve with shortbread.

SALTED CARAMEL CHOCOLATE SHORTBREAD BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. To make the shortbread layer: Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt together in a medium bowl. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until well combined, about 2 minutes. With the mixer on low, gradually add the dry ingredients and beat just until combined. Transfer the dough to the prepared pan and press into an even layer over the bottom (it'll be a fairly thin layer). Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and cool completely. To make the caramel layer: Combine the butter, sugar, corn syrup and sweetened condensed milk in a medium saucepan. Set the pan over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the butter is melted. Increase the heat to medium-high, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens and turns a light caramel color. This may take 10 minutes or more, so be patient. Pour the caramel mixture over the cooled shortbread and spread in an even layer. Allow to cool completely, then chill briefly (I stuck mine in the fridge overnight, but you just want to chill enough that it won't melt when you add the warm chocolate in the next step). To make the chocolate layer: Add the chocolate, corn syrup, and butter to a heatproof bowl and set over a pan of simmering water. Heat, stirring occasionally, until everything is melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy. Pour the chocolate over the chilled caramel and spread into an even layer with an offset spatula. Let cool for a few minutes, then sprinkle the top with the fleur de sel (if using). Let the chocolate set completely before slicing and serving.

PINE NUT CARAMEL SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Pat onto the bottom of a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Prick dough thoroughly with a fork., Bake at 375° for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Reduce temperature to 325°., In a large saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, honey, sugar, cream and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until a candy thermometer reads 234° (soft-ball stage). Remove from the heat; stir in pine nuts and vanilla. Spread evenly over crust., Bake for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly. Place pan on a wire rack., Sprinkle the top with coarse salt if desired. Cool completely. Cut into bars. Store in an airtight container.

CARAMEL CHOCOLATE SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Grease and line the bottom of a 23-cm/9inch shallow square cake tin. Place the butter, flour and sugar in a food processor ans process until it starts to blind together. Press into the pan and level the top. Bake in a preheated oven, 180'C,350'F/Gas Mark 4, for 20-25 minutes or until golden.
• Meanwhile, make the caramel. Place the butter, sugar, syrup and condensed milk in a heavy-based saucepan. Heat gently until the sugar has melted. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 6-8 minutes, stirring, or until very thick. Pour over the shortbread and chill in the refridgerator for 2 hours, or until firm.
• Melt the chocolate and allow to cool a little, then spread over the caramel. Chill in the refridgerator for 2 hours, or until set. Cut the shortbread into 12 pieces using a sharp knife.

MILLIONAIRES SHORTBREAD OR CREAMY CARAMEL AND OAT SQUARES

Steps:

• Beat the butter and sugar until fluffy, and then beat in the flour and oats.
• Press the mixture into an 8" square tin, and bake at Gas mark 4 for 25 minutes until golden. Allow to cool.
• For the caramel filling, mix all of the ingredients in a pan until well combined and boil over a low heat until thick-about 3-4 minutes.
• Pour over the biscuit base and leave to set.
• Melt the chocolate and pour over the caramel, leave to set, but just before it gets too hard, mark out your portions. If you do it when completely set, the chocolate shatters.

SALTED-CARAMEL SHORTBREAD BARS

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9x13 baking pan with foil, extending over the sides. Spray the foil liberally with cooking spray and set aside.
• 2. In a mixing bowl beat together butter and sugar until creamy and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in powdered sugar and vanilla. Lastly, mix in flour (4 cups) until soft dough forms. Press HALF of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Refrigerate the remaining dough.
• 3. Bake the crust for 15 minutes . Remove from the oven. In a small bowl combine caramel sauce, 1/4 teaspoon sea salt, and remaining 2 Tablespoons of flour. Mix well. Pour evenly over cooked crust.
• 4. Crumble the refrigerated dough on top of caramel layer. Cover the caramel completely and use ALL of the dough (caramel will bubble up ... pay close attention to the edges). Sprinkle generously with sea salt. (I suggest tasting the caramel sauce to gauge how much additional salt is desired.)
• 5. Return to oven and continue baking for an additional 25-30 minutes or until golden brown (very light) and the caramel is bubbly. Cool completely before cutting in to squares.

CARAMEL-APPLE SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat butter, confectioners' sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon until blended. Gradually beat in flour. Stir in 1/3 cup apple chips., Divide dough in half. Shape each into a disk; wrap and refrigerate 1 hour or until firm enough to roll., Preheat oven to 350°. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 2-in. apple-shaped cookie cutter. Place 1 in. apart on greased baking sheets., Bake 9-11 minutes or until light brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely., In a small saucepan, melt caramels with cream and remaining cinnamon over medium heat, stirring frequently. Drizzle over cookies. If desired, sprinkle with additional apple chips. Let stand until set.

SALTED CARAMEL SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, then line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on 2 sides; butter the parchment.
• Beat 2 1/2 sticks butter, the granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Reduce the mixer speed to low; add the flour and beat until just incorporated.
• Transfer the dough to the prepared baking dish and set a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface. Press into an even layer, then peel off the plastic. Bake until golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool slightly, then remove from the pan using the parchment. Cut into triangles.
• Make the caramel: Combine the remaining 1/2 stick butter, the brown sugar, corn syrup, heavy cream, espresso powder and kosher salt in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until a candy thermometer registers 235 degrees F, about 6 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining 1 teaspoon vanilla and the vinegar. Let cool 5 minutes, then drizzle over the shortbread. Sprinkle with sea salt.

CARAMEL SHORTCAKE OR MILLIONAIRE'S SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• BASE (first 3 ingredients):.
• Cream butter and sugar.
• Add the flour and stir to make a mixture that is soft and will go together when squashed.
• Lightly knead and then roll out or place into a deep Swiss roll tin.
• Press into place with the palm of your hand until even.
• Prick all over with a fork.
• Bake in the oven for 25 minutes gas 4.
• Cool in the tin.
• FILLING (middle four ingredients):.
• Place the butter, sugar, syrup, and condensed milk into a pan and bring slowly to a boil.
• Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
• Once boiling keep on a slow boil stirring all the time for about 5 to 7 minutes.
• Caramel should be thick and golden.
• Allow to cool.
• When cool pour over the biscuit mixture and leave to set.
• TOPPING (last 2 ingredients):.
• Melt the chocolate and butter over a pan of simmering water.
• Spread over top of the caramel layer.
• Cut into squares or fingers once set.
• Do not be put off by the stages; very easy and worth the wait. It looks like you have been in the kitchen and slaving over the cooker for hours. You will get compliments with this one.

CARAMEL MACCHIATO SHORTBREAD BARS

Steps:

• Dissolve coffee in hot water.
• Beat butter, coffee and sugar until fluffy.
• Stir together flour and toffee bits.
• Mix into butter mixture the flour and toffee bits half a cup at a time until combined.
• Press dough into a 9x13-inch pan.
• Bake in 350°F oven for about 20 minutes or until golden.
• Remove from oven and cool in pan.
• Cut into bars and enjoy.

PECAN CARAMEL MILLIONAIRE'S SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4 10 minutes before baking. Lightly oil and line an 18 cm x 28 cm tin with greaseproof or baking paper.
• Cream together the 125 g butter, peanut butter 75 g caster sugar until light. Sift in the cornflour and flour together and mix in to make a smooth dough.
• Press the mixture into the prepared tin and prick all over with a fork. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, until just golden. Remove from the oven.
• Meanwhile for the topping, combine the 200 g caster sugar, 125 g butter, golden syrup, glucose, water and milk in a heavy based saucepan.
• Stir constantly over a low heat without boiling until the sugar has dissolved. Increase the heat, boil steadily, stirring constantly, for about 10 minutes until the mixture turns a golden caramel colour.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the pecans. Pour over the shortbread base immediately. Allow to cool, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
• Break the chocolate into small pieces and put into a heatproof bowl with the 1 tbsp butter.
• Place over a saucepan of barely simmering water, ensuring that the bowl does not come into contact with the water. Leave until melted, then stir together well.
• Remove the shortbread from the refrigeratror and pour the chocolate evenly over the top, spreading thinly to cover. Leave to set, cut into squares and serve.

SHORTBREAD CARAMEL BROWNIE BARS

Steps:

• Cut 1 cup of the butter into chunks. In the bowl of a food processor, combine 2°C of the flour, 1/2°C sugar, the cornstarch and the butter chunks. Whirl until dough comes together. Press evenly over the bottom of a buttered 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Bake in a 325° oven until top feels dry and is just beginning to brown, about 25 minutes. Let cool completely.
• Meanwhile, unwrap caramels and place them in a microwave-safe bowl with milk. Cook in microwave on full power for 1 minute. Stir mixture, then cook and stir at 30-second intervals until melted and smooth, about 3 minutes longer. Spread caramel mixture evenly over cooled crust and chill until firm, about 20 minutes.
• In a large bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water (bottom of bowl should not touch water), stir chocolate and remaining 1/2°C butter often until melted and smooth. Remove bowl from over water and, with a whisk or a mixer on medium speed, beat in remaining 3/4°C sugar, eggs and vanilla until well blended. Stir in remaining 1/2°C flour, baking powder and salt until well blended.
• Pour chocolate mixture over caramel layer and use a knife or spatula to spread level, completely covering caramel.
• Bake in a 350° oven until a wooden skewer inserted into the chocolate layer comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool completely, then cut into 24 bars.