Vegan Millionaire Shortbread is made with a buttery shortbread cookie base, gooey vegan caramel, and chocolate ganache. It’s an easy cookie bar that’s deliciously rich and indulgent!

close up on a millionaire shortbread bar with a bite out of it.

Millionaire shortbread are often enjoyed around the holidays. They are basically a gourmet homemade twix bar!

For more delicious dessert bars, check out these Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars, Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars and Lemon Bars.

When you really want to go all out, gift your friends and family Vegan Millionaire Shortbread. Each bite of the buttery shortbread cookie base, ooey gooey caramel filling, and sea salt-topped chocolate ganache is guaranteed to put a smile on anyone’s face. You could even celebrate the fact that they’re made without any dairy or eggs!

These ultra rich cookie bars will quickly become a new holiday favorite because all you need are basic ingredients and a few hours to let them chill and firm up in the fridge. It’s the ultimate indulgent dessert!

close up on a cookie bar with layers of shortbread, caramel, and chocolate.

Ingredients needed (with substitutions)

All purpose flour – To make the shortbread cookie crust. For gluten free, use a gluten free all purpose flour instead.
Vegan butter – A must-have for melt in your mouth shortbread and super smooth vegan caramel.
Granulated sugar
Vegan sweetened condensed milk – You can easily make your own vegan condensed milk at home or use storebought coconut condensed milk instead.
Brown sugar
Light corn syrup – Try not to skip this or else your caramel sauce may be runny. If you must omit it, it will still work though.
Vanilla extract
Vegan chocolate chips – Enjoy Life, Guittard, and Trader Joe’s brand chocolate chips are all vegan-friendly. If you’re having a hard time finding vegan chocolate chips, you can always use a chopped up dairy free chocolate bar instead.
Coconut cream – Or vegan heavy cream or an unsweetened non dairy creamer.
Salt

How to make vegan millionaire shortbread

This is simply an overview with photos. The full, printable recipe is in the recipe card below.

First, make the shortbread cookie crust by creaming the butter and sugar together in the bowl of an electric mixer. Gradually add the flour and salt, and keep mixing until you end up with a crumbly dough.

Transfer the dough to a parchment paper-lined pan and press it into an even layer. Bake until the edges are golden brown. Leave it to cool while you make the caramel.

Add the vegan condensed milk, butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup to a saucepan over medium high heat. Keep stirring until the butter melts and everything is combined. Once it boils, reduce the heat and let it simmer.

Keep stirring until it has a rich caramel color and begins to pull away from the sides of the pot. Don’t cut this time short or else the caramel won’t set and your bars will be a mess! A properly made caramel will thicken up in the pan, and even more so as it cools.

Once it’s ready, take it off the heat and stir in the vanilla. Pour the caramel over the shortbread crust and spread it into an even layer. Place the bars in the fridge to set.

caramel being poured into dish with parchment paper lining it

Melt the chocolate chips and coconut cream together in 30 second intervals in the microwave. Once it’s completely smooth, spread it over the chilled caramel layer. Sprinkle sea salt on top and let it chill for 30 minutes in the fridge.

pouring melted chocolate over caramel in a metal baking dish.

For perfectly cut millionaire shortbread, run hot water over a sharp chef’s knife. Slice into squares and enjoy!

millionaire shortbread cut into small squares.

Frequently asked questions

Why are they called millionaire shortbread? Because these cookie bars are so rich and decadent!
Can they be made gluten free? To make gluten free millionaire shortbread, replace the all purpose flour with gluten free all purpose flour.
Can you make these in a 9×13 baking dish? Yes! Just double the recipe and layer the bars in a 9×13 baking dish instead of the 8×8.
How long do they last? The bars will last in an airtight container in the fridge for about 1 week.
Can you freeze millionaire bars? You can! Just let them thaw for a few minutes at room temperature first so they’re easier to eat.

Want even more vegan dessert bars?

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Read my full disclosure here.

About Nora