Gooey Vegan Millionaire Shortbread Recipe

This vegan millionaires shortbread recipe is packed with healthy, wholesome ingredients, refined sugar free and so simple to make.

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Bite sized squares of crumbly shortbread topped with a sweet and gooey caramel layer and vegan dark chocolate. Plus, they are the ideal snack when you’re in need of something sweet – or just because!

For this recipe all you need are some staple plant-based ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. An amazing recipe you can batch make in advance and store in the freezer until you need it. Perfect for a vegan afternoon tea with friends!

Equipment You’ll Need

• Square Cake Tin (Or a loaf tin if you want a thicker crust)
• Large Mixing Bowl
• Parchment Paper
• Food Processor
• Airtight Container
• Sharp Knife
• Heatproof Bowl

Ingredients For The Crumbly Shortbread Base

• Maple Syrup (or liquid sweetener of your choice)
• Sea Salt
• Almond Butter
• Almond Flour (or almond meal)
• Vanilla Extract
• Melted Coconut Oil

The Ingredients For The Caramel Sauce

• Dates
• Nut Butter (Cashew, almond, peanut)
• Date Water
• Maple Syrup
• Sea Salt

Ingredients For The Chocolate layer

• Melted Coconut Oil
• Sea Salt
• Vegan Dark Chocolate Chips (or squares)
• (Mixed nuts optional)

How To Make This Vegan Millionaire Shortbread Recipe

To make this vegan caramel slice, it’s better to see it as 3 separate bakes instead of one as a whole. It makes it seem a lot less complicated – not that it is really.

The Shortbread Cookie Crust

Starting with the shortbread layer, line a baking tin with parchment paper and set to one side.

Combine all of the base ingredients in a large bowl and mix until you have a crumble-like texture that sticks together when pressed together.

Then transfer your dough to the base of the prepared tin and press down to form an even layer.

Put your tin into the freezer while you move on to the caramel layer.

The Vegan Caramel Filling

For the gooey filling, start by combining all of the caramel sauce ingredients in your food processor, or blender.

For a thicker layer of caramel, don’t add in the date water. However, to make it creamier, add in the date water a little at a time until you get a pourable consistency.

Then pour out on top of the base layer and smooth over using a spoon or spatula.

Place into the freezer while you make the chocolate layer.

The Chocolate Topping

Melt the chocolate and coconut oil in a bain marie over a low-medium heat. This should take around 10-15 minutes to melt fully.

Then pour over the set caramel. You will need to do this quickly as the chocolate will set fast.

Once the chocolate has been smoothed over, sprinkle on top some sea salt and place back in the freezer until fully set.

How To Cut Into Squares

When it comes to cutting these into little squares, or bite sized pieces, for the best results, you want to use a sharp knife that’s been in hot water. This will help the knife slide through the chocolate top layer without crushing the rest of it.

How To Store The Caramel Shortbread

Keep your vegan dessert bars in an airtight container either in the fridge or in the freezer.

They are best kept in the freezer to keep the chocolate layer solid, however, take them out of the freezer a few minutes you want to eat one (or two) so they aren’t so solid.

Recipe Notes

The size of tin you use will determine the thickness of the caramel squares. Use a bread loaf tin if you want thicker bars, or a slimmer baking tray for more of a slice than a bar.

Like It Spicy?

If you don’t mind a little spice, try adding in a little chilli powder to the chocolate layer as this brings out the flavour and depth of the chocolate even more.

Chocolate Ganache

To make the chocolate layer more of a chocolate ganache, add in a tablespoon of nut butter – peanut butter caramel is delicious, although very rich! This will make it more gooey and softer in texture. Ideal for chocolate lovers!

Without Coconut Oil

You can also make these vegan millionaire bars without using the coconut oil in the top layer. This will reduce the calories per square, however, the chocolate won’t be a solid.

This vegan shortbread would make the ideal homemade gift idea in a Christmas hamper for friends and family.

We’d love to know if you tried to make these vegan millionaire’s shortbread bars in the comments below.

Have you tried this vegan gingerbread & chocolate chip loaf recipe yet?