Caramel shortbread

{{Infobox prepared food

| name = Caramel shortbread

| image = Millionaire's shortbread.jpg

| image_size = 190px

| caption =

| alternate_name = Caramel squares, caramel slice, millionaire's shortbread, millionaire's slice, chocolate caramel shortbread, Wellington squares

| national_cuisine = Australia, Scotland, New Zealand

| course = Dessert

| type = Biscuit

| served =

| main_ingredient = Shortbread, caramel, milk chocolate

| variations = Gluten-free, vegan, white chocolate, Anzac biscuit, espresso, hazelnut, Raisin, Peanut butter

| calories =

| other =

| cookbook = Caramel Squares

| commons = Category: Millionaire's Shortbread

}}

Caramel shortbread, also known as caramel squares,{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XPNgBwAAQBAJ&dq=%22millionaire's+shortbread%22+oxford&pg=PT260 |title=The Oxford Companion to Sugar and Sweets |date=2015-04-01 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-931362-4 |language=en |quote=...the layered combination of soft caramel and chocolate topping set upon a shortbread base, known as caramel squares, or sometimes as millionaire's shortbread}} caramel slice, millionaire's shortbread, millionaire's slice, chocolate caramel shortbread or Wellington squares{{Cite web |url = https://www.phoebebakes.com/recipes/posts/2019/december/wellington-square |title = Wellington Square |website = Phoebe Bakes |access-date = 31 March 2023 }} is a biscuit confectionery composed of a shortbread biscuit base topped with caramel and milk chocolate.{{Cite web |url = http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/11522/millionaires-shortbread |title = Easy millionaire's shortbread |website = BBC Good Food |language = en |access-date = 15 October 2021 }} Variations exist which substitute or add ingredients to cater to different tastes, dietary requirements or ingredient availability.{{Cite web |url = https://www.delightedcooking.com/what-is-millionaire-shortbread.htm |title = What Is Millionaire Shortbread? |website = Delighted Cooking |language = en |access-date = 15 October 2021 }}

History

Caramel shortbread is an adapted form of the original Scottish shortbread. Scottish shortbread originated around the 12th century, but its modern refined form is attributed to the efforts of Mary, Queen of Scots in the 16th century.{{Cite news |url = https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofScotland/Scottish-Shortbread/ |title = The History of Scottish Shortbread |work = Historic UK |access-date = 14 October 2021 }}

The practice of adding additional topping or ingredients to shortbread to create unique variations dates back to at least the 19th century when candied orange peel and almonds were added.{{Cite news |url = https://www.delightedcooking.com/what-is-millionaire-shortbread.htm |title = What Is Millionaire Shortbread? |work = Delighted Cooking |access-date = 14 October 2021 }}

Combinations of shortbread with caramel topping dates to at least the early 1950s.{{cite web |work = The Australian Women's Weekly |url = https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/48918198 |title = Condensed Milk Caramel |date = 6 November 1953 |via = Trove |access-date = 14 October 2021 }}

A recipe for Chocolate Caramel Crunch (Millionaires' Shortbread), with a caramel layer and chocolate top coat, was published in the Scottish Association of Young Farmers' Clubs book Recipes in 1972.{{Cite book |last=SAYFC |title=Recipes |publisher=Scottish Association of Young Farmers' Clubs |date=November 1972 |edition=6th |location=Ingliston, Midlothian |pages=98}} The recipes in this book were contributed by Scottish members of the organisation.

Recipes for the dish with a chocolate topping also appeared in Australia in the early 1970s in The Australian Women's Weekly.{{Cite news |url = https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/jul/28/how-to-make-the-perfect-millionaires-shortbread |title = How to make the perfect millionaire's shortbread |website = The Guardian |date = 28 July 2016 |access-date = 14 October 2021 |last1 = Cloake |first1 = Felicity }} The earliest of these recipes appears in 1970 in an issue of The Australian Women's Weekly under the name "Caramel Shortbread", but this version lacks the distinctive chocolate topping.{{cite web |work = The Australian Women's Weekly |url = https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/4892879 |title = Caramel Shortbread |via = Trove |access-date = 14 October 2021 }} Later recipes such as one from 1981 include the chocolate layer.{{cite web |work = The Australian Women's Weekly |url = https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/4401738 |title = Chocolate Caramel Shortbread |via = Trove |access-date = 14 October 2021 }}

The treat is still commonly associated with the cuisines of Australian, New Zealand and Scotland (as well as British cuisine more generally) and is still consumed in these countries regularly.{{Cite news |url = https://www.196flavors.com/australia-caramel-slice-millionaires-shortbread/ |title = Caramel Slice (Millionaire's Shortbread) |work = 196 Flavors |access-date = 14 October 2021 }} In Scotland it is often served to the first visitor to a house on New Year's Day.

It is also consumed around the world, where it is known by different names. In 2018 the dessert was featured in an episode of the American television show America's Test Kitchen.

Naming

The name of the dessert varies by different regions and has varied throughout its history. This includes the aforementioned names of caramel shortbread and chocolate caramel shortbread, as well as millionaire's shortbread, caramel slice, caramel squares, or millionaire's slice.

The name "millionaire's shortbread" appears to have originated in Scotland. The "millionaire" prefix to millionaire's shortbread or millionaires slice implies a level of decadence and wealth to the sweet treat, that it is an upgrade from regular shortbread.{{Cite web |url = https://foodanddrink.scotsman.com/food/history-of-millionaire-shortbread-and-a-recipe-on-how-to-make-your-own/#:~:text=While%20there's%20no%20definitive%20evidence,given%20for%20its%20decadent%20name |title = History of millionaire shortbread – and a recipe on how to make your own |website = The Scotsman |date = 6 February 2023 |access-date = 31 March 2023 }}

Variations

Many different variations of caramel shortbread exist to cater to different tastes, dietary requirements, and ingredient availability.

Some variants include using white rather than milk chocolate for the topping,{{Cite web |url = https://bakeplaysmile.com/white-chocolate-caramel-slice/ |title = White Chocolate Caramel Slice |website = Bake Play Smile |date = 6 October 2021 |access-date = 15 October 2021 }} adding espresso and hazelnut,{{Cite web |url = https://www.thebrickkitchen.com/2016/09/chocolate-hazelnut-espresso-caramel-slice/ |title = Chocolate, Hazelnut & Espresso Caramel Slice |website = The Brick Kitchen |date = 7 September 2016 |access-date = 15 October 2021 }} substituting shortbread for Anzac biscuits,{{Cite web |url = https://www.taste.com.au/recipes/choc-caramel-anzac-biscuit-slice/wqf7wkbm |title = Choc caramel Anzac biscuit slice |website = taste.com.au |access-date = 15 October 2021 }} adding raisins to the shortbread, or topping with peanut butter instead of chocolate.{{Cite web |url = https://ifood.tv/shortbread/caramel-shortbread/about |title = Caramel Shortbread |website = ifood.tv |access-date = 15 October 2021 }} Some recipes adjust the recipe to cater to dietary requirements. Gluten-free and vegan versions exist.