Millionaire’s shortbread

 

Millionaire’s shortbread may not seem to be very Christmas-y at first glance. However, the original shortbread very much is in Scotland, where this delicious biscuit originates from. And as the famous cook, Mary Berry says

At Christmas you must indulge yourself.

The history of the shortbread

The history of the shortbread goes back to the 12th century when it was made of leftover bread. At the time it wasn’t much of a biscuit we know today: it was hard, not sweet and there was nothing luxurious about it and it was called biscuit-bread.

The recipe changed in the 16th century when the yeast was left out and butter added to the dough making it an expensive treat. The term “short” refers to the crumbliness of the biscuit and pastry and this is why the fat at added to biscuits and pastries is called shortening.

Shortbread today is sweet, however Mary Queen of Scots for example was fond of shortbread with carraway. Later on shortbread was made with different flavourings by adding raisins, cranberries or later lemon. In the 19th century shortbread was also topped with orange peel and almonds.

Traditionally, shortbread has three different forms: small round, petticoat tails or fingers. The name petticoat tails doesn’t come from the French petites gatelles (“little cakes”), as is often believed — even though Scottish cooking had closer ties to French cuisine than to English food during the reign of Mary Queen of Scots. Instead, the term originates from petticoat tallies, referring to the triangular pattern used to craft the bell-shaped hoop petticoats worn by figures such as Elizabeth I.

 

 

Millionaire’s shortbread

The Millionaire’s shortbread is not that old though. Shortbread was first topped with caramel in the 1950s, and with caramel and chocolate in 1972. The recipe of the latter was first published in the Scottish Association of Young Farmer’s Clubs Recipes book. I think, millionaire shortbread is very close to the Twix chocolate bar which was launched by Mars in 1967. Not sure if this inspired some to make what we today know as millionaire’s shortbread.

Why is it called Millionaire’s shortbread?

I would think because its rich ingredients and also the fact that butter and sugar were luxury ingredients centuries ago (well, butter is becoming a luxury these days, too, I may add).

Plus it’s really rich. Rich in calories! 🙂

INGREDIENTS

(for a 17 x 28cm baking tray)

For the shortbread:
100g salted butter
50g caster sugar
150g plain flour

For the caramel:
200g condensed milk
150g salted butter
50g caster sugar
50g Golden syrup

200g dark or milk chocolate

To make the shortbread, mix the flour and sugar in a bowl. Add the butter and rub together with your fingertips until the mixture is just beginning to bind together. Knead only until the mixture forms a smooth dough.

If the butter melted too much, place the it into the fridge to chill for a while. Then press the dough evenly in the tin and prick all over with a fork.

Bake it for 10 minutes at 160C or until it is just blushing golden brown at the edges.

The shortbread must be cool when the caramel is poured on the top.

For the caramel, put all ingredients into a saucepan and place on medium-high heat. Make sure you’re stirring it gently until you reach the desired colour. When ready, pour the caramel onto your biscuit base. To even out the surface, pick up the tin and drop it onto the table with a bang. Leave this to cool for a few hours (or overnight) before adding the chocolate topping.

Melt your choice of chocolate either in a microwave or in a bowl over steaming water and pour it onto the caramel. Again, to level the layer, pick up the tin and drop it onto the table. I prefer using dark chocolate but milk chocolate works well, too.

Leave it to set for at least an hour but never put it into the fridge.

Heat a knife with hot water to slice the shortbread. I prefer squares, but you can be as creative as you like. Voi la!

Enjoy!

Advent is such a special time of the year with all the Christmas preparations: baking, shopping, creative gift-making.

Making Millionaire’s shortbread is easy and success is guaranteed among those with sweet-tooth. It can be a nice gift for someone, too.