Gluten free caramel slice - millionaire's shortbread

Name: Gluten free Caramel slice - millionaire's shortbread
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Ingredients: 230 g Butter (Room temperature); 125 g Caster sugar; 230 g Gluten free plain flour ((Gluten free all-purpose flour)); 100 g Cornflour ( (Corn starch in the US)); ½ teaspoon Xanthan gum; 30 ml Water; 397 g Sweetened condensed milk; 100 g Brown sugar; 100 g Butter; 200 g Chocolate ((Milk or dark)); 50 g White chocolate ((Optional))

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Delicious gluten free caramel slice - millionaire's shortbread recipe. The layers in these caramel bars are so lush with a beautiful shortbread base that is soft but does not fall apart and a thick caramel filling that cuts perfectly without oozing out everywhere and finished with a topping of chocolate just to complete the perfect gluten free caramel bars.

I have always been a huge fan of anything that contains caramel as I have a super sweet tooth! So if you have a sweet tooth too then this is the recipe for you. These caramel bars are known by many names such as millionaire's shortbread, caramel shortcake, chocolate caramel bars, and caramel shortbread. You can call this easy gluten free caramel slice whatever name you prefer and I am sure you won't be disappointed.

gluten free caramel slice cut into squares

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Is Caramel gluten free?
Ingredients & equipment needed for this recipe
Instructions
Recipe Variations
Recipe FAQs
Gluten free Caramel slice - millionaire's shortbread

Is Caramel gluten free?

Caramel is usually gluten free as it is made mainly with milk, sugar, and butter and does not contain ingredients containing gluten. If buying ready-made caramel sauce I recommend always checking the ingredients label as some brands may contain gluten due to flavorings used within the caramel sauce. For this recipe, I recommend making homemade caramel as tinned caramel will not be thick enough to set and will create a saucy mess when you slice into the caramel slices as well as being sure your caramel is gluten free.

Ingredients & equipment needed for this recipe

gluten free caramel slice ingredients shot

EQUIPMENT

8×8 lined baking tin
non-stick pan

Gluten free Shortbread recipe

Butter - Be sure to have your butter at room temperature as this will make it easier when beating together with the sugar.
Caster sugar - Don’t worry if you can’t get caster sugar for this recipe. Superfine granulated sugar or regular granulated sugar will also work well.
Gluten free plain flour - I used Doves Freee Plain flour but you can use your preferred brand of gluten free plain flour or Gluten free all-purpose flour.
Cornflour - If in the US be sure to use Corn starch. As I am in the UK it is called cornflour but not to be mistaken with the US cornflour (yellow powder).
Xanthan gum - Used as a binding agent in gluten free baking. Essentially acting like gluten keeping everything together.

Caramel layer

Sweetened condensed milk - I used Carnation condensed milk in this recipe but you can use your preferred brand of sweetened condensed milk.
Brown sugar
Butter

Chocolate Topping

Chocolate - I used milk chocolate in this recipe but it would also work with dark chocolate for this gluten free chocolate caramel slice. If you want to make gluten-free white chocolate caramel slice then just switch out the milk chocolate for white chocolate.
White chocolate - Optional if you want to add some extra flair to your gluten free millionaire bars and create a beautiful feathered finished look.

Instructions

Recipe steps

flour added to butter and sugar mixture in a clear bowl

In a bowl beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
In a large bowl mix flour, cornflour, xanthan gum together until fully combined.
Add butter and sugar mixture to the large bowl with the flour mixture.

gluten free shortbread dough in a clear bowl

gluten free shortbread dough in a square baking tin

Add water and with your hands knead together and will resemble large crumbs but continue to knead as it will eventually form a shortbread dough.
Place your dough onto a floured surface. Using a rolling pin roll out your dough evenly until around the same size as your prepared baking tin. Then place in the baking tin pressing down firmly and with a fork prick the surface of the shortbread dough.
Place in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until slightly golden on the edges but still pale on top.

caramel sauce ingredients added to a silver pot

In a non-stick pan add condensed milk, sugar and, butter and on medium heat until the sugar has disolved. stirring continuously.
Once the sugar has dissolved bring to the boil continuing to stir the mixture ensuring that the mixture does not stick to the bottom of the pan. Then reduce to low heat and stir until the sauce thickens and is slightly darker in color.
Let the caramel cool slightly before pouring evenly over the shortbread base.

caramel layer on top in a lined square baking tin

chocolate layer on top of caramel in a square baking tin

Set aside to cool fully before adding the chocolate layer.

Melt the milk chocolate in a bowl over a pan of hot simmering water until fully melted. Pour melted chocolate evenly on top of the cooled caramel layer.
Optional-Melt white chocolate and place it in a piping bag with a small narrow piping nozzle or a small hole on the bottom of the piping bag.
Carefully pipe the white chocolate in parallel straight lines over the top of your melted milk chocolate. Using a wooden skewer or the back of a knife gently drag through the lines at a 90° angle to make a beautiful feathered design.
Leave to fully set. You can place it in the refrigerator for a faster setting.

Recipe Variations

There are a few variations that can be done for this millionaire's shortbread recipe and I thought I would also include them below as you might find them helpful and you can adapt easily to suit your preferred outcome.

Gluten free white chocolate caramel slice - To make a beautiful white chocolate slice you can substitute the milk chocolate for white chocolate.
Gluten free Billionaires shortbread - To make billionaires caramel slice just add ½ teaspoon of sea salt to the caramel mixture during the cooking process for a gluten free salted caramel slice. Then top with dark chocolate and sprinkle with a little sea salt to finish.
Gluten free no bake caramel slice - If you want a quick and easy no bake base that means you dont have to put on the oven. You can use my gluten free biscuit base used in my gluten free banoffee pie in place of the shortbread base. Always use a gluten free cookie base to ensure that you make the caramel slice gluten free.

Recipe FAQs

How to cut the caramel slices?

Using a sharp knife. Run the knife under hot water to heat, dry the knife and then slice carefully while the knife is still hot. This makes it easier to slice and the chocolate less likely to crack while cutting.

How to make a gluten-free caramel slice?

This recipe is fully gluten free. Always use gluten free flour for the shortbread base and always check that the chocolate used does not contain gluten as some brands may contain gluten.

Can I make this in advance?

Yes, The gluten-free caramel shortcake can be stored in an airtight container and stored in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

Can I use tinned caramel?

No, Tinned caramel will not be as thick as the homemade caramel and will not set firmly. This will result in a saucy mess when you slice into the caramel bars.

Is it suitable for freezing?

Yes, I would wrap it well and place it in an airtight container before freezing. Defrost at room temperature.

Can I make a no bake millionaires shortbread?

Yes, If you want an easier option or gluten-free biscuit base substitute the shortbread base with my gluten free biscuit base found in my gluten free banoffee pie.

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