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    Home » Holiday recipes » Millionaire's Cheesecake

    Millionaire's Cheesecake

    Published: Jul 2, 2022 by Amanda · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    This Millionaire's cheesecake is a rich decadent dessert that will definitely have you coming back for another slice. With a sweet shortbread base, rich caramel cheesecake filling, and topped with a layer of chocolate ganache will soon make millionaire cheesecake one of your favorite desserts.

    Slice of millionaire's cheesecake on a white plate with a fork.

    I am a huge fan of any dessert that relates to millionaire shortbread as this was one of my favorite bars growing up. It is often referred to as a classic Scottish dessert or treat with being Scottish myself makes this such a comforting and familiar dessert.

    Developing this classic bar into a millionaire cheesecake, I feel takes it to the next level of indulgence making it the perfect celebration dessert for Christmas or new year.

    When deciding how to make millionaires cheesecake I quickly took inspiration from my gluten free cheesecake and gluten free millionaire shortbread and using both these recipes as a base to make this rich, satisfying no bake caramel cheesecake.

    If you are looking for a simple baked cheesecake then you will love this Spanish San Sebastian cheesecake.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions and Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Top tip
    • Recipe FAQs
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Ingredients

    labeled ingredients for millionaire's cheesecake recipe.
    • Shortbread cookies - I used gluten-free shortbread cookies but you could also use digestives or gluten free graham style crackers if preferred.
    • Butter - Melted in the microwave.
    • Caramel sauce - It wouldn't be Millionaire cheesecake without caramel sauce. You can use store-bought caramel sauce such as carnation caramel or use homemade caramel sauce like the sauce used in my Billy miner pie.
    • Cream Cheese - I used Philadelphia cream cheese.
    • Powdered sugar - AKA icing sugar. Always sieve the sugar to ensure it is free of any lumps.
    • Heavy cream - AKA Double cream.
    • Chocolate - Milk or dark chocolate. You could use half milk and half dark. It's really up to your preferred taste. If you require a gluten free millionaires cheesecake be sure that the chocolate does not contain gluten. See my post on gluten free chocolate.
    • White chocolate - Optional for decoration. I melted the white chocolate in the microwave.

    See the recipe card for quantities.

    Instructions

    shortbread biscuits ground to bread crumb consistency in a clear bowl.

    1. Place the cookies in a food bag and using a rolling pin or wooden spoon crush them until they resemble crumbs then add to a mixing bowl.

    Melted butter being poured onto ground shortbread crumbs.

    2. Melt the butter and add to the crumb mixture, Mix well until fully combined.

    Shortbread biscuit base in a round baking tin.

    3. Transfer the mixture into your springform cake tin spread evenly, and press down firmly on the crumb mixture until it feels firm and compact in the tin. Place in the fridge to set. I recommend leaving it to set in the refrigerator for around 1 hour.

    Caramel sauce being spread over the top of the shortbread cheesecake base.

    4. Once the base has had time to set spread 2 tablespoons of caramel sauce evenly. Return to the fridge to firm up further while making the cheesecake filling.

    Caramel cheesecake filling in a silver bowl.

    5. In a large bowl with an electric mixer beat cream cheese until soft, and add the powdered sugar until fully combined. Add heavy cream and caramel sauce and beat until mixture is smooth and thick.

    Caramel cheesecake filling layer in the cake tin.

    6. Remove the base prepared earlier from the refrigerator and spoon the filling mixture into the tin and carefully spread evenly and smooth out on the top of the mixture. Place in the fridge to set for 3 hours before making the chocolate ganache topping.

    Chocolate ganache layer being poured over the top of the cheesecake filling.

    7. Carefully and slowly pour the chocolate ganache over the top of the caramel cheesecake layer and spread it evenly.

    Finished Millionaire's cheesecake decorated with white chocolate swirls.

    8. Return the millionaire cheesecake to the fridge and leave it to set for a further 4 hours. Preferably overnight. Drizzle melted white chocolate to decorate if desired.

    See the recipe card for more detailed instructions.

    Note: You may need to be extra careful when slicing if adding the caramel layer on top of the cookie base depending on the consistency of the caramel used this may make the cheesecake more delicate to handle as the cheesecake layer may slide on the base. (This is optional but I do like the extra richness this adds to the finished dish. I would usually leave this layer out if I am making the cheesecake and transporting)

    Substitutions and Variations

    • Gluten free - This recipe is easily made gluten free by using gluten free shortbread cookies as a base for the cheesecake as this is exactly how I made it and perfect to ensure that it is safe to eat for anyone following a gluten free diet.
    • Caramel cheesecake - If you want to simplify the recipe to have a no bake caramel cheesecake you can miss out the chocolate ganache topping and drizzle the top of the caramel cheesecake filling with caramel sauce instead.
    • Salted caramel - To make salted caramel cheesecake, Use salted caramel sauce or if making the caramel sauce at home slowly add in a little salt at a time until it reaches your desired taste.

    Equipment

    I used a 9-inch springform round baking tin as this makes it easy to remove the finished cheesecake. I also lined the sides and bottom of the baking tin with parchment paper as this will result in a neater finish.

    You could use a 8x8 baking tin if you prefer to make millionaire's cheesecake bars. See my gluten free millionaire shortbread recipe for a feathered icing finish which is easy to do and makes for a lovely finished design.

    I would recommend you use an electric mixer or hand held whisk to beat the cheesecake filling. This can be done by hand but will require quite a bit of work. By using an electric whisk will make it seem effortless.

    Millionaire cheesecake on a white plate with two slice cut into it.

    Storage

    The millionaire shortbread cheesecake can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

    Top tip

    Make slicing the cheesecake easier by using a sharp knife and carefully placing 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 makes for a nice clean-cut presentation. 

    Recipe FAQs

    What is millionaires cheesecake

    Inspired by the traditional millionaires shortbread bars which are made with a shortbread base, caramel filling topped with chocolate. Millionaire cheesecake is a recipe that includes all the elements of the bars but in the form of a cheesecake. Making it a delicious, rich decadent dessert.

    How to make millionaire cheesecake bars

    Use a 8x8 baking tin if you prefer to make millionaire's cheesecake bars.

    How to store the millionaire shortbread cheesecake

    The millionaire shortbread cheesecake can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

    Other recipes you might like.

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      Gluten free caramel slice - millionaire's shortbread
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      Gluten Free Vanilla Cheesecake - No Bake
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      Gluten free Banoffee Pie
    • billy miner pie on a white plate beside a slice of the oreo ice cream cake on a smaller plate
      Billy Miner Pie

    📖 Recipe

    Slice of millionaire's cheesecake on a white plate with a fork.

    Millionaire's Cheesecake

    This Millionaire's cheesecake is a rich decadent dessert that will definitely have you coming back for another slice. With a sweet shortbread base, rich caramel cheesecake filling, and topped with a layer of chocolate ganache will soon make millionaire cheesecake one of your favorite desserts.
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: British, scottish
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes
    Servings: 10 Servings
    Calories: 519kcal

    Nutritional information is meant as a guideline and all information is approximate.

    Author: Amanda
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • 1 9 inch springform round baking tin

    Ingredients

    Shortbread base

    • 320 Grams Shortbread cookies I used gluten free shortbread cookies but you could also use digestives if preferred.
    • 150 Grams Butter Melted

    Caramel layer (Optional)

    • 2 Tablespoons Caramel sauce

    Caramel Cheesecake filling

    • 340 Grams Full fat Cream Cheese Always use full fat cream cheese as the higher fat content is required for a firm setting. I used Philadelphia full fat cream cheese.
    • 100 Grams Powdered sugar Sieved
    • 300 ml Heavy cream AKA Double cream
    • 2 Tablespoons Caramel sauce

    Chocolate ganache topping

    • 150 Grams Chocolate Milk or dark chocolate (You could use half milk half dark. Its really up to your preferred taste.
    • 150 ml Heavy cream AKA Double cream
    • 2 Tablespoons Melted White chocolate Optional for decoration

    Instructions

    How to make the shortbread base

    • Line the bottom and sides of your springform tin with greaseproof paper.
    • Place the cookies in a food bag and using a rolling pin or wooden spoon crush them until they resemble crumbs then add to a mixing bowl.
    • Melt the butter and add to the crumb mixture, Mix well until fully combined.
    • Transfer the mixture into your springform cake tin spread evenly, and press down firmly on the crumb mixture until it feels firm and compact in the tin. Place in the fridge to set. I recommend leaving it to set in the refrigerator for around 1 hour.

    Caramel layer

    • Adding the caramel layer is optional and adds further richness to the finished cheesecake. You can skip this part if preferred. I have made it both with and without the caramel layer and both are delicious.
    • Once the base has had time to set spread 2 tablespoons of caramel sauce evenly. Return to the fridge to firm up further while making the cheesecake filling.

    How to make the caramel cheesecake filling

    • In a large bowl with an electric mixer beat cream cheese until soft, and add the powdered sugar until fully combined.
    • Add heavy cream and caramel sauce and beat until mixture is smooth and thick.
    • Remove the base prepared earlier from the refrigerator and spoon the filling mixture into the tin and carefully spread evenly and smooth out on the top of the mixture. Place in the fridge to set for 3 hours before making the chocolate ganache topping.

    How to make the Chocolate ganache topping

    • Chop the chocolate up as finely as you can and place it in a large bowl.
    • Add cream into a small non-stick saucepan and heat on medium-high heat until the cream is hot stirring continuously. DO NOT bring the cream to a boil.
    • Carefully pour the hot cream into the bowl with the chopped chocolate and leave it to sit for 3-4 minutes. This will allow the hot cream to begin to melt the chocolate.
    • Stir the melted chocolate and cream together until fully combined and smooth. Leave the chocolate ganache to come down to room temperature for approx. 15 minutes.
    • Remove the cheesecake from the fridge once the ganache has had time to reach room temperature.
    • Carefully and slowly pour the chocolate ganache over the top of the caramel cheesecake layer and spread it evenly.
    • Return the millionaire cheesecake to the fridge and leave it to set for a further 4 hours. Preferably overnight.
    • Drizzle melted white chocolate to decorate if desired.

    Notes

    NOTE: You may need to be extra careful when slicing if adding the caramel layer on top of the cookie base depending on the consistency of the caramel used this may make the cheesecake more delicate to handle as the cheesecake layer may slide on the base. (This is optional but I do like the extra richness this adds to the finished dish. I would leave this layer out if I am making the cheesecake and transporting)
    How to slice the Millionaire's cheesecake
    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 makes for a nice clean-cut presentation. 
    Storage: The millionaire shortbread cheesecake can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1Serving | Calories: 519kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 38.6g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8.7g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 97mg | Sodium: 337mg | Potassium: 76mg | Fiber: 1.8g | Sugar: 18.3g

    Disclaimer

    Nutritional information is meant as a guideline and is always an approximate calculation. Recipes may include information of various products used. It is your responsibility to check that ingredients you use when making a recipe are gluten free.

    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @glutenfree.tranquility or tag #glutenfreetranquility!

    I hope you enjoyed this Millionaire's cheesecake recipe.

    I would love your feedback.  Please rate this recipe and leave a comment below. You can also tag me in any photos taken when trying this recipe over on my Instagram.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Liz

      July 25, 2022 at 10:29 am

      My dream cheesecake! The chocolate and caramel made this irresistible!! The whole family loved it.5 stars

      Reply
      • Amanda

        July 25, 2022 at 10:42 am

        Thank you Liz for your lovely feedback. I am so happy the family enjoyed the cheesecake.

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Amanda! I am passionate about creating gluten free versions of all the foods that I enjoy. I love sharing them with others looking for easy but delicious gluten free recipes.

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