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.
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.
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Ingredients
- 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
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.
2. Melt the butter and add to the crumb mixture, Mix well until fully combined.
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.
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.
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.
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.
7. Carefully and slowly pour the chocolate ganache over the top of the caramel cheesecake layer and spread it evenly.
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.
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
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.
Use a 8x8 baking tin if you prefer to make millionaire's cheesecake bars.
The millionaire shortbread cheesecake can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
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📖 Recipe
Millionaire's Cheesecake
Nutritional information is meant as a guideline and all information is approximate.
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
Nutrition
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.
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.
Liz
My dream cheesecake! The chocolate and caramel made this irresistible!! The whole family loved it.
Amanda
Thank you Liz for your lovely feedback. I am so happy the family enjoyed the cheesecake.