Millionaire Shortbread Christmas Trees

This festive treat truly transforms a classic into something magical for the holidays. Imagine crisp, buttery shortbread meeting gooey, rich caramel. Then, it all gets crowned with smooth chocolate and cheerful sprinkles. We are taking that popular shortbread flavor profile and turning it into delightful Millionaire Shortbread Christmas Trees this year. I find the balance between the textures absolutely divine. This recipe offers that perfect combination of satisfying crunch and decadent melt.

These little trees are wonderful for holiday cookie trays. Honestly, they look impressive without demanding all day in the kitchen. My family absolutely devours these sweet shapes every single year. They store beautifully, too, making them ideal for busy baking schedules.

why i love this recipe

I adore this recipe for so many reasons, truly. It checks every box for holiday baking success. Furthermore, these beauties deliver luxurious flavor instantly. They look so special when shaped like Millionaire Shortbread Christmas Trees.

• Impressive Look, Easy Bake: Guests think I spent hours fussing.
• Perfect Textural Contrast: That snap of shortbread equals pure joy.
• Make-Ahead Marvel: Chilling time works perfectly for meal prep.

They store wonderfully, so I bake these trees early!

Millionaire Shortbread Christmas Trees Ingredients

Gathering our ingredients feels like assembling the perfect little holiday flavor package. We combine humble staples to create layers of undeniable richness and satisfying crumb. That classic trio—butter, sugar, and chocolate—is the key to these Millionaire Shortbread Christmas Trees.

For the shortbread base, we need all-purpose flour for structure and structure. Granulated sugar provides necessary sweetness to that buttery foundation. The base demands cold, cubed unsalted butter to keep the cookie tender when baked.

Next up is that glorious caramel center. You will need more unsalted butter for velvety richness. More granulated sugar helps it brown nicely during cooking. The sweetened condensed milk is crucial; it provides the body and chewiness we want. We use golden syrup or light corn syrup for elasticity and preventing crystallization. A tiny pinch of salt really balances all that sweetness.

Finally, the chocolate topping uses high-quality semi-sweet or milk chocolate, chopped, for that beautiful hard shell. Some folks enjoy adding vegetable oil or coconut oil here. This addition helps keep the glaze perfectly smooth.

Substitutions and Tips

Making smart swaps can tailor these treats perfectly for your kitchen. If you lack golden syrup, light corn syrup works just as well in the caramel layer. For a deeper, butterscotch flavor, try using a tiny splash of dark brown sugar right into the caramel mix. If you prefer dark chocolate, swap out the semi-sweet chocolate topping. Remember, always use high-quality chocolate for the best melt. For faster chilling, you can place the assembled bars in the freezer briefly after the caramel sets. See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

kitchen tools you’ll need

Gathering the right gear makes baking so much simpler, doesn’t it? We do not need fancy gadgets for these Millionaire Shortbread Christmas Trees.

• A 9×9 inch baking pan is ideal for good thickness.
• A food processor speeds up the shortbread dough mixing.
• Alternatively, just use your trusty mixing bowls and hands.
• Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan for making that luscious caramel.
• A sharp knife is essential for those straight tree cuts.
• Parchment paper makes lifting the entire bar a breeze.

how to make Millionaire Shortbread Christmas Trees

Now truly comes the fun part of making these layered treats. Follow these simple steps carefully. We will build these delicious bars layer by layer. Soon, you will have beautiful Millionaire Shortbread Christmas Trees ready to share.

preparing the shortbread base

First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, line a 9×9 inch square pan with parchment paper. Make sure the paper hangs over two of the sides a bit. This overhang helps lift the whole bar later. Combine the flour and sugar in a food processor first. Add in the cold, cubed butter quickly. Pulse the mixture until it looks like coarse crumbs. If you are mixing by hand, just rub the butter into the dry ingredients instead. Press this shortbread dough evenly into your prepared pan. Bake the base for about 20 to 25 minutes total. You want it just lightly golden brown on top. Let this shortbread cool completely inside the pan before moving on.

crafting the perfect caramel layer

This step needs your full attention for a few minutes. Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-low heat. Combine your butter, sugar, condensed milk, and syrup in the pan. Stir constantly until the butter is fully melted. Next, dissolve the sugar completely. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil now. Continue stirring frequently for 5 to 7 minutes. The caramel should thicken noticeably. Also, watch for a light golden brown hue to appear. Be very cautious not to let the caramel burn on the bottom. Remove it from the heat when ready.

assembling and chilling the layers

Pour that smooth, hot caramel evenly over the cooled shortbread base. Spread it gently to reach all corners. Let this layer cool down at room temperature first. At least 30 minutes should pass here. After that initial rest, pop the entire pan into the refrigerator. You need 1 to 2 hours for the caramel to become truly firm. Use the parchment overhang to lift the entire chilled slab out. Place the firm block onto a sturdy cutting board for shaping.

cutting and decorating your Millionaire Shortbread Christmas Trees

Time to add the final chocolate finish. Melt your chopped chocolate slowly. Use 30-second intervals in the microwave, stirring well each time. Including the optional oil makes the chocolate melt smoother. Pour this melted chocolate over the set caramel layer. Spread it evenly across the surface quickly. Sprinkle your festive decorations right away. Make sure you do this before the chocolate hardens fully. Then, refrigerate everything again for about 15 to 30 minutes. This firms up the chocolate topping nicely. Finally, use a sharp knife to cut the square into strips first. Then, slice those strips diagonally into triangles. These triangles form your Christmas tree shapes. You can trim the bottom edge slightly for a flat trunk base if you wish.

how to store Millionaire Shortbread Christmas Trees

Storing these delightful Millionaire Shortbread Christmas Trees is quite simple. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature initially. Wait to refrigerate them until the chocolate feels very firm. For longer keeping, these bars freeze wonderfully well. Wrap individual trees tightly in plastic wrap first. Then, place them inside a freezer-safe bag. They should stay fresh for up to three months. Thaw them slowly on the counter before serving.

Tips for Success

Achieving perfect, clean layers takes just a few key habits. Follow these simple tips for success every time you bake. These little pointers really make a big difference.

• Ensure the shortbread is bone-cold before the caramel goes on top.
• Stir the caramel consistently to avoid scorching the bottom corners.
• Use slightly warm, softened butter for the shortbread dough if cold fails.
• When cutting the trees, wiping your knife clean helps too.
• Do not rush the chilling times; patience yields the best results.

Serving Suggestions

Presentation really elevates these festive bakes. Try these ideas for serving your finished layers.

• Serve alongside a rich peppermint mocha coffee drink.
• Dust the serving platter lightly with powdered sugar snow.
• Offer them on small, festive holiday cocktail napkins.
• Pair these rich trees with tart cranberry tea.

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