Dark Chocolate Millionare's Shortbread Recipe

I have to admit I am not big on classically British foods. I have never quite gotten to grasp with the concept of a roast dinner, didn't enjoy my only ever taste of fish & chips, even when I lived by the seaside in Hastings and don't rate festive minced pies, digestives or even the most holly of British things, tea. However there are a select few quintessentially British things that I do love. What are these foods you may wonder? Well I have soft spot for Crunchie bars (so does my mum who insists on me bringing her at least two multipacks whenever I visit her in Germany), scones aren't half bad once in a while with clotted cream and jam, proper vinegar crisps that bring tears to ones eyes are hard to beat and I also bloody love a millionaire's shortbread.

Although there is some controversy whether they are originally Australian or Scottish, I will go with the Scottish origin story which could explains its widespread popularity in the UK and the shortbread element. For those not familiar millionaire's shortbread - it is a layered biscuit composed of a crunchy and rich rectangular shortbread biscuit base topped with a chewy and soft caramel filling and a shiny chocolate topping. You can buy them ready made in most British supermarket bakery sections which is how I first discovered this beautiful sweet treat and they aren't half bad (if you go for ready made try Waitrose's plain chocolate squares) but once I had made them myself using this recipe I realised just HOW superior the homemade version was.

I love using good quality dark chocolate in my version of millionaire's shortbread as I think it works well to balance out the very sweet caramel layer, which is also way thicker and smoother than in any shop bought version, but you can substitute it with milk chocolate if you prefer, and you don't even need to turn on your oven to rustle up your own tray of these.

I have to say that they are an instant crowd pleaser and incredibly tasty - be warned you'll be making them again and again and again! With ingredients that wont cost over a fiver and taking about an hour in total with waiting time to make, I urge you to make them asap, for me you can't get much better when it comes to an indulgent treat and a British one at that!

Ingredients:
250g shortbread biscuits, crushed
55g melted butter
150g dark brown soft sugar
150g butter
397g can Carnation Condensed Milk
250g dark chocolate

You will also need...A 20cm brownie tin, lined with baking parchment

METHOD

1. Put crushed biscuit into a bowl with the melted butter. My tip for quick crushed biscuits? Use a grater! Mix it together thoroughly, then press the mixture into the base of your tin. Chill for ten minutes.

2. Heat the sugar and remaining butter in a non-stick pan gently, stirring, until melted. Add the Carnation condensed milk and bring to a rapid boil, stirring continuously. Cook for a minute or so or until the filling has thickened. Pour the caramel over the base. Cool, then chill until set.

3. Melt the chocolate. I put mine, broken up in chunks, into the microwave for 30 seconds at a time before stirring to avoid burning the chocolate. Pour the dark chocolate over the caramel.

4. Chill until set. Remove from the tin and cut into squares.

The millionaire's shortbread will keep well for a week in the fridge and you can even freeze it so you have it ready whenever a craving comes over you, I can't wait to tuck into my supply in a moment of millionaire's shortbread need!