Gingerbread Millionaire’s Bars: A Holiday Treat Worth the Splurge 🎄🍪

There’s something magical about the holidays—the twinkle of fairy lights, the hum of carols in the background, and the cozy warmth of the kitchen as festive treats come to life. These Gingerbread Millionaire’s Bars bring all those warm, nostalgic feelings into one decadent bite. Imagine buttery spiced shortbread, gooey ginger caramel, and a rich chocolate layer sprinkled with crushed gingersnaps. It’s the perfect holiday twist on a British classic that feels like a warm hug on a frosty day.

But here’s the best part: while they look indulgent (and let’s face it, millionaire is right there in the name), they’re surprisingly simple to make. Plus, I’ve added a few variations to make them uniquely yours—whether you’re baking for a cookie swap, gifting a tin of treats, or just sneaking bites while wrapping presents.

What Makes These Gingerbread Millionaire’s Bars Special?

The traditional millionaire’s shortbread is already a masterpiece—layers of buttery shortbread, caramel, and chocolate. But this holiday version brings in a cozy gingerbread twist with molasses and warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. The caramel gets a festive makeover too, with a zing of ginger that’s sure to delight. Top it all off with chocolate and crushed gingersnaps for that extra holiday crunch.

Twist Variations for your Gingerbread Millionaire’s:

• Spiced Citrus Twist: Add the zest of an orange to the shortbread dough and sprinkle candied orange peel on the chocolate layer.
• Nutty Delight: Mix chopped toasted pecans or hazelnuts into the caramel for added texture and flavor.
• Chai Spice Edition: Swap the spices for a blend of chai spices like cardamom, nutmeg, and allspice to create a whole new flavor profile.
• Salted Toffee Crunch: Add a drizzle of salted caramel sauce over the chocolate layer and top with crushed toffee bits for a sweet-salty treat.

The Recipe: Gingerbread Millionaire’s Bars

Ingredients

For the Shortbread:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup (110g) packed dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 2 3/4 cups (330g) all-purpose flour

For the Ginger Caramel:

• 1 (14-oz) can sweetened condensed milk
• 2/3 cup (145g) dark brown sugar
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt

For the Chocolate Topping:

• 10 oz semi-sweet chocolate (preferably 60%), chopped
• 1 oz crushed gingersnaps (store-bought or homemade)
• Flaky sea salt (optional)

Directions to make the perfect Gingerbread Millionaire’s bars 

Step 1: Make the Shortbread

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a 13″ x 9″ baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
2. In a large bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, molasses, spices, and salt until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes). Add the flour and mix on low speed until just combined.
3. Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula or your hands. Bake for 20–22 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned. Let cool completely before adding the caramel.

Step 2: Prepare the Ginger Caramel

1. In a medium pot, combine the condensed milk, brown sugar, butter, ginger, and salt. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until the sugar dissolves (about 2–3 minutes).
2. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir constantly for 6–7 minutes, until the caramel thickens slightly and deepens in color. (Don’t be alarmed if it bubbles up—it’s all part of the process!)
3. Remove from heat and carefully pour the caramel over the cooled shortbread. Spread it evenly with a spatula and let it cool at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.

Step 3: Add the Chocolate Topping

1. Melt the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second increments, stirring between each, until smooth.
2. Pour the melted chocolate over the set caramel layer and spread it evenly. Sprinkle with crushed gingersnaps and flaky sea salt (if using).
3. Refrigerate the bars for about 2 hours, until the chocolate is firm.

Step 4: Slice and Serve
Using the parchment paper, lift the bars out of the pan and transfer them to a cutting board. Cut into squares or rectangles with a sharp knife. Serve them up with coffee, tea, or hot cocoa for the ultimate holiday indulgence.

More Exquisite recipes

For another festive option, the melted snowman cookie dough bites offer different flavor experiences for your dessert table, allowing you to adapt to various seasons and occasions while maintaining that wow factor that christmas is known for.

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