Millionaire Shortbread Christmas Trees are a delightful twist on a classic treat, combining buttery shortbread, rich caramel, and decadent chocolate. The moment you slice into these festive trees, the layers reveal themselves, promising a symphony of flavors that dance on your palate like sugarplum fairies. delicious homemade Samoas.
Picture this: It’s Christmas Eve, the smell of pine wafts through the air, and laughter fills your home. As friends and family gather around, they can’t resist these charming Millionaire Shortbread Christmas Trees. no bake carrot cake bites perfect holiday dessert Each bite is a sweet reminder of holiday magic and nostalgia.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- These Millionaire Shortbread Christmas Trees are easy to make, perfect for holiday gatherings
- They boast a delightful flavor profile with layers of buttery goodness and rich chocolate
- Visually stunning, they add a festive touch to any dessert table
- Versatile enough to customize with different toppings or flavors for all occasions
Sharing these treats always brings smiles; my niece once exclaimed they were “the best thing ever.”
Essential Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:
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Unsalted Butter: Use high-quality butter for a rich flavor; room temperature is best for easy mixing. healthy key lime yogurt bark.
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Granulated Sugar: This sweetens the shortbread base perfectly; don’t skimp on it!
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All-Purpose Flour: Essential for structure; sift it before measuring for lightness.
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Sweetened Condensed Milk: This is crucial for that gooey caramel layer; ensure it’s fresh!
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Dark Chocolate Chips: Choose good-quality chocolate for melting; it makes all the difference in taste.
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Sea Salt: A sprinkle enhances flavors beautifully; opt for flaky sea salt if available.
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Green Food Coloring (optional): For vibrant festive trees; use sparingly to achieve desired color.
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Sprinkles (optional): Add some fun decorations to your trees; choose colorful ones that scream holiday cheer!
The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.
Let’s Make it Together
Prepare Your Baking Pan: Start by lining an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal later. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Create the Shortbread Base: In a bowl, beat together room-temperature unsalted butter and granulated sugar until creamy and smooth. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
Add Flour and Form Dough: Gradually mix in all-purpose flour until combined. The dough will be crumbly but should hold together when pressed into your baking pan.
Bake the Base Layer: Press the shortbread dough evenly into the prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes until lightly golden. Let cool completely.
Make the Caramel Layer: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine sweetened condensed milk and butter. Stir continuously until it turns into a thick caramel (about 10-12 minutes), then pour over the cooled shortbread layer.
Melt Chocolate Topping: Melt dark chocolate chips in the microwave in 30-second intervals until smooth. Pour over the caramel layer and spread evenly using a spatula.
Decorate Your Trees!: If using green food coloring, mix it into some melted chocolate before drizzling over the top. Add sprinkles as desired to create festive decorations!
Allow everything to set in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before removing from the pan and cutting into tree shapes.
These Millionaire Shortbread Christmas Trees are sure to become a beloved holiday tradition! Enjoy sharing them with laughter and love during this magical season. For more inspiration, check out this lemon cheesecake squares recipe.
You Must Know
- Millionaire Shortbread Christmas Trees are a festive twist on a classic treat
- The combination of buttery shortbread, creamy caramel, and rich chocolate creates an irresistible flavor that screams holiday joy
- These delightful trees will surely wow your guests and bring smiles to faces all around
Perfecting the Cooking Process
Start by preparing the shortbread base first. While it cools, work on the caramel layer and finish with chocolate.
Add Your Touch
Feel free to swap out dark chocolate for milk or white chocolate for a sweeter treat. Add festive sprinkles for decoration!
Storing & Reheating
Store your Millionaire Shortbread Christmas Trees in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for up to a week.
Chef's Helpful Tips
- For perfectly layered Millionaire Shortbread, allow each layer to cool completely before adding the next one
- Use quality chocolate to enhance flavor and avoid burning the caramel by cooking on low heat
- Patience is key to prevent any disasters!
Creating these delicious treats brings back memories of holiday baking marathons with my family, where laughter and flour flew everywhere, turning our kitchen into a winter wonderland. For more inspiration, check out this caramel toffee crunch cake recipe.
FAQ
Can I use gluten-free flour for the shortbread?
Yes, gluten-free flour works well to maintain the texture of the base.
How do I make sure my caramel doesn’t burn?
Cook over low heat and stir constantly to ensure even cooking without burning.
Can I freeze Millionaire Shortbread Christmas Trees?
Absolutely! They freeze well; just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap before freezing.
Millionaire Shortbread Christmas Trees
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 16 servings 1x
Description
Millionaire Shortbread Christmas Trees are a festive and whimsical dessert that combines buttery shortbread, rich caramel, and smooth chocolate. These delightful treats are not only visually stunning but also easy to make, perfect for sharing during holiday gatherings. Each bite captures the essence of Christmas magic, making them an unforgettable addition to your dessert table.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- green food coloring (optional)
- festive sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth (3-4 minutes).
- Gradually mix in flour until dough forms; press into prepared pan.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until lightly golden; cool completely.
- For caramel, combine sweetened condensed milk and butter in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring until thickened (10-12 minutes). Pour over cooled shortbread.
- Melt chocolate chips in the microwave; pour over caramel layer and spread evenly.
- If desired, mix green food coloring into melted chocolate before drizzling. Add sprinkles for decoration.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting into tree shapes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Holiday
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece (45g)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
