Caramel Shortcake or Millionaire's Shortbread

Shortbread with a caramel layer topped with chocolate; heaven in a bar. A bit fiddly but well worth the effort. Do not be put off by the list of ingredients as you are making 3 items to become 1 deliciously fattening slice. I usually have a queue of family and workmates waiting for it.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 12
• Yields: 12 squares

Ingredients

• BASE

• 8  ounces butter
• 4  ounces sugar
• 12  ounces plain flour

• FILLING

• 8  ounces butter or 8  ounces margarine
• 4  ounces sugar
• 4  tablespoons  syrup
• 1 (410 g) can sweetened condensed milk

• TOPPING

• 8  ounces chocolate
• 1  ounce butter

Directions

1. BASE (first 3 ingredients):
2. Cream butter and sugar.
3. Add the flour and stir to make a mixture that is soft and will go together when squashed.
4. Lightly knead and then roll out or place into a deep Swiss roll tin.
5. Press into place with the palm of your hand until even.
6. Prick all over with a fork.
7. Bake in the oven for 25 minutes gas 4.
8. Cool in the tin.
9. FILLING (middle four ingredients):
10. Place the butter, sugar, syrup, and condensed milk into a pan and bring slowly to a boil.
11. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
12. Once boiling keep on a slow boil stirring all the time for about 5 to 7 minutes.
13. Caramel should be thick and golden.
14. Allow to cool.
15. When cool pour over the biscuit mixture and leave to set.
16. TOPPING (last 2 ingredients):
17. Melt the chocolate and butter over a pan of simmering water.
18. Spread over top of the caramel layer.
19. Cut into squares or fingers once set.
20. Do not be put off by the stages; very easy and worth the wait. It looks like you have been in the kitchen and slaving over the cooker for hours. You will get compliments with this one.