Cozy Pumpkin Pie Millionaire Shortbread Recipe: Fall’s Sweet Treat

Sweet pumpkin pie millionaire shortbread combines decadent layers that revamp ordinary dessert expectations.

Luxurious textures cascade through each carefully constructed bite, promising an extraordinary culinary experience.

Seasonal spices dance across rich caramel and buttery shortbread, creating complex flavor profiles that tantalize sophisticated palates.

Crisp golden crusts contrast smooth, silky fillings in ways that challenge traditional confectionery boundaries.

Warm autumn memories infuse every delectable morsel with nostalgic comfort and sophisticated indulgence.

Robust ingredients harmonize into a masterpiece that elevates home baking from simple task to artistic expression.

This recipe will revolutionize your dessert repertoire with its unexpected and irresistible combination.

Pumpkin Pie Millionaire Shortbread That Feels Luxurious

• Celebrate Seasonal Comfort: Elevate classic millionaire shortbread with cozy pumpkin pie spices, transforming a traditional treat into an autumn-inspired dessert that hugs your taste buds with warm, nostalgic flavors.
• Master Layered Luxury: Create a decadent dessert featuring three irresistible textures- buttery shortbread crust, silky caramel-pumpkin filling, and smooth white chocolate topping that delivers a perfect balance of richness and sweetness.
• Quick Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Whip up an impressive treat in under an hour with simple techniques that require minimal baking skills, making it ideal for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or weekend baking adventures where everyone will marvel at your culinary creativity.

Tips for Perfect Caramel and Pumpkin Layers

• Master the Butter Technique: Cut cold butter into flour using a pastry cutter or your fingertips for a crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread base that ensures perfect texture.
• Control Caramel Consistency: Stir the filling constantly and maintain low-medium heat to prevent burning, creating a smooth, rich caramel with deep pumpkin flavor.
• Achieve Chocolate Perfection: Melt white chocolate gently to avoid seizing, stirring occasionally to ensure a glossy, silky topping that sets beautifully.
• Slice Like a Pro: Use a clean, hot knife wiped between cuts for crisp, clean edges that showcase the layers of this decadent dessert.
• Chill for Maximum Flavor: Let the bars set completely in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to enhance the flavor melding and create a firm, sliceable treat.

How to Keep Pumpkin Shortbread Fresh

• Refrigerate: Store the pumpkin pie millionaire shortbread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep layers separated with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Freeze: Wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Reheat: Bring chilled squares to room temperature for 15-20 minutes before enjoying. For a warm treat, microwave individual pieces for 10-15 seconds on low power, checking to prevent chocolate from burning.

Drinks or Snacks to Serve with Pumpkin Shortbread

• Pair Warming Spiced Coffee: Brew a rich, cinnamon-infused coffee that complements the pumpkin pie spices in the millionaire shortbread. The warm, aromatic drink echoes the dessert's cozy autumn flavors, creating a delightful sensory experience.
• Match Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Serve a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream alongside the shortbread. Its cool, smooth texture provides a perfect contrast to the rich, sweet layers of caramel and white chocolate.
• Sip Spiced Chai Latte: Enjoy a smooth, fragrant chai latte with this dessert. The blend of cardamom, ginger, and cinnamon in the drink harmonizes beautifully with the pumpkin and caramel notes of the shortbread.
• Complement Salted Caramel Bourbon: For an adult treat, pour a small glass of salted caramel bourbon. Its deep, complex flavors enhance the dessert's buttery caramel and white chocolate layers, creating a luxurious pairing.

Ways to Change Up Pumpkin Pie Millionaire Bars

• Autumn Spice Shortbread: Replace pumpkin pie spice with a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger for a warm, seasonal flavor profile. Enhance the base with chopped pecans for extra crunch and nutty undertones.
• Maple Pecan Variation: Swap corn syrup with pure maple syrup and add chopped toasted pecans to the caramel filling. Drizzle additional maple syrup over the white chocolate topping for intense maple notes.
• Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Dream: Substitute white chocolate with dark chocolate for a rich, intense finish. Sprinkle sea salt flakes on top to create a sophisticated sweet-salty contrast that complements the pumpkin caramel base.
• Chai Spiced Sensation: Infuse the caramel filling with chai tea spices like cardamom, cloves, and star anise. Mix ground chai spices into the shortbread base for a complex, aromatic dessert experience that elevates the traditional recipe.

What’s in Pumpkin Millionaire Shortbread

• All-Purpose Flour: A classic baking staple that provides structure and texture to the shortbread base.
• White Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a crisp, golden shortbread crust.
• Cold Butter: Ensures a flaky, tender base with rich buttery flavor and proper texture.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: Brings warm, autumnal flavors with a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and other spices.

• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Creates a rich, smooth caramel base with intense sweetness.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep, molasses-like flavor and contributes to the caramel's color.
• Corn Syrup: Helps prevent sugar crystallization and provides glossy smoothness.
• Butter: Enhances richness and contributes to the caramel's creamy texture.
• Pumpkin Puree: Introduces subtle pumpkin flavor and seasonal warmth to the filling.

• White Chocolate: Provides a smooth, sweet topping that complements the caramel layer.

Steps to Build Pumpkin Pie Millionaire Bars

Step 1: Craft the Crumbly Foundation

• Cold butter
• White sugar
• All-purpose flour
• Pumpkin pie spice

Blend ingredients until they form sandy crumbs. Press mixture firmly into a 9 x 13-inch pan. Bake for 20 minutes until edges turn golden. Let cool slightly.

Step 2: Create Luxurious Caramel Layer

• Sweetened condensed milk
• Corn syrup
• Brown sugar
• Butter
• Pumpkin puree

Melt ingredients in a double boiler, stirring constantly. Watch the mixture transform into a rich, thick caramel over 10-15 minutes. Pour gently over the baked crust. Allow complete cooling.

Step 3: Crown with Silky Chocolate Topping

Melt white chocolate until perfectly smooth. Drizzle over the cooled caramel layer. Spread evenly using a spatula. Let set at room temperature or chill briefly for faster results.

Step 4: Slice and Celebrate

Grab a sharp knife. Dip in hot water between cuts to achieve clean, beautiful squares. Wipe blade after each slice to prevent chocolate cracking. Serve and savor your masterpiece!

Pumpkin Pie Millionaire Shortbread Recipe

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4.8 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Pumpkin pie millionaire shortbread blends classic Scottish shortbread with autumnal spices and rich caramel layers. Creamy pumpkin filling nestled between buttery shortbread and silky chocolate creates an irresistible seasonal treat perfect for holiday gatherings.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

Flour

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

Base Ingredients:

• 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• ¼ cup (50 grams) white sugar
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Filling and Topping Ingredients:

• 1 can (14 ounces / 396 grams) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup (220 grams) brown sugar
• ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter
• ¼ cup corn syrup
• ¼ cup pumpkin puree
• 1 ½ cups white chocolate, finely chopped

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Instructions

1. Craft a buttery foundation by blending chilled butter cubes with flour, white sugar, and pumpkin pie spice until the mixture develops a sandy, crumbly texture.
2. Transfer the crumbly blend into a rectangular baking pan, pressing firmly to create an even, compact layer that will serve as the shortbread base.
3. Roast the shortbread crust in a preheated oven until it achieves a delicate golden hue, ensuring a crisp and sturdy foundation for the subsequent layers.
4. Construct a luscious caramel filling by gently simmering sweetened condensed milk, corn syrup, brown sugar, butter, and pumpkin puree in a temperature-controlled environment.
5. Continuously stir the caramel mixture, watching it transform into a rich, thickened consistency that promises deep, complex flavors.
6. Cascade the velvety caramel across the cooled shortbread base, allowing it to settle and create a smooth, even layer.
7. Melt premium white chocolate using gentle heat, transforming it into a silky, glossy topping.
8. Delicately drape the molten white chocolate over the caramel layer, using a spatula to distribute it uniformly.
9. Enable the dessert to stabilize at ambient temperature, permitting the layers to harmonize and set naturally.
10. When ready to serve, employ a heated knife to slice through the layers, creating pristine, elegant squares that showcase the dessert’s intricate composition.

Notes

• Precision matters when cutting cold butter into the base, ensuring a crumbly, even texture that creates a perfect shortbread foundation.
• Constant stirring prevents burning during caramel filling preparation, transforming sweetened condensed milk into a rich, smooth pumpkin-spiced caramel.
• Hot water technique for cutting prevents jagged edges and maintains the beautiful layered appearance of each millionaire shortbread slice.
• Room temperature ingredients help achieve smoother mixing and more consistent texture throughout the dessert layers.
• White chocolate topping sets best when spread evenly and allowed to cool naturally, creating a glossy, professional finish.
• Pumpkin pie spice in the base adds warm, autumnal notes that elevate this classic dessert beyond traditional millionaire shortbread.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 415
• Sugar: 35 g
• Sodium: 140 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 46 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg