Skip to Content

Brown Sugar Shortbread Caramel Bars

Brown Sugar Shortbread Caramel Bars. Simple brown sugar shortbread crumble filled with a soft caramel centre. Simple but oh so deliciously addictive.

Brown Sugar Shortbread Caramel Bars

Brown Sugar Shortbread Caramel Bars

Originally published Dec 2017.

Okay, I’m gonna say it, this is my favourite new cookie of the Holiday baking season so far! I am a complete sucker for shortbread of any kind and brown sugar shortbread is a particular favourite.

Add to that a layer of soft, rich, creamy, chewy caramel and well, I am in heaven! I ate two of these as I was cutting them into squares!

Therefore, I quickly recognized my new calorie nemesis for their awesome addictive power. So, I quickly scurried them into the basement freezer out of easy reach.

Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed milk label stock photo

 

Somehow, I see that strategy as an inevitable epic fail. Eventually, I will have visions of 3 AM creeps over 2 flights of stairs to rendezvous with these cookies in a quiet corner of the basement.

One of my family members might happen to find me sitting on the deep freezer in my underwear. No doubt eating them frozen straight out of the container.

I apologize in advance for the scarring visual. I am weak.

Brown Sugar Shortbread Caramel Bars

Brown Sugar Shortbread Caramel Bars

UPDATE. Brown Sugar Shortbread Caramel Bars

2017 update: I still cannot resist these simple cookie bars; they are an all time favourite. I am updating the recipe today though to simplify the recipe and make the crumble just a little more buttery.

After making these several times, I think a little more butter helps the crumble stay together better. Additionally, I also took out the necessity to partially pre-bake the bottom.

I have omitted that step for the last two batches, as well as the one in the photos shown. They have been perfect every time.

butter photographed on a wooden cutting board.

Use only real dairy butter.

A reminder of a favourite treat.

What these cookies remind me of is the caramel tarts I first tasted in Wesleyville, in the Bonavista North area. They were little pastry tarts, or even a whole shallow pie crust.

The pastry was filled with caramel made from boiling a can of sweetened condensed milk for hours.

I have not made that sort of caramel for years, since they changed the can design to a pull tab type. This stovetop method however, does replicates the flavour and consistency of that caramel well. UPdate: You can use the caramel making method outlined in this Caramel Tarts recipe if you prefer.

Dulce de Leche Caramel Tarts photo with title text for Pinterest

Between the time on the stovetop and the time baking in the oven, the filling takes on the same rich caramel colour as well.

Since they do freeze well, now was the time to update the recipe in order for you fine folks to get them into your Christmas freezers too. You’ll be glad you did.

If you liked this recipe you may also like to try our Pecan Pie Bars

The Best Pecan Pie Bars photo with title text for Pinterest

The Best Pecan Pie Bars

Like this Brown Sugar Shortbread Caramel Bars recipe?

Be sure to browse the photo index of over 200 cookie and cookie bar recipes is in our expansive Cookies Category.

It’s easy to keep up with the latest home style cooking & baking ideas from Rock Recipes. Be sure to follow Rock Recipes Facebook Page and follow us on InstagramPlus you’ll see daily recipe suggestions from decadent desserts to quick delicious weekday meals too. 

Brown Sugar Shortbread Caramel Bars image with title text

Brown Sugar Shortbread Caramel Bars

You can also sign up for our FREE newsletter to know immediately when we add new recipes. You’ll also get weekly suggestions for great family friendly  meals and desserts too!

Originally Published November 28, 2012. Updated Dec. 2017

Brown Sugar Shortbread Caramel Bars
Yield: 24 cookie bars

Brown Sugar Shortbread Caramel Bars

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

Brown Sugar Shortbread Caramel Squares - Simple brown sugar shortbread crumble filled with a chewy caramel center. Simple but oh so delicious.

Ingredients

For the caramel filling

  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 300 ml can Canada. 14 oz can US
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 3 tbsp corn syrup

For the shortbread crumble

  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 3/4 cup butter

Instructions

To prepare the caramel filling

  1. The filling should be prepared first so that it can cool to room temperature. Coling can take a couple of hours.
  2. To a small saucepan add the sweetened condensed milk, butter and corn syrup.
  3. Bring to a very gentle boil, stirring constantly at all times. You have to stay with this caramel at all times and NOT stop stirring it or it will definitely stick to the bottom and burn. I find a wooden spoon is best for this and if you have one of those straight bottom paddle types that can scrape the bottom of the pot continuously as you stir, definitely use that. What you are trying to do here is develop a little colour in the caramel, not too much or your caramel will go hard. It will pick up a bit more colour in the oven so just a light golden colour is fine. This process should take about 10-15 minutes .
  4. It is very important to cool the filling to room temperature before proceeding. A hot filling will immediately melt the butter in the shortbread and ruin the cookies.
  5. To prepare the Shortbread Crumble
  6. Lightly grease and line a 9x9 inch baking pan with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  7. Rub together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder and butter using your hand or pulse together in a food processor until crumbly.
  8. Press about 1/2 of the crumble firmly into the bottom of the pan. I generally refrigerate the pan plus the remaining crumble for the top until the filling cools completely. Cold shortbread dough always bakes better.
  9. Spread the cooled filling evenly over the bottom layer of shortbread in the pan.
  10. Press the remaining crumble together in handfuls and break off little pieces about the size of the top of your pinkie finger. Scatter these evenly over the caramel layer.
  11. Bake for 30 minutes until the top is a nice golden brown.
  12. Cool completely to room temperature in the pan before cutting into squares. Makes about 2 dozen.

Notes

The nutritional information provided is automatically calculated by third party software and is meant as a guideline only. Exact accuracy is not guaranteed. For recipes where all ingredients may not be used entirely, such as those with coatings on meats, or with sauces or dressings for example, calorie & nutritional values per serving will likely be somewhat lower than indicated.

Recommended Products

Rock Recipes a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Our product recommendations are almost exclusively for those we currently use or have used in the past.

Nutrition Information

Yield

24

Serving Size

24 cookie bars

Amount Per Serving Calories 186Total Fat 9gSaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 3gCholesterol 27mgSodium 109mgCarbohydrates 24gFiber 0gSugar 18gProtein 3g

The nutritional information provided is automatically calculated by third party software and is meant as a guideline only. Exact accuracy is not guaranteed. For recipes where all ingredients may not be used entirely, such as those with coatings on meats, or with sauces or dressings for example, calorie & nutritional values per serving will likely be somewhat lower than indicated.

Did you like this recipe?

Do you love our "Real food recipes for real people'? Share the recipe on Facebook to let your friends know about us. They'll thank you for it.

Rock Recipes a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Our product recommendations are almost exclusively for those we currently use or have used in the past.

Visit my Amazon Store for my favourite kitchen gadgets and appliances, plus recommendations from my personal cookbook collection.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

gladys reid

Wednesday 29th of March 2023

Can I use Golden Syrup as we cant get Corn Syrup x

gladys reid

Wednesday 29th of March 2023

Can i use golden syrup as we dont have Corn syrup

Autumn

Thursday 1st of December 2022

Light or dark corn syrup? This looks so delicious. Can't wait to try!

Barry C. Parsons

Friday 14th of December 2018

That's a new one. Never heard that ever, but just use white sugar.

Therese

Monday 4th of December 2017

How long do you bake it

Barry C. Parsons

Tuesday 5th of December 2017

30 minutes. Instructions are updated now.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Skip to Recipe

Sharing is Caring

Help spread the word. You're awesome for doing it!