Let's just take a moment and appreciate the architecture of this dessert. This isn't just a bar; it's a masterpiece in four parts: buttery shortbread crust, tangy cheesecake, thick gooey caramel, and a snap of dark chocolate on top. These Millionaires Cheesecake Bars are the ultimate layered dessert recipe, and I'll walk you through each simple step.
This millionaire's cheesecake bar recipe is the perfect party dessert combining three beloved elements. Millionaire's Cheesecake Bars recipe has a buttery shortbread base with salted caramel cheesecake and silky dark chocolate ganache creating layers of pure indulgence.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Millionaires Cheesecake Bars
- Ingredients for Millionaires Cheesecake Bars
- How to Make Millionaires Cheesecake Bars
- My Top Tips for Millionaires Cheesecake Bars
- Making Millionaires Cheesecake Bars with My Family
- Substitutions for Millionaires Cheesecake Bars
- Variations on Millionaires Cheesecake Bars
- Equipment for Millionaires Cheesecake Bars
- Storage Tips for Millionaires Cheesecake Bars
- Adam's Tip for Millionaires Cheesecake Bars
- FAQ about Millionaires Cheesecake Bars
- Conclusion
- Related
- Pairing
- recipe
Why You'll Love This Millionaires Cheesecake Bars
- Three layers of heaven: The shortbread cookie crust, salted caramel cheesecake filling, and dark chocolate ganache topping create the ultimate flavor and texture combination.
- Make-ahead friendly: These bars need to chill overnight, making them perfect for entertaining since all the work is done in advance.
- Impressive presentation: The elegant layers make these millionaires cheesecake bars look like they came from a high-end bakery, but they're surprisingly achievable at home.
Ingredients for Millionaires Cheesecake Bars
These millionaires cheesecake bars recipe uses room-temperature cream cheese mixing to create a creamy cheesecake batter that's perfectly smooth. The rich salted caramel sauce is made from scratch, and the dark chocolate ganache topping adds the finishing touch. A flaky sea salt swirl / sprinkle on top makes them extra special.
What You'll Need
For the Shortbread Crust:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, cold and cubed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cheesecake Layer:
- 24 ounces (3 packages) cream cheese, softened at room temperature
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- ½ cup sour cream, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup caramel sauce (for swirling)
For the Salted Caramel Sauce:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons butter, room temperature
- ½ cup heavy cream, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
For the Chocolate Ganache:
- 8 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
For Garnish:
- Flaky sea salt
- Extra caramel drizzle (optional)
Why These Ingredients Matter
- Room-temperature cream cheese: This is crucial for achieving a smooth, lump-free creamy cheesecake batter that bakes evenly.
- Homemade caramel: Making your own rich salted caramel sauce ensures the perfect balance of sweet and salty without artificial flavors.
- Dark chocolate: Using quality dark chocolate for the ganache creates a sophisticated, not-too-sweet dark chocolate ganache topping.
How to Make Millionaires Cheesecake Bars
Step-by-Step Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the sides.
- Make the shortbread crust: In a food processor, pulse flour, sugar, and salt together.
- Add cold butter cubes and vanilla, pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until lightly golden. Cool completely.
- Make the caramel: Heat sugar in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until melted and amber colored.
- Add butter carefully (it will bubble), stir until melted.
- Remove from heat, slowly pour in heavy cream while stirring. Add salt. Let cool.
- Reduce oven temperature to 325°F.
- For the cheesecake, beat cream cheese and sugar on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Add sour cream and vanilla.
- Pour creamy cheesecake batter over the cooled shortbread crust.
- Drizzle ¼ cup of caramel sauce over the batter and swirl gently with a knife.
- Place the pan in a larger roasting pan and fill with hot water halfway up the sides for water bath baking (steam bath).
- Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until edges are set but center jiggles slightly.
- Turn off oven, crack door, and cool for 1 hour.
- Remove from oven and water bath, cool completely, then refrigerate for 4 hours.
- Make ganache: Heat cream until simmering, pour over chopped chocolate, let sit 2 minutes, then stir until smooth. Add butter.
- Pour ganache over chilled cheesecake layer and spread evenly.
- Drizzle with remaining caramel sauce and sprinkle with flaky sea salt swirl / sprinkle.
- Refrigerate overnight before cutting into bars.
Hint: For millionaires cheesecake bars no bake, skip baking the cheesecake layer and set it with gelatin, then refrigerate for 6 hours until firm.
My Top Tips for Millionaires Cheesecake Bars
Let the bars chill overnight before cutting. This allows all the layers to set properly and makes slicing clean and easy. Use a hot, dry knife to cut through the chocolate ganache layer without cracking it. Wipe the knife clean between each cut for the most beautiful slices. The shortbread cookie crust needs to be completely cool before adding the cheesecake layer to prevent melting. This technique is similar to what we use with our dark chocolate raspberry cheesecake, where proper layering makes all the difference.
Making Millionaires Cheesecake Bars with My Family
Last weekend, Adam helped me make these millionaire cheesecake bars for a family gathering. He was fascinated by making the caramel and watched as the sugar melted and turned golden. "It's like magic!" he said. When I let him drizzle the caramel over the cheesecake, he took his job very seriously, creating careful zigzag patterns.
The next day when we cut into the bars, Adam's jaw dropped. "Mom, look at all the layers! It's like a fancy cake but in a square." Grandma Viola tried one and said, "A shortbread crust, cheesecake, buttery caramel, and a rich chocolate ganache topping make this absolutely divine. These are better than anything I've bought at a bakery."
Substitutions for Millionaires Cheesecake Bars
- Crust: Use store-bought shortbread cookies crushed with butter for a quicker shortbread cookie crust.
- Caramel: Use store-bought millionaires cheesecake bars with condensed milk style caramel if you're short on time, though homemade is better.
- Chocolate: Try milk chocolate for a sweeter ganache, or white chocolate for a different look.
- Cream cheese: For millionaires cheesecake bars philadelphia, use Philadelphia brand for the creamiest texture.
Variations on Millionaires Cheesecake Bars
- No-bake version: Make millionaire cheesecake no bake by using a no-bake cheesecake filling with gelatin for setting.
- Jane's Patisserie style: Try millionaires cheesecake jane's patisserie inspired by adding extra caramel layers between each component.
- Mini version: Create individual mini millionaires cheesecakes recipe tutorial style desserts in muffin tins for perfect portions. Check out this chocolate turtles cheesecake for more layered cheesecake inspiration.
Equipment for Millionaires Cheesecake Bars
- 9x13-inch baking pan: The perfect size for creating thick, luxurious bars that serve a crowd.
- Food processor: Makes creating the shortbread crust quick and easy with perfect texture.
- Large roasting pan: For the water bath baking (steam bath) that ensures creamy, crack-free cheesecake.
- Offset spatula: Essential for spreading the ganache smoothly and evenly over the cheesecake layer.
Storage Tips for Millionaires Cheesecake Bars
- Refrigerator: Cover and store for up to 5 days. The flavors develop beautifully after a day or two.
- Freezer: Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
- Make-ahead: These bars must be made at least 1 day ahead, making them perfect for parties and easy cheesecake desserts planning.
These millionaires cheesecake bars are perfect for chocolate chip cheesecake bar recipe lovers and layered cheesecake enthusiasts. The salted caramel cheesecake filling with dark chocolate ganache topping makes them ideal for special occasions. They pair beautifully with our rose pistachio cheesecake ice cream when you want variety in your cheesecake with chocolate collection.
Adam's Tip for Millionaires Cheesecake Bars
"The sea salt on top is really important. Don't skip it because it makes the chocolate and caramel taste even better. Also, these are really rich, so cut them into small squares or you'll get a tummy ache."
FAQ about Millionaires Cheesecake Bars
Do you need golden syrup for Millionaire shortbread?
No, you don't need golden syrup for Millionaire shortbread. Traditional recipes use it in the caramel layer, but you can make excellent caramel with just sugar, butter, and cream. For these millionaires cheesecake bars recipe, we make a rich salted caramel sauce without golden syrup that's smooth and delicious. If you want to use it, substitute 2 tablespoons of golden syrup for some of the sugar in the caramel for a deeper flavor.
Why are they called Millionaire Bars?
Millionaire Bars are called that because they're so rich and indulgent, they taste like "a million dollars." The name also refers to the luxurious layers: shortbread cookie crust, salted caramel cheesecake filling, and dark chocolate ganache topping. The combination of butter-rich shortbread, sweet caramel, and expensive-tasting chocolate makes them feel extravagant. Some say it's also because you'd need to be a millionaire to afford eating them from a fancy bakery regularly!
What flavour is Millionaire cheesecake?
Millionaire cheesecake flavor is a combination of buttery shortbread, sweet and salty caramel, rich cream cheese, and dark chocolate. The salted caramel cheesecake filling is the star, providing sweet and tangy notes. The shortbread cookie crust adds buttery crunch, while the dark chocolate ganache topping brings sophistication. The flaky sea salt swirl / sprinkle on top enhances all the flavors. It's essentially a cheesecake version of millionaire shortbread.
What's the difference between millionaire and billionaire shortbread?
Millionaire shortbread has three layers: shortbread base, caramel, and chocolate. Billionaire shortbread adds a fourth layer of biscuit pieces, cookie crumbs, or sometimes peanut butter between the caramel and chocolate, making it even more decadent. For these millionaires cheesecake bars, we've elevated the concept by replacing the simple caramel layer with creamy cheesecake batter swirled with rich salted caramel sauce, making them arguably even better than billionaire status!
Conclusion
It's so much fun to see these beautiful layers come together, and even more fun to take that first bite. You've just built a perfect, delicious, edible skyscraper of joy! These Millionaires Cheesecake Bars are pure architectural perfection.
These millionaires cheesecake bars recipe are perfect for easy cheesecake desserts and special occasions. Whether you make them as millionaires cheesecake bars no bake or traditional baked, they're always show-stoppers. Try our pumpkin better than sex cake or Texas chocolate pecan pie for more ideas. Enjoy!
Related
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Millionaires Cheesecake Bars:
recipe
Easy Millionaires Cheesecake Bars
Equipment
- 1 9x13-inch baking pan Line with parchment for easy removal
- 1 Food Processor For shortbread crust
- 1 Electric mixer For smooth cheesecake filling
- 1 Large roasting pan For water bath
- 1 Saucepan For caramel
- 1 Offset spatula For ganache layering
- 1 Measuring cups & spoons
Ingredients
For the Shortbread Crust
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter Cold, cubed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cheesecake Layer
- 24 oz cream cheese Softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs Room temperature
- ½ cup sour cream Room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup caramel sauce For swirling
For the Salted Caramel Sauce
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoon butter Room temperature
- ½ cup heavy cream Room temperature
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
For the Chocolate Ganache
- 8 oz dark chocolate Chopped
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoon butter
For Garnish
- flaky sea salt
- extra caramel drizzle Optional
Instructions
- My daughter loves being in charge of the oven dial, so she sets it to 350°F while I line the pan with parchment. It’s our little teamwork ritual.
- We pulse the [flour], [sugar], and [salt] together, then add cold [butter] and [vanilla] until it looks like soft sand. She helps press it firmly into the pan.
- We bake for 20–25 minutes until golden and let it cool completely. This is usually when she sneaks buttery crumbs.
- I handle the hot sugar while she watches wide-eyed as [sugar] melts, then we carefully stir in [butter], [cream], and [sea salt].
- We beat the [cream cheese] and [sugar] until silky, then add the [eggs], [sour cream], and [vanilla]. She always says it looks like cake frosting.
- We drizzle [caramel sauce] over the cheesecake and gently swirl it together. She takes this step very seriously, it’s her masterpiece moment.
- We place the pan in a water bath and bake at 325°F for 40–45 minutes until set around the edges.
- After cooling, we refrigerate for 4 hours. My daughter always asks how long “cheesecake patience” takes.
- We pour hot [cream] over chopped [dark chocolate] and stir in [butter] until smooth and glossy.
- She helps pour the ganache, drizzle more [caramel], and sprinkle [flaky sea salt]. We refrigerate overnight before slicing.
Notes
- For no-bake Millionaires Cheesecake Bars, use a gelatin-based filling and chill 6 hours.
- Store refrigerated up to 5 days.
- Freeze individual bars up to 2 months.
- For a quicker shortcut, use store-bought caramel, but homemade truly makes these unforgettable.
- These are very rich, small squares are perfect for serving.
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