These Billionaire Bars are made with 5 glorious layers of RICH and DECADENT sugary favorites! Shortbread, brownie, caramel, chocolate, and peanut butter frosting combine for the ultimate dessert bar! Everyone will be begging you for the recipe!
These Billionaire Bars need to happen ASAP! Like legit, you need to go make them right now, they are THAT good!
Most everyone has heard of Millionaire Bars or Million Dollar Bars, they’re basically homemade Twix with layers of shortbread cookie, caramel, and chocolate. I’ve decided to crank that up a notch and add in two extra layers to make these Billionaire Bars!
A layer of brownie and a layer of peanut butter frosting make these the most heavenly thing to come out of my kitchen since The Croissookie!
My husband and I joke that the Billionaire title really comes from the fact that there are probably about a billion calories in one pan of these babies, and though it’s not that extreme, there is a whole pound of butter in them! But they’re worth EVERY calorie!
How To Store Billionaire Bars
Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. They may be left at room temperature but should be consumed within a couple of days.
What Kind Of Brownie Mix Should I Use?
You can use your favorite kind, but I recommend keeping it simple. Avoid using one with too many chocolate chips or extra sauces. You can also use your favorite Homemade Brownie Recipe!
Recipe Variations
Feel free to use a different frosting if you’re looking to make this peanut-free. My Nutella Frosting or Cookie Butter Frosting would be lovely substitutes!
You could do the frosting layer on top of the cooled caramel and then a layer of the chocolate or a rich Chocolate Ganache on top of that if preferred!
These bars can be served slightly underdone for a gooey texture or baked a bit longer for a firmer texture. The shortbread and brownie layers are very forgiving and can be baked for up to 45 minutes.
More Dessert Recipes
- Chocolate Ganache
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
- Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies
- Salted Chocolate Chunk Shortbread Cookies
👋 Let’s Connect!
If you’ve tried this recipe, please let me know how you liked it in the comments below and leave a review; I love hearing from you! And don’t forget to tag me – @sugarandsoulco – on Instagram and Pinterest with your photos or join our Busy Family Recipes Facebook Community and share them there!
This recipe was originally published in February 2016 and was updated in August 2022 with fresh images and updated text.
Billionaire Bars
Video
Ingredients
Shortbread:
- 1½ cups unsalted butter softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 3 cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
- ½ cup corn starch
- 1 teaspoon salt
Brownies:
- Fudge Brownie Box Mix
- Additional ingredients required on back of box eggs, water, oil
Caramel:
- 10 ounces chewy caramels
- 3 tablespoon heavy cream
Chocolate:
- 1 cup 60% bittersweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
Peanut Butter Frosting:
- ½ batch Peanut Butter Frosting
Topping:
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with aluminum foil and set aside.
Shortbread:
- In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugar. Add in the flour, corn starch, and salt, beating slowly at first then increasing to medium-high speed for 3 to 4 minutes until the dough pulls away from the sides of the mixing bowl and is no longer crumbly.1½ cups unsalted butter, ¾ cup granulated sugar, 3 cups all-purpose flour, ½ cup corn starch, 1 teaspoon salt
- Press dough evenly into the prepared baking dish and set aside.
Brownies:
- Mix brownie ingredients together according to package instructions and pour over the shortbread dough, spreading out evenly. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes.Fudge Brownie Box Mix, Additional ingredients required on back of box
Caramel:
- When the cookie/brownie layer is about 10 minutes from being done, add the caramels and the heavy cream to a small saucepan and melt over medium heat, stirring constantly until candies are completely melted.10 ounces chewy caramels, 3 tablespoon heavy cream
- Remove the cookie/brownie layer from the oven when ready and pour the caramel sauce evenly over the brownie layer. Chill in the fridge for 1 to 2 hours until caramel is stiff to the touch.
Chocolate:
- Once caramel layer has set, add chocolate chips and butter to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 30-second intervals until melted, stirring between each one. It usually takes 1 minute. Quickly pour over the caramel and use the back of a spoon to spread out in an even layer. Because the caramel is cold the chocolate will stiffen fast, so your need to work fast here.1 cup 60% bittersweet chocolate chips, 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
Peanut Butter Frosting:
- Make a half batch of my Peanut Butter Frosting and evenly spread it out over the top of the hardened chocolate layer. Sprinkle with chocolate sprinkles.½ batch Peanut Butter Frosting, Chocolate sprinkles
- Gently lift the bars out of the pan by gripping the aluminum foil, I recommend picking one side of the bars to lift up while sliding the baking dish in the opposite direction so your bars are always close to the counter.
- Use a sharp knife to cut into squares for serving.
Notes
- A stand mixer with a paddle attachment is necessary for the shortbread dough or it may never come together.
- These bars can be served slightly underdone for a gooey texture or baked a bit longer for a firmer texture. The shortbread and brownie layers are very forgiving and can be baked for up to 45 minutes.
- You can use your favorite kind, but I recommend keeping it simple. Avoid using one with too many chocolate chips or extra sauces. You can also use your favorite Homemade Brownie Recipe!
Rebecca Hubbell says
Let the chocolate cool slightly before pouring it over the top of the frosting and it should be just fine. I usually let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes so it’s still melted enough to pour but not piping hot. I have a new cake recipe coming soon that pours ganache over this same frosting recipe and it is divine!
Ron Chapman says
If you switch the chocolate and peanut butter layer, wont the chocolate just melt the peanut butter? Would you be able to spread the chocolate on the peant butter layer?
This looks like it could be one of my favorites, can’t wait to make it.
Rebecca Hubbell says
You can use a different frosting flavor, but you can’t substitute malt powder in the particular recipe as it won’t turn out since powder and peanut butter are a different consistency.
Annette says
Can I substitute malt powder for the peanut butter I the buttercream frosting? My family is not fond of peanut butter frosting
Rebecca Hubbell says
You don’t have to but you can.
Rebecca Hubbell says
Hi Vicki, I would use aluminum foil as indicated in the instructions.
vicki says
Should i use parchment paper so the for it would not stick to anything
vicki Belgum says
D0 u spray the foil with pan