The BEST Gluten-free Millionaire Bars (vegan)

These Millionaire Shortbread Bars are gluten-free, vegan and absolutely delicious. Layers of shortbread cookie, peanut butter caramel and chocolate on top for an irresistible sweet snack or dessert.

We just got back from the Mayflower Inn & Spa. And when we were away we went to the cutest cafes. One of which had the most delicious gluten-free Millionaire Shortbread Bars. A thick shortbread cookie base with caramel and chocolate on top. A complete dream dessert or sweet snack in my opinion.

If you haven’t tried Millionaire Bars before – you are in for a treat. Traditionally these are packed with sugar and syrups and this version is a bit different. You know how I roll – there is a time and a place for real deal food. But I also love making things at home made with all nutritious ingredients than the conventional. 

These Millionaire Bars are gluten-free, have no refined sugar (depending on the chocolate you use) and they’re also vegan and dairy-free.

I love keeping things in the freezer because they stay good for a couple of months. They are the ultimate post lunch dessert if you want something sweet, a little salty and incredibly good.

I cannot wait to hear what you guys think of these! Let me know if you make them.

What ingredients you need for healthier Millionaire Bars:

• Almond flour – I haven’t tried another flour here
• Coconut oil – I have not used another oil here as I prefer to use coconut for this but feel free to try avocado oil if you prefer
• Maple syrup or honey – really either can work
• Vanilla extract – I love adding this for flavor
• Creamy nut butter – I use peanut butter but you can use almond butter, tahini, cashew butter, anything!
• Chocolate chips – dark chocolate, milk chocolate or semi-sweet all work

How to make these Millionaire Bars:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper
2. Combine ingredients for shortbread in a bowl and mix until well combined
3. Press dough into baking dish and bake in oven for about 20 minutes or until golden and fully cooked
4. Remove the baking dish from oven and let it cool while you prepare the caramel by warming together ingredients over low heat, stirring frequently until fully combined
5. Smear over shortbread and put into freezer for about 30 minutes
6. In a microwave safe bowl melt the chocolate and coconut oil in 30 second increments until melted, stirring after each
7. Pour chocolate over the caramel layer then evenly spread and all the bars to set in the freezer until firm (usually it is about 15 minutes)
8. Cut into bars and enjoy! 

FAQs and Tips on making gluten-free Millionaire Shortbread Bars:

1. Make sure you measure all ingredients well – Too much or too little flour or oil can impact the results 
2. Allow the bars to cool between steps – after the oven, after caramel and after chocolate. It is important to let each layer set first. This can compromise the results of the recipe
3. Cut the bars with a sharp chef’s knife – make sure to use a very sharp knife to cut them in one take. Otherwise the chocolate will crack on top
4. Store these bars in the freezer – I personally love them frozen but you can also keep in fridge. I let them thaw out for 5 minutes then eat.

A few other delicious childhood nostalgics to make:

Homemade Thin Mint Cookies (gluten-free)

Vegan Nutter Butter

Healthy Tagalong Girl Scout Cookies

4-ingredient Reese’s Bars