Caramel Slice | Easy, Classic Australian Dessert Recipe (2024)

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This caramel slice is a classic Australian dessert! It features a winning combination of a simple shortbread crust, gooey caramel filling, and a delicate milk chocolate topping.

Caramel Slice | Easy, Classic Australian Dessert Recipe (1)

If you’ve tried our Millionaire shortbread or caramel cookie dough bars, you’ll adore this caramel slice recipe. It’s an Aussie twist on both those desserts, but even more delicious!

Table of Contents
  1. What is a caramel slice?
  2. Ingredients needed
  3. How to make a caramel slice
  4. Tips to make the best recipe
  5. Variations
  6. Storage instructions
  7. More Australian desserts to try
  8. Frequently asked questions
  9. Caramel Slice (Recipe Card)

What is a caramel slice?

A caramel slice is a dessert popularly sold in Australian bakeries. It is a three-layer dessert that features a shortbread base, a soft caramel filling, and a chocolate topping.

Why this caramel slice recipe will be a dessert staple-

  • Simple ingredients. No hard-to-find candy, flour, or chocolate.
  • No baking is required. Besides the shortbread base, there is no need to bake anything.
  • Easy to customize. Change up the flour, use different chocolate, or cut the dairy.

What we love about these caramel bars is just how incredible the texture is. A buttery shortbread base, a gooey caramel, and a chopping topping that melts in your mouth? I’m already salivating!

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Ingredients needed

This recipe calls for pantry staple ingredients that you probably already have on hand! Here is what you’ll need:

For the shortbread base:

  • Butter. Unsalted and softened.
  • Sugar. White or brown granulated sugar.
  • Flour. All-purpose flour, sifted.
  • Salt. To balance out the sweetness of the dough.

For the caramel filling:

  • Condensed milk. To provide a thick base for the filling.
  • Butter. To provide a rich texture and flavor.
  • Sugar. White or brown granulated sugar.
  • Light corn syrup OR golden syrup.Adds sweetness and also prevents the caramel from burning.
  • Vanilla extract. To enhance all flavors.

Topping

  • Milk chocolate. Use good quality chocolate for melting. Chop the chocolate into small pieces for easy and even melting.
  • Coconut oil. A small amount of coconut oil added to melting chocolate gives it a glossy finish. It also helps prevent the chocolate from cracking once it’s set.

How to make a caramel slice

While a classic caramel slice contains three layers, making it doesn’t take a lot of time. In fact, the hard part is waiting for it to firm up!

Step 1 – Bake the shortbread crust

Preheat the oven to 350F degrees. While the oven heats beat together butter and sugar until fluffy. Sift in the flour, add salt, and mix until thoroughly combined.Transfer the dough to a pre-greased square pan. Press evenly until smooth. Prick with a fork to prevent the crust from puffing up.

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Step 2- Make the caramel filling

Add the condensed milk, butter, sugar, corn syrup or golden syrup, and vanilla extract to a saucepan and place it over low heat. Stir until the mixture comes to a boil. Once boiling, stir more vigorously to prevent the caramel from burning.

Remove the caramel from heat when it reaches 225F on a candy thermometer. Continue to store for 2-3 minutes.

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Pour the caramel over the shortbread base, spread it evenly, and let it cool.

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Step 3- Melt the chocolate

Add chopped milk chocolate and coconut oil to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at 20-second intervals and mix until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth.

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Pour the chocolate over the cooled caramel topping. Spread evenly and allow it to set at room temperature.

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Step 4- slice and serve

Once cool, slice into even pieces and serve.

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Tips to make the best recipe

  • Don’t skip the corn syrup. Corn syrup and/or golden syrup prevents the sugar from crystallizing which in turn, yields an incredibly smooth and gooey caramel.
  • Use full-fat condensed milk. Using light or fat-free condensed milk causes the caramel filling not to set properly.
  • Cook the caramel on low heat and keep stirring. These two things will ensure that you don’t burn the caramel.
  • Chill the dough. Chilling the shortbread dough for 15 to 60 minutes will help you roll it out easily.

Variations

The beauty of this dessert is that you can do a few tweaks to it and still achieve the most perfect slice. Here is what we’ve tested:

  • Add some salt. For a salted caramel slice, sprinkle some coarse sea salt on top.
  • Use white or dark chocolate. For a sweeter or richer note, switch up the chocolate used on top.
  • Cut the dairy. Use coconut condensed milk, dairy-free butter, and vegan chocolate chips for the topping.
  • Make it gluten-free. Use gluten-free flour for the shortbread crust and this dessert is suitable for celiacs.

Storage instructions

To store: Place caramel slices in an airtight container for up to 5 days. You can leave the slices at room temperature. But if it is too hot where you live, refrigerate them to prevent the chocolate topping from melting.

To freeze: Caramel slices are the perfect treat to freeze. Freeze it in individual servings wrapped in food wrap. Then place the slices in an airtight bag or container and enjoy within 3 months.

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More Australian desserts to try

  • Caramilk slice
  • Caramilk cheesecake
  • Chocolate slice
  • Caramilk banana bread
  • Caramilk cookies

Frequently asked questions

Where does caramel slice originate from?

Caramel slice, also known as caramel shortbread, has a Scottish origin and dates back to the 12th century.

As the modern recipe of caramel slice first appeared in an Australian magazine and became very popular, caramel slice is associated not only with Scottish but also Australian cuisine.

Why does my slice don’t set?

If the caramel filling doesn’t set, you most likely haven’t cooked it long enough. The caramel should be pourable but thick when you remove it from the heat. It takes around 10 minutes for the caramel to set.

How do you cut a perfect caramel slice?

There are a few tips you can use to get perfectly neat caramel slices. First off, if you have the caramel slice in the fridge, let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before cutting it.

Run the knife under warm water. Dry the knife and cut while the knife is still warm. Clean the knife after each slice to get super neat pieces.

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Caramel Slice

5 from 40 votes

This caramel slice is a classic Australian dessert! It features a winning combination of a simple shortbread crust, gooey caramel filling, and a delicate milk chocolate topping.

Servings: 16 slices

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 10 minutes mins

Total: 15 minutes mins

Rate This Recipe

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Ingredients

Shortbread

Caramel

Chocolate

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Grease an 8 x 8-inch square pan with oil and set aside.

  • Beat together the butter and sugar until fluffy. Sift in the flour and salt and mix until combined.

  • Transfer the mixture to the lined pan and press down until smooth. Prink with a fork. Bake for 15 minutes, or until just golden. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely.

  • Place all the caramel ingredients into a small saucepan and place it over low heat. Stir very well until it begins to boil. Once boiling, continue to stir vigorously, ensuring the caramel doesn’t scorch. Once it reaches 225F on a candy thermometer, remove it from the heat while continuing to stir for another 2-3 minutes.

  • Pour over the shortbread base and allow it cool completely.

  • Once the caramel has cooled, add the chopped chocolate and coconut oil into a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 20-second spurts until melted.

  • Pour over the top and spread evenly. Let it cool to room temperature.Once cool, slice and serve.

Notes

TO STORE: Place caramel slices in an airtight container for up to 5 days. You can leave the slices at room temperature. But if it is too hot where you live, refrigerate them to prevent the chocolate topping from melting.

TO FREEZE: Caramel slices are the perfect treat to freeze. Freeze it in individual servings wrapped in food wrap. Then place the slices in an airtight bag or container and enjoy within 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 234kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 2gFat: 13gSodium: 144mgPotassium: 62mgFiber: 0.3gVitamin A: 389IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 41mgIron: 1mgNET CARBS: 29g

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American, australian

Author: Arman Liew

Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

Caramel Slice | Easy, Classic Australian Dessert Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is a substitute for golden syrup in caramel slices? ›

Caramel Slice is also known as Millionaires Shortbread - both contain a crunchy base, caramel filling and chocolate topping. Golden Syrup Substitutes - you can replace the golden syrup with corn syrup, honey or maple syrup.

Why does my caramel slice not set? ›

skim condensed milk) instead of full fat milk (it will not set properly), you didn't bake the caramel layer (this makes sure it sets) or you used a recipe where the caramel filling is made without condensed milk (in which case you need a candy thermometer to achieve an exact temperature to ensure it sets).

How do you thicken caramel for caramel slices? ›

How to Thicken Caramel Sauce
  1. Add heavy cream. Some caramel sauce recipes call for milk, but if you find this still produces a thin sauce, you can add room-temperature heavy cream and return the caramel sauce to the stove for another few minutes. ...
  2. Cook the sauce longer. ...
  3. Make more caramel. ...
  4. Use a slurry.
Jan 21, 2022

How do you cut caramel slices without cracking them? ›

It's most important to score through the chocolate layer with a small sharp knife completely before pressing down firmly through the caramel and base (using a large, flat knife). If you try and cut all 3 layers at once, the chocolate will break and the caramel will squish out the sides.

What is the American version of golden syrup? ›

In the U.S., golden syrup is usually sold under the name of light treacle, but it's not readily available in many grocery stores. In cooking recipes, molasses and light treacle are often used interchangeably because their textures and flavor profiles are similar.

Is condensed milk the same as Evaporated Milk? ›

Both are concentrated, shelf-stable milk products that have been heated until at least 60 percent of their water content has evaporated. The main difference between evaporated milk and condensed milk is that evaporated milk is unsweetened while condensed milk is sweetened.

How do you keep caramel from turning into toffee? ›

To make a perfect easy caramel every-time, simply add one or two drops of vinegar and just enough water to wet the sugar. The idea is to lower the PH. you can also use a small pinch of citric acid or cream of tartar if you have.

Why did my caramel slice split? ›

If the heat is too high, but butter might melt too quickly and can separate from the sugar. Toffee and caramel can also separate if the recipe calls for constant stirring and the candy isn't stirred often enough.

What makes caramel more runny? ›

To thin caramel, just add some cream or water over heat. Melt caramel loaves in the oven. You can also add corn syrup or lemon juice to caramel sauces to prevent them from crystallizing.

How do you cut a millionaires shortbread without cracking it? ›

Slice using a hot, sharp knife.

Run a sharp, large knife until hot water for a minute or so. Then dry with a cloth and slice through the Millionaire's Shortbread. The heat with soften the layers and prevent the chocolate on top from cracking.

Why is my caramel slice grainy? ›

Caramel becomes grainy when the sugars crystallize, a process that happens when the melted sugar splashes up onto the cold sides of the pan. It loses its moisture and turns back into a sugar crystal. If this crystal touches the melted mass, it causes a chain reaction and the caramel will seize up and become grainy.

How do you cut slices perfectly? ›

Dip the Knife in Hot Water

It's essential for perfection. Dipping the knife in hot water before cutting will prevent tearing, uneven slicing, or frosting sticking to the knife. The residual heat of the knife ensures that the frosting stays where it is supposed to be and helps the knife slide through it like butter.

Why don't you stir caramel? ›

Then, as soon as the mixture comes to a boil, it should not be stirred, as the agitation can cause crystallization. “It's best to start a wet caramel over low heat until the sugar has dissolved, then increase the heat to medium for caramelization,” says Mel. “As the water evaporates, the sugar eventually caramelizes.”

Can I use honey instead of golden syrup in caramel? ›

If you cannot buy golden syrup then agave nectar or corn syrup are good alternatives for the sauce. Glucose syrup is also a possibility if you can buy it in larger containers. If you do wish to try making the Salted Caramel Sauce with honey then we suggest buying a liquid, light coloured and mildly flavoured variety.

Can I swap golden syrup for honey? ›

It can be used wherever honey is used, providing a lesser flavour spectrum but saving rather a lot of cost; this would include on porridge, pancakes and waffles, in flapjacks, ginger cakes and similar. To really showcase this ingredient, try making our golden syrup dumplings.

Can I use regular syrup instead of golden syrup? ›

Some may use maple syrup, light corn syrup, honey, light treacle and even agave syrup. Unfortunately, they won't always work to replace the sticky, thick consistency and strong flavour that Golden syrup offers. The best alternatives will have different flavours and consistencies.

Can I use condensed milk instead of golden syrup? ›

As sweetened condensed milk is slightly runnier than golden syrup, you may need to adjust for this in your recipe by reducing the volume of other liquids, e.g. milk or water in your recipe. Otherwise, you can use a 1:1 swap.

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