These healthy millionaire shortbreads are INCREDIBLE! There isn't much more than needs to be said about them! Layers of crumbly shortbread alternative, a healthy homemade caramel and then a layer of dark chocolate on top. Refined sugar free, they taste far more indulgent than they actually are but just 194 calories per slice.
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We love finding healthy ways to make our favorite treats and we grew up eating millionaires shortbread. We swapped the usual buttery shortbread base for our version made with oats.
Then we made our own caramel with dates, nut butter and maple syrup to keep it refined sugar free (but it seriously still tastes like real caramel). We kept the chocolate topping but used sugar-free dark chocolate chips.
Low calories? Not really! But, these are all good ingredients. Refined sugar free sweetening, high protein nut butter, fibre packed oats, dates and sugar free chocolate.
Portion control is key, but one square of this is a good portion and curbs a sweet craving. They might look messy, and they might be messy to eat, but these are one of the best things we have ever made!
No baking is required here, as these are raw millionaire shortbread. You just need to put them in the freezer to set. They can also be kept in the freezer the whole time which is actually a good thing, as these could easily tempt you to eat them all.
Looking for more healthy dessert recipes? Why not try our easy Chocolate Raspberry Peanut Butter Cups, delicious Chocolate Frozen Yogurt or our creamy Cottage Cheese Chocolate Mousse.
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Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Oats - This is the base of our shortbread. You could swap it for almond flour instead, but it would make it more crumbly.
- Protein powder - This is what helps to make it a high protein millionaire shortbread. We used a vanilla protein powder, but you could use flavorless or even a caramel version.
- Vanilla - This adds a lovely warm flavor. Use extract and not essence.
- Pure maple syrup - This is where the majority of the sweetness comes from, and helps to make it refined sugar free. You could use another liquid sweetener like honey or agave.
- Nut butter - Here is where the majority of the protein comes from. It also helps to bind the base and also thicken the healthy caramel. You can use any nut butter you like. We used almond butter, but peanut would make it cheaper.
- Sea salt - This really helps to bring out the sweetness in everything.
- Dates - This is the key ingredient to make homemade healthy caramel. Medjool dates are best and they will need to be soaked in hot water to soften.
- Chocolate - We always use these Refined Sugar Free Dark Chocolate Chips and we use them in anything with chocolate. You can use any chocolate for the top though.
- Coconut oil - This is melted with the chocolate to give it that shiny finish.
Variations
Nut free - Our kids LOVE these and they begged to take them to school as their snack. But being a nut free school, like most are, I had to disappoint them. However, you can swap the nuts for sunflower seed butter to make these nut free.
Vegan - To make these vegan, make sure the protein powder you are using is vegan. You can always swap it for more oats instead. Make sure the dark chocolate is vegan too.
How To Make Healthy Millionaire Shortbread
Prep: Put your kettle on to boil. Line a small baking tin with parchment paper (baking paper).
- Step 1: Put the dates into a bowl and cover with the boiled water. Allow to soak for 10 minutes.
- Step 2: In a mixing bowl add the oats, protein powder, vanilla, maple syrup and almond butter.
- Step 3: Mix well to form a dough like consistency.
- Step 4: Put the oat mixture into the lined tin and press down.
It may be a bit sticky, so place another piece of parchment paper on top and press that down.
- Step 5: Drain the dates and put them into a blender with the nut butter, maple syrup and salt.
- Step 6: Blend until it forms a caramel consistency.
- Step 7: Melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a small pan over a low heat. This will take 3-4 minutes.
- Step 8: Spread the date caramel layer over the oat base.
- Step 9: Pour the melted chocolate over the caramel. Sprinkle the salt over the chocolate.
- Step 10: Put into the freezer for about 20 minutes, or until the chocolate has set.
Serving Suggestions
A big glass of milk is the best thing to serve with these healthy millionaire shortbread! However, if you want something a bit more indulgent, then you can't go wrong with a hot chocolate.
Why not try our Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate, Oat Milk Hot Chocolate or Microwave Hot Chocolate.
For a super chocolaty protein boost, have it with our Chocolate Protein Shake.
Dannii's Top Tips
- Why not make billionaire shortbread? This involves adding something extra on top like some crushed pretzels. And add some edible gold spray to make them really fancy!
- We don't mind that these are messy. "Humble and rustic" as Jamie Oliver would say! However, if you want these to look neater when cutting them, then run a large knife under very hot water. The hot knife makes it easier to slice through the chocolate.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can keep these in the fridge or the freezer in an airtight container. In the fridge they will keep for up to a week. In the freezer they will keep for up to 3 months. We prefer them out of sight in the freezer.
Every nut butter is different, and it might not have been mixed very well, so it was more oily. You can use less date water if you like it's going to be too runny, or after blending add some more nut butter.
You can reserve the water used to soak dates and use it as a natural sweetener.
More Recipes with Dates
If you've tried this raw millionaire shortbread recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Healthy Millionaire Shortbread (High Protein)
Ingredients
For the base
- 90 g (1 cups) Oats - blended into flour (use certified gluten free oats to ensure this recipe is gluten free)
- 20 g (0.25 cups) Protein powder - vanilla
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 80 ml (0.33 cups) Maple syrup
- 70 g (0.25 cups) Almond butter
For the caramel
- 70 g (0.25 cups) Almond butter
- 60 ml (0.25 cups) Maple syrup
- 6 Medjool dates - pitted
- 2 tablespoon Reserved date water
- 1 pinch Sea salt
For the chocolate
- 100 g (0.5 cups) Dark chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon Coconut oil
- 1 pinch Sea salt
Instructions
- Put your kettle on to boil. Line a small baking tin with parchment paper (baking paper).
- Put 6 Medjool dates into a bowl and cover with the boiled water. Allow to soak for 10 minutes.
- In a mixing bowl add 90 g Oats, 20 g Protein powder, 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract, 80 ml Maple syrup and 70 g Almond butter.
- Mix well to form a dough like consistency.
- Put the oat mixture into the lined tin and press down.It may be a bit sticky, so place another piece of parchment paper on top and press that down.
- Drain the dates and put them into a blender with 70 g Almond butter, 60 ml Maple syrup, 2 tablespoon Reserved date water and 1 pinch Sea salt.
- Blend until it forms a caramel consistency.
- Melt 100 g Dark chocolate chips and 1 tablespoon Coconut oil in a small pan over a low heat. This will take 3-4 minutes.
- Spread the caramel over the oat base.
- Pour the melted chocolate over the caramel. Sprinkle 1 pinch Sea salt over the chocolate.
- Put into the freezer for about 20 minutes, or until the chocolate has set.
Recipe Tips
- Why not make billionaire shortbread? This involves adding something extra on top like some crushed pretzels. And add some edible gold spray to make them really fancy!
- We don't mind that these are messy. "Humble and rustic" as Jamie Oliver would say! However, if you want these to look neater when cutting them, then run a large knife under very hot water. The hot knife makes it easier to slice through the chocolate.
Nutritional Information
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The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Li says
Taste good ended up with more caramel than base somehow ..
Dannii Martin says
This does have a very thick caramel layer.
Tom says
Great recipe, thanks. I adjusted to a full scoop of vanilla whey protein (31g), eight dates, and a little more almond butter and chocolate - due to the size of the packaging - and it turned out amazing!
Dannii Martin says
I am so happy you enjoyed them, and thanks for sharing your adjustments.
Tom says
It was delicious, thanks so much for sharing the recipe :)
Christine says
I would give this minus stars if I could because of the waste of ingredients.
It really turns out gooey. Only the chocolate has any hope of setting if you follow the instructions. Too messy to serve up to visitors.
Dannii Martin says
As you can clearly see in the photos, the caramels filling is gooey. It doesn't set or go hard like a traditional caramel because it's a healthy version. But, again, you can see that in the photos. the base does set, and there is nothing in it that would make it gooey if you have followed the recipe exactly. As for a waste, even if you didn't follow the recipe correctly, everything is still edible and would not be wasted.
Bev says
Made these today for my husband, who loves a good Millionaire Shortbread. I omitted the protein powder and upped the oat flour instead.
A bit messy to eat, but delish! Seal of approval from hubby!
Dannii Martin says
Usually it's the messiest food that tastes the best haha. I am glad you enjoyed them and that it worked without the protein powder too.