This is a Caramel Slice that works as promised – the creamy caramel sets perfectly and will never be runny, the chocolate won’t crack when cutting it and the caramel won’t ooze out. It’s an easy recipe with no thermometer required.
Essentially, this recipe fixes all the grievances I had with other recipes I’ve tried over my lifetime!
Caramel Slice
It’s practically un-Australian for a bakery to NOT sell Caramel Slice. With a simple coconut biscuit base, soft caramel filling and a chocolate topping, it’s one of those treats that’s craved by kids and grown ups.
I’ve only ever known it as a Caramel Slice, but I was quite interested to learn that overseas, it’s also known as Millionaire’s Shortbread (appropriate!), Caramel Shortbread, Chocolate Caramel Bars.
Doesn’t really matter what you call these. Just the sight of them surely brings a smile to anyone’s face, and that, my friends, is a universal language. 🙂 (“That” being a Food Smile)
Reader Rachel says “Wow! This was really fantastic. I’ve been hunting for a caramel slice that cuts well, doesn’t ooze or crack and had enough filling. This is perfect! So tasty, I love how crunchy the base gets and my mum adores it! I only made it last night, but I don’t think it will last long!”
A Caramel Slice recipe that actually works
I’ve tried countless recipes over the years including from some well known cooks, and classic “best ever” recipes but always experienced problems such as:
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Runny caramel
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Chocolate topping cracked when it was cut
I think some recipes make Caramel Slice overly complicated, trying to make the caramel using a traditional candy making method which calls for a thermometer and exact caramel temperatures.
Scratch that. Make Caramel Slice the easy way using condensed milk. Tastes just like you get from the bakeries!
What goes in Caramel Slice
Here’s what you need to make Caramel Slice:
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Base – a coconut biscuit base, not too sweet (because the caramel filling is plenty sweet!)
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Caramel filling – the secret ingredient here is condensed milk. So we make a caramel using sugar and butter, then we add condensed milk which thickens it and makes the caramel set;
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Chocolate topping – the secret to making sure the chocolate doesn’t crack when cut is a touch of oil!
How to make Caramel Slice
There are 3 components to Caramel Slice:
1. Biscuit base – just mix the ingredients together in a bowl, press into a pan and bake:
2. Caramel Filling – bring the butter and brown sugar to a simmer (this is caramel!) then stir in condensed milk. Whisk over low heat for a few minutes to give it some colour, then pour onto the base and bake. Baking is what makes the caramel set once cool.
3. Chocolate Topping – simply melt the topping then spread on the caramel base. To achieve a perfectly smooth surface, just shake the pan gently.
And proof – the chocolate DOES NOT CRACK when you cut into it!!!
These were fridge cold too – you can see the surface is sweating on this hot summer day I made them!
And a side view so you can see how it slices neatly, showing each individual layer:
Normally I try to show a bit of self respect with up close “bite shots” and use a fork…. But I’m not going to lie to you – in this case I just took a big fat bite out of this Caramel Slice!!!
Caramel Slice – Q&A
Here’s a little Q&A section for common questions and problems people face making Caramel Slice!
Why is my caramel slice runny?
Common problems that causes runny caramel include: using low fat condensed milk (ie. 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 keep chocolate from cracking when cutting?
Add 1 tablespoon of oil to the melted chocolate – this makes the chocolate topping slightly softer so it doesn’t crack!
How long does caramel slice last?
5 days in an airtight container – in the fridge if it’s warm weather, otherwise in the pantry is fine.
That’s the proper answer.
But does Caramel Slice ever last FIVE WHOLE DAYS in anyone’s house??? 😳😳😳 – Nagi x
Watch how to make it
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Caramel Slice
Ingredients
Base
- 1 cup flour, plain/all purpose
- 1/2 cup brown sugar , loosely packed
- 1/2 cup desiccated coconut (US: sweetened finely shredded coconut, Note 1)
- 125g / 4.5oz unsalted butter , melted
Caramel filling
- 125g / 4.5oz unsalted butter , roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup (80g) brown sugar , loosely packed
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (or essence)
- 395g / 14oz sweetened condensed milk (1 can, 300ml) (Note 1b)
Chocolate Topping
- 200g / 7oz dark or milk melting chocolate (US: semi-sweet chocolate chips)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
Base
- Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F (fan 160°C)
- Grease and line a 28x 18cm (lamington pan) / 7" x 11" rectangle pan with baking/parchment paper (Note 2). Have overhang for ease of removal.
- Mix together Base ingredients and press into a pan (I use an egg flip)
- Bake for 15 minutes until the surface is golden. Cool in fridge if you have time (Note 3).
Caramel
- Lower oven to oven to 160°C/320°F (fan 140°C)
- Place butter, sugar and vanilla in a saucepan over medium low heat. When the butter is melted, whisk to combine with sugar, then just leave it until it comes to a simmer.
- When bubbles appear, add condensed milk. Whisk constantly for 5 minutes (Note 4), until you start getting some big slow bubbles on the base.
- Once bubbles start appearing, whisk for 1 minute, then pour onto Base. Tilt pan to spread evenly.
- Bake for 12 minutes. Don't worry if you get splotchy brown bits (this happens with ovens that don't distribute heat evenly).
- Cool on counter for 20 minutes then refrigerate 30 minutes - bottom of pan should be warm but surface cool (not cold) to touch. (Note 5)
Chocolate
- Place chocolate and oil in a microwave proof bowl. Microwave in 30 second bursts, stirring in between, until chocolate is fully melted (takes me 4 x 30 sec).
- Pour over caramel, spread with spatula. Then gently shake pan to make the surface completely flat.
- Refrigerate 1 hour or until set. Remove from fridge and leave out for 5 minutes to take chill out of chocolate slightly. Then cut into bars or squares to serve!
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Originally published 2016, updated with brand new photos and brand new video in March 2020.
For Caramel Monsters
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Peanut Butter Caramel Tart – dangerously easy
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Sweetened Condensed Milk Caramel – just place a can of condensed milk in the slow cooker!
More slices and bars
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Brownies!! Also outrageous Nutella Stuffed Brownies!
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Strawberry Bars – made with tons of FRESH strawberries!
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Easiest Ever Raspberries Jam Bars
Life of Dozer
Dozer in his swanky bathrobe. On a scale of 1 to 10, how ridiculous do you think he looks in his bath robe??? 😉
(And on a scale of 1 to 10, how much do you want to see me in my matching robe?! 🤣 It was a GIFT!! I would never!!)
You are not alone in regards to the toilet paper, I just do not understand. Tins goods, water, juice, cereal…I would understand but reams of toilet paper??
I have never heard of this dessert before, will definitely try it.
Could one add strawberry slices to the top? Or does that in some way make it not authentic and frowned upon??!!
Hi Joan – strawberries would reduce the storage life of it – but by all means feel free to mix it up! N x
Is your nutrition information for the whole recipe or just once slice? Love you and your mom’s recipes. Keep up the great work!!!
Just one slice unfortunately! I WISH it was for the whole recipe 😂
Dozer 1 Nagi 10.! Love Love Dozer big Hug forumi! As for stuped, stuped people SHAME ON YOU. I am weak and sick and I couldnt GET packet Of Panadol, 1 L milk Or cup Of rice, YOU ARE DISGRACE TO HUMAN RACE. Ive find my self 1993 incountry having civil warnand I have never seen anythinglike in Australia . Those that Are old, weak, sick have The same basic needs as YOU stuped People. Nagi have YOU hear about Woman that bought 40 packets oats….. an idiot. Ok, your sweet is Yum, good enough for Queen! Ps. pst… DO NOT GIVE HER ANY its ALL for us.
Oh no Vera!!! Hoping you make a speedy recovery and are able to get some supplies!!! N x
Dear Nagi, I would pay to see you and DOZER in matching robes! I never got the pic of him diving on top of you in the pool.
No one needs to see that Deanna 😂
Hi Nagi,
This slice looks delicious and have intentions of making it when the supermarket has flour and sugar back on the shelves, stripped bare today by panic buyers, also none on the shelves rice,oil,rolled oats and pasta, probably other things as well but I didn’t look, at least I have plenty of loo paper, no problem with fresh foods though. Love Dozer in his robe.
Do these people not realise there’s caramel slice to be made?!?! N x
Hi Nagi,
Caramel slice will be made this weekend, my daughter picked me up some flour and sugar from IGA, appears shoppers there are not so panic stricken, will now share with my daughter and her family, 3 girls will certainly take care of this so there will be no leftovers for me to scoff.
Will try these….once I hunt down some TP! Dozer looks so gorgeous – and yes we want to see the matching set!
Side note – I do have 1 extra extra spare roll, but I’m not sure if I could use it. It has a certain PM’s face on it – from back in the 90’s when things like that were done. Feeling old 😉
😂 Love this!!
You are not alone in toilet paper crisis. Here in the USA people seem to think toilet paper is going to protect them also. I finally found some toilet paper at Costco this morning.
It’s crazy DiAnne!!
This. Looks. AMAZING!
Have never made caramel slice but in honour of your wonderful telling of the ridiculous truth I promise to do so !! I am about to submit a monthly on line grocery order and am limited to four bog rolls as our media now calls them !! That will be interesting 🙂 !!! As a Swedish friend of yours and mine stated in a letter this morning: ‘Fear is a powerful thing’ ! True ! How ‘ridiculous does Dozer look? I have always loved him in this, so it is 1 (one) from me. You in the matching robe: you have to be kiddin’ – 10 (ten) naturally , asap please !!!
I hope they can actually deliver them Eha!!
This looks like millionaire’s shortbread to me. Delicious and devastating to the waist line!
Yep – I talk about that in the blog post 🙂
I just had to comment about how cute Dozer is in the robe! Omg, one of Dozer’s best pictures!
Will definitely make this recipe, as my husband is a big caramel fan
Totally ready for a photo shoot isn’t he?! 😂
I was able to make them without coconut as I’m not a fan. I added an extra 1\4 cup flour and a 1\4 cup almond meal. Turned out great!
When making the caramel, it it normal for the butter to seperate around 5 mins ? If not can you suggest why this occurred and will it effect the finished product…. making this recipe now 🙂
Hi Nagi
Not a fan of coconut can I omit it and will it make a difference on the base ?
Thanks !
Hi Jo, I talk about this in the recipe notes (7) – N x
I’ve made this several times now over the holidays for gifts and potlucks, and everyone loves it. It’s so rich, it can be cut into bite size pieces, which makes it go a long way. I do watch your videos for color and texture, etc. as stoves and ovens are so different. I thought I had really messed up one batch of the caramel — I got impatient and used too high a heat and cooked it too long. It didn’t look right, but I spread it on anyway. After baking it was pretty oily! I mopped off some of the excess butter, chilled it, and covered it in the chocolate, and it was fine!! I have another batch in progress right now. And I’m being more careful about the heat on the caramel.
I’m not a fan but my friend is so I made this for her and omg. So good. Caramel was super easy and set perfectly. Ratio of layers was perfect.
I used the lemon bar shortbread option with rice flour and it is (was) amazing.
Currently in a sugar crash and I regret nothing
Can filling for this recipe be doubled?
Love your recipes. My three go to desserts are all from your posts. They are easy to follow and quite forgiving for those who just learning. My husband loves this caramel slice! Thank you Nagi! ❤️
Hi Gado, you can double the caramel but the cook times would be different. I haven’t tested it to be able to give you clear instructions sorry! – N x
Hi Josephine, sorry you felt like it lacked detail – I usually try to include as much information as possible and also include a video so you can physically see how the recipe is made – N
Loved this recipe!
Just wondering if it can be put in the freezer?
Hi Natalie, I haven’t tried to be honest – it never lasts that long around here 😂
turned out perfectly, loved this recipe and your notes!! thanks so much xx
You’re so welcome Zoe!