A Luxurious Vegan & Gluten-Free Layered Dessert
This Raspberry Caramel Millionaires Shortbread is an indulgent, multi-layered treat featuring a buttery almond shortbread base, tart raspberry jelly, silky salted caramel, and a rich chocolate topping. Perfect for special occasions or as a decadent everyday dessert, this recipe is vegan, gluten-free, and utterly irresistible!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✅ Vegan & Gluten-Free – Allergy-friendly without sacrificing flavor.
🍫 Four Luxurious Layers – Shortbread + raspberry + caramel + chocolate.
🍓 Fresh Raspberry Flavor – Bright and tangy against sweet caramel.
⏳ Make-Ahead Friendly – Stores well in the fridge or freezer.
Ingredients & Substitutions
For the Shortbread Base:
- 1 cup (125g) gluten-free flour – Or regular all-purpose flour.
- 1 cup (112g) ground almonds – Adds richness (sub with oat flour if needed).
- 4 tbsp (60g) vegan butter – Coconut oil works too.
- 2 tbsp (30ml) maple syrup – For natural sweetness.
- ¼ tsp sea salt – Enhances flavor.
For the Raspberry Jelly:
- 4 cups (480g) fresh raspberries – Frozen work too (thaw first).
- ¼ cup (60ml) maple syrup – Adjust to taste.
- 1 tbsp (15ml) lemon juice – Balances sweetness.
- 2½ tsp (12.5g) agar-agar powder – Vegan gelatin substitute.
For the Salted Caramel:
- 1 cup (256g) cashew butter – Almond or sunflower seed butter work.
- ¾ cup (177ml) maple syrup – Or date syrup.
- 4 tbsp (60g) coconut oil – Must be solid at room temp.
- 2 tbsp (30g) coconut milk/cream – Adds creaminess.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract – For depth.
- 1 tsp sea salt – Balances sweetness.
For the Chocolate Topping:
- 7 oz (200g) vegan chocolate – Dark or semi-sweet.
- ¼ cup (30g) freeze-dried raspberries (optional) – For crunch & color.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Make the Shortbread Base
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8″ square pan with parchment.
- Blend flour, almonds, vegan butter, maple syrup, and salt into a dough.
- Press into the pan, prick with a fork, and bake 15-18 mins until golden. Cool completely.
2️⃣ Prepare the Raspberry Jelly
- Simmer raspberries until jammy, then blend and strain.
- Return to pan, add maple syrup, lemon juice, and agar-agar. Simmer 3 mins.
- Pour over cooled shortbread and freeze 30 mins to set.
3️⃣ Make the Salted Caramel
- Blend cashew butter, maple syrup, coconut oil, coconut milk, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
- Spread over set jelly layer and freeze 4+ hours (or overnight).
4️⃣ Add Chocolate Topping
- Melt vegan chocolate, spread over caramel, and sprinkle with freeze-dried raspberries.
- Chill 15 mins to set.
5️⃣ Slice & Serve
- Use a hot knife for clean cuts.
- Store in the fridge (3-5 days) or freeze (up to 1 month).
Pro Tips for Perfect Shortbread
🔪 Hot Knife Trick – Dip in boiling water for smooth slices.
🍯 Thick Caramel – Don’t skip the freezing step!
🌀 Even Layers – Spread each layer carefully for uniformity.
Serving Suggestions
☕ With Coffee or Tea – Perfect pairing.
🍨 À La Mode – Serve with vegan vanilla ice cream.
🎉 Gift Idea – Package in pretty boxes for friends.
Storage Tips
❄ Fridge – Keeps 3-5 days in an airtight container.
⛄ Freezer – Freeze before slicing, then thaw as needed.
Delicious Variations
🫐 Mixed Berry – Use blueberries + strawberries in the jelly.
🍫 Peanut Butter Caramel – Swap cashew butter for peanut butter.
🌰 Nut-Free – Use sunflower seed butter instead of cashew butter.
Final Thoughts
This Raspberry Caramel Millionaires Shortbread is decadent, visually stunning, and packed with flavor—the ultimate vegan dessert for any occasion!
Make it today and indulge in every layer! 😋🍫