How many calories are in a digestive caramel millionaire slice?

November 10, 2025 •

3 min read

A single McVitie's Digestive Caramel Millionaire Slice contains approximately 120 kilocalories (kcal), but this number can vary significantly depending on the brand and whether it's homemade. This guide will explore the caloric content and other key nutritional facts about this popular dessert.

Quick Summary

An average digestive caramel millionaire slice from a store like McVitie's contains around 120 calories, while homemade versions and other brands can range from 150 to over 400 calories per slice, influenced by size and ingredients.

Key Points

McVitie's Slice: A standard McVitie's Digestive Caramel Millionaire Slice contains approximately 120 kcal, based on a 24.7g serving size.
Homemade Variation: The calorie count for homemade versions is highly variable, ranging from under 300 to over 400 kcal per serving, depending on the recipe and portion size.
Store-bought Differences: Other store-bought brands, like Waitrose, offer larger slices with higher calorie counts (e.g., 250 kcal for a 50g slice).
Calorie Contributors: The caramel and chocolate layers are the primary sources of calories due to high sugar and fat content.
Lighter Options: To reduce calories, use smaller portion sizes or modify ingredients in homemade recipes, such as using less sugar or lighter alternatives for butter.

Calorie Breakdown of a Commercial Slice

Most packaged versions of a digestive caramel millionaire slice, such as those from McVitie's, come in standardized sizes, making their nutritional information consistent and reliable. Based on product listings, a McVitie's Digestive Caramel Millionaire Slice (approx. 24.7g) typically contains:

Energy: 120 kcal (502 kJ).
Fat: 6.1g, with 3.3g being saturates.
Carbohydrates: 14.9g, of which 9.4g are sugars.
Protein: 1.1g.

This specific slice is a multi-layered confectionery with a biscuit base, a caramel layer, and a milk chocolate topping. The calories come primarily from the high sugar and fat content found in the caramel and chocolate layers, as well as the butter and flour in the biscuit base.

The Layers and Their Calorie Contribution

Each component of the dessert adds to its overall calorie count:

Biscuit Base: The base, made with crushed digestive biscuits and butter, is a source of carbohydrates and fat. Some recipes might use more or less butter, which can alter the calorie count. The digestive biscuits themselves contribute a certain amount of sugar and carbs.
Caramel Layer: A rich and sweet caramel layer, typically made from condensed milk, butter, and sugar, is the most calorie-dense part of the slice. The condensed milk is particularly high in both sugar and fat.
Chocolate Topping: The final layer is usually a coating of milk chocolate, which is high in fat and sugar, adding a significant amount of calories.

Calorie Variation in Homemade Millionaire's Shortbread

Homemade versions of this popular dessert can vary dramatically in their calorie content. The total calories depend on the recipe and the size of the final cut portions. For example, a recipe from BBC Good Food estimates a much higher calorie count per serving. A recipe making 16 squares from Tesco Real Food results in a serving of 385 calories. Another popular recipe found on Taste of Home estimates a serving to contain around 351 calories. This variation is due to several factors:

Recipe Ingredients: Homemade recipes often call for different types and quantities of ingredients. Using full-fat sweetened condensed milk, a higher butter content, or richer chocolate will increase the calorie density.
Portion Size: The number of slices the baker chooses to cut from the tray bake is a huge factor. A large, generous slice will contain far more calories than a smaller, thinner one.
Chocolate Type: Dark chocolate contains less sugar and more antioxidants than milk chocolate, but it can still have a high-fat content. The type and amount of chocolate used will influence the final calorie count.

5 Tips for a Lighter Caramel Slice

Reduce Sugar: Use a reduced-sugar condensed milk or alternative sweeteners for the caramel layer.
Use Lighter Alternatives: Swap some of the butter for a lighter alternative or a plant-based spread.
Choose Darker Chocolate: Use dark chocolate with a higher cocoa content, or a very thin layer of chocolate, for the topping.
Make Smaller Servings: Cut the tray bake into smaller portions to control your calorie intake more effectively.
Add Fibre: Consider mixing oats or nuts into the biscuit base to add fibre and make the slice more filling.

Comparison Table: Store-bought vs. Homemade


Feature	McVitie's Digestive Caramel Slice	Waitrose Millionaire's Shortbread	Homemade Millionaire Shortbread
Serving Size	~24.7g	~50g	Varies widely (e.g., per bar)
Approx. Calories	120 kcal	250 kcal	~351 kcal
Approx. Fat	6.1g	13.4g	21g
Approx. Sugar	9.4g	20.3g	32g
Notes	Smaller, individually wrapped portion.	Larger, higher calorie portion.	Calorie count highly variable by recipe.

Conclusion

When asking how many calories are in a digestive caramel millionaire slice, the answer depends entirely on the specific product or recipe. While a small, pre-packaged slice like McVitie's contains about 120 kcal, larger, homemade versions can exceed 300 kcal per serving. The main factors affecting the calorie count are the portion size, the type of ingredients, and the proportion of the higher-fat and higher-sugar caramel and chocolate layers. For those conscious of their calorie intake, controlling portion size or exploring lighter, homemade alternatives can offer a satisfying treat without the higher energy cost. As with all treats, moderation is key for a balanced diet, as sweets are a rich source of calories.

Is sugar bad for you? Check out this article by NHS to learn more: Sugar: the facts - NHS

Frequently Asked Questions

A standard, individually wrapped McVitie's Digestive Caramel Millionaire Slice (24.7g) contains 120 calories.

Not necessarily. Homemade millionaire's shortbread can have a higher calorie count per slice, as it depends on the recipe and portion size. Some recipes result in servings with over 350 calories.

The caramel and chocolate layers are the most calorie-dense parts of the slice, primarily due to their high sugar and fat content.

You can reduce calories by using smaller portions, opting for lower-sugar condensed milk, using a thinner chocolate topping, or substituting some ingredients with lower-fat alternatives.

Besides calories, a typical store-bought slice is high in fat (especially saturated fat) and sugar, with minimal fibre and protein.

Yes, using dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate can slightly change the calorie content, typically lowering sugar while maintaining a high fat count.

Portion size is a critical factor. The smaller the slice you cut, the fewer calories you will consume. A small, 25g commercial slice is far less calorific than a large, homemade 50g portion.