How Many Calories Are In One Caramel Square? The Surprising Answer

November 5, 2025 •

3 min read

One small Kraft caramel square contains approximately 32.5 calories, but a large, bakery-style caramel square can contain over 250 calories. This significant range explains why determining how many calories are in one caramel square is more complex than it seems.

Quick Summary

The calorie content of one caramel square depends heavily on its type and size. Small chewy candies contain around 30 calories, while layered dessert squares can have hundreds.

Key Points

Wide Calorie Range: A caramel square's calorie count can range from ~25 to over 360, depending on its size and type.
Chewy vs. Dessert: Small, chewy caramel candies have fewer calories than large, layered dessert bars (millionaire's shortbread).
Know Your Square: Always check the nutrition label for specific brands like Kraft, Lindt, or Member's Mark, as calorie counts differ significantly.
Chocolate Topping Adds Up: If the square includes a chocolate topping, like many millionaire's shortbread recipes, it will contribute substantially to the total calories.
Ingredients Matter: A simple caramel chew contains different ingredients (corn syrup, sugar, milk) than a complex bakery square (shortbread, caramel, chocolate), affecting the total calorie count.
Serving Size is Key: What manufacturers consider "one piece" or "one serving" can vary, so always read the label carefully.
Homemade Variation: The calorie count for homemade caramel squares is highly variable and depends on the specific recipe and portion size used.

The question of how many calories are in one caramel square is not as straightforward as it appears, primarily because the term "caramel square" can refer to several different confections. The nutritional information varies dramatically based on whether you are eating a small, individually-wrapped caramel chew, a chocolate-covered square, or a large, layered dessert bar known as millionaire's shortbread. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for accurate calorie tracking.

Small, Chewy Caramel Candies

Small, soft, and chewy caramel candies, like those from Kraft, are a popular choice. These are typically unwrapped from a small, clear or wax paper wrapper. Their size and simplicity mean they are the lowest in calories among the various types of caramel squares.

Nutritional Information for a Classic Caramel Chew

A single, small caramel chew averages between 25 and 40 calories, depending on the specific brand and size. For example, Kraft caramel squares are sold with nutritional information based on a serving of 4 pieces, which totals 130 calories, putting each piece at 32.5 calories.

Common Ingredients:

Corn Syrup
Sugar
Skim Milk
Palm Oil
Salt
Natural and Artificial Flavor

These simple ingredients, mostly sugars and fats, contribute to a relatively low-calorie but sweet treat.

Chocolate-Covered Caramel Squares

Some products combine the classic caramel chew with a layer of chocolate. This added chocolate coating, while delicious, substantially increases the overall calorie count per piece.

Comparing Brands: Lindt vs. Atkins

Brands like Lindt offer milk chocolate luscious caramel squares, which are a single piece serving and report 80 calories per square. Atkins offers a lower-carb, higher-fiber option with its Endulge Milk Chocolate Caramel Squares, which have 130 calories for 3 pieces, averaging around 43 calories per piece, but with significantly less sugar and more fiber. This highlights how the brand and dietary focus of a product can impact its nutritional profile.

Layered Dessert Bars (Millionaire's Shortbread)

In many cafes and bakeries, a caramel square is a rich, layered dessert, also known as millionaire's shortbread or caramel slice. This confection features a shortbread crust, a thick layer of soft caramel, and a solid chocolate topping, making it the most calorie-dense version of a caramel square.

Calorie Count for Decadent Bakery Squares

One large, bakery-style caramel shortbread square can have a calorie count far exceeding that of a simple candy. Nutritionix and other databases list large caramel shortbread squares with up to 363 calories per piece, due to the high sugar and fat content from the buttery base, condensed milk caramel, and chocolate. Homemade versions can also be very calorie-dense.

Typical Layers of a Millionaire's Shortbread:

Shortbread base: A buttery mixture of flour, butter, and sugar.
Caramel filling: A soft, decadent caramel made from condensed milk, butter, and brown sugar.
Chocolate topping: A layer of melted milk or dark chocolate.

Caramel Square Calorie Comparison Table

To illustrate the vast differences, here is a comparison of various types of caramel squares.


Type of Caramel Square	Brand/Type	Calories Per Piece	Notes	Source
Small, Chewy Candy	Kraft	~32.5 kcal	Based on 4 pieces = 130 kcal
Small, Chewy Candy	No Name	25 kcal	Very low-density option
Chocolate-Covered Candy	Lindt	80 kcal	Milk chocolate luscious square
Chocolate-Covered Candy	Member's Mark	140 kcal	Salted caramel square
Layered Dessert Bar	Bridge Bakery	262 kcal	50-gram square
Large Dessert Bar	Nutritionix Data	201 kcal	Based on a general 'caramel square'
Large Millionaire's Shortbread	Nutritionix Data	363 kcal	Based on a large caramel shortbread square

Conclusion: The Final Verdict

So, how many calories are in one caramel square? The answer depends entirely on the specific product. A simple, individually wrapped chew is the least caloric option, typically around 30-40 calories. A small, chocolate-covered square can be 80-140 calories. A large, layered dessert square (millionaire's shortbread) is the most calorie-intensive, often exceeding 250 calories per piece. To be accurate, always check the packaging or product description. For homemade versions, a recipe's ingredients and serving size are the best indicators.

For more information on the popular layered dessert, check out the Wikipedia page for caramel shortbread.

Frequently Asked Questions

A small, individually wrapped caramel candy, such as those from Kraft, contains approximately 25 to 40 calories per piece.

A large millionaire's shortbread or caramel slice, a layered dessert bar, can contain over 360 calories per square due to its rich ingredients like a shortbread base and chocolate topping.

Yes, adding a chocolate coating significantly increases the calorie and fat content. Brands like Lindt's milk chocolate luscious caramel squares contain around 80 calories per piece.

Yes, ingredients have a major impact. Squares with a high-fat shortbread base, condensed milk caramel, and chocolate topping are much more calorie-dense than simple caramel chews made mostly of sugar and syrup.

For marketing purposes, brands often use the terms interchangeably to refer to small, chewy, individually-wrapped candies. However, the specific ingredients and shape can vary slightly by brand.

The most accurate way is to check the nutritional information label on the product's packaging. Online nutrition databases can also provide brand-specific data.

Homemade versions vary widely depending on the recipe used. Some can be extremely calorie-dense due to the use of high amounts of butter, condensed milk, and sugar, while modified recipes might be lighter.

These are alternative names for what is also known as a millionaire's shortbread or layered caramel square, which has a shortbread base, caramel filling, and chocolate topping.