Jamielyn Nye
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A homemade Twix bar is one of my favorite treats on this planet. Gooey homemade caramel is perfectly sandwiched between the classic Twix candy bar ingredients of a shortbread cookie and milk chocolate—every bite is perfection.
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Table of Contents
- Easy Twix Cookie Bars
- Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Twix Ingredients
- How to Make Homemade Twix Bars
- 5 star review
- Expert Tips
- How to Store
- FAQs
- More Delicious Dessert Bars
- Homemade Twix Bars Printable Recipe
Easy Twix Cookie Bars
If you find yourself digging around in your child’s Halloween bucket looking for a Twix bar year after year, this recipe and twix cookies are both must-makes. I’ll be honest and say these don’t tasteexactly like the original—they’re softer, chewier and…just all around better. They remind me of my salted caramel butter bars, but with a chocolate twist, and a bit similar to this toffee candy!
Personally, given the choice, these homemade Twix bars knock the wrapped version out of the park, every time. Imagine biting into a thick butter shortbread crust, chewy caramel, and milk chocolate all at once. Yes, it’s basically heaven in your mouth!
This recipe is also on rotation as a go-to party dessert. If you make it, you are practically guaranteed to have a unique sweet treat that no one else has brought, unlike a classic cookie or brownie.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Easy to make: While there is some cooling time between each step, no special equipment is required to keep this recipe simple.
- Classic layers: With three scrumptious candy bar layers of a shortbread cookie base, a gooey homemade caramel and then topped with chocolate, this homemade Twix bars recipe is irresistible!
- Gifting idea: If you want to upgrade the bars for an event or gift, you can individually wrap each one in parchment paper with a twine bow.Nothing beats a homemade gift from the kitchen!
- Amazing taste: No one ever turns down a bite of these as they are so much better than store-bought!
Twix Ingredients
There are three main components to homemade Twix bars. Each one is pretty yummy on its own, but combined together they are incredible.
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Caramel layer: If you’ve never tried it before, you may be shocked at how different homemade caramel is from the version you can buy in the jar. It’s rich and buttery and just all around fantastic. As it is one of the most important Twix ingredients, I strongly recommend you make the caramel from scratch. It may sound challenging, but I promise it isn’t. It is well worth the effort.
- Shortbread layer: I think shortbread often gets the short end of the stick. While we all crave brownies or cookies, we rarely admit craving a good shortbread cookie. Admittedly, that’s probably because the store-bought versions leave much to be desired. The one that makes the base for the Twix cookie bars, however, is pretty amazing–are you sensing a theme here? :)
- Chocolate layer: Last, but certainly not least, a rich, melty chocolate makes up the top layer of the bar. It’s definitely one of the key ingredients!
How to Make Homemade Twix Bars
Creating the recipe is not challenging, but it does take a bit of time. Follow these easy steps for the most amazing bars!
- Make shortbread layer. The first thing is to create is your shortbread layer, which is done by mixing flour, sugar, and butter together and baking for 20 minutes.
- Make caramel sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then stir in brown sugar, corn syrup, and sweetened condensed milk. Bring it all to a boil and cook for five minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, allow to thicken, then pour over shortbread. Allow bars to cool so the caramel can firm.
- Pour chocolate layer over bars. Melt the chocolate. Pour it over the caramel layer and place it in the fridge to set.
- Slice and serve. Once your bars have hardened, slice, serve and enjoy!
5 star review
“These are dangerous to have in the house :) I make them for parties and gatherings so that I don’t have to worry about eating the whole batch myself! They’re so delicious and easier than I anticipated on my first try! An awesome recipe, thanks!“
– Meagen
Expert Tips
I’ve gotten quite a few questions about this copycat Twix bar recipe—these tips will help you perfect the recipe every single time.
- It’s important to continually stir the caramel sauce while you are making it. If it isn’t being mixed constantly, the mixture can harden and become tough or gritty.
- Once you have all the layers assembled, they will need to harden slightly before eating. I recommend placing the bars in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to set it quickly.
- Because the layers are hardened, it can help to use a warm knife when slicing the bars. To get your knife warm, run it under hot water for a minute or so, then wipe it dry immediately before slicing.
- What kind of chocolate to use. The instructions call for chocolate chips. While traditionally a Twix bar is coated in milk chocolate, this recipe also works with semi-sweet chocolate or dark chocolate chocolate.
How to Store
These homemade Twix bars will stay fresh for about 2-3 days at room temperature if kept in an airtight container—that is, if you don’t eat them all before then!
This recipe can be made ahead of time and frozen. To do so, assemble as normal, then add an airtight lid to your container and place in the freezer. When you are ready to eat them, let the bars defrost on your counter until they are at room temperature.
FAQs
Should I use tempered chocolate or melted chocolate?
While you could use tempered chocolate for this recipe just using melted chocolate with a bit of vegetable oil not only works best but saves yourself a step!
How to use Twix bars?
While eating these homemade candy bars as is is the popular choice, you can also stir them into homemade vanilla ice cream, top a milkshake or stir them brownie batter.
What layers are in a Twix?
There is a crunchy biscuit cookie layer, creamy homemade caramel layer and then a layer of chocolate.
What is the crunchy thing in a Twix bar?
The crunchy part in a homemade Twix bar recipe is a shortbread cookie! It’s the perfect balance and texture to the offset the sweet chocolate and gooey caramel.
Need more delicious dessert bar recipes? Try , Oreo brownies or sugar cookie bars!
More Delicious Dessert Bars
- Homemade Snickers Recipe
- S’mores Bars
- Brown Butter Blondies
- 7-Layer Bars (Magic Cookie Bars)
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Homemade Twix Bars
4.98 from 91 votes
↑ Click stars to rate now!
Author: Jamielyn Nye
A homemade Twix bar is one of my favorite treats on this planet. Gooey homemade caramel is perfectly sandwiched between the classic Twix ingredients of a shortbread cookie and milk chocolate—every bite is perfection.
Prep Time: 25 minutes mins
Cook Time: 30 minutes mins
Total Time: 55 minutes mins
Servings: 15
Video
Ingredients
Shortbread Layer
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ⅔ cup salted butter , softened slightly
Caramel Layer
- ½ cup salted butter
- ½ cup light brown sugar , packed
- 2 Tablespoons corn syrup
- ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
Chocolate Layer
- 2 cups chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil , or coconut oil
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line a 9×9 baking dishwith parchment paper or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
Shortbread Layer
In a medium bowl, stir the flour and sugar. Using a pastry cutter or 2 forks, cut the butter until it forms a crumb mixture.
Press crumb mixture down evenly into the pan. Bake 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Be careful not to overbake. Let cool completely.
Caramel Layer
In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar, corn syrup, and condensed milk. Bring to a boil and cook 4 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir an additional 2 minutes, or until it starts to thicken. Pour over cooled shortbread layer. Let cool until firm.
Chocolate Layer
In a microwave-safe bowl, mix the chocolate and oil. Microwave on high 1 minute. Stir and microwave in 15 second intervals, until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Pour over the caramel layer and let set. Place in the fridge 10 minutes to help set faster.
Once the chocolate has hardened, slice into squares with a warm knife. Enjoy!
Notes
Make-ahead: This recipe can be made ahead of time and frozen. To do so, assemble as normal, then add an airtight lid to your container and place in the freezer. When you are ready to eat them, let the bars defrost on your counter until they are at room temperature.
Baking Tips:
- It’s important to continually stir the caramel sauce while you are making it. If it isn’t being mixed constantly, the mixture can harden and become tough or gritty.
- Once you have all the layers assembled, they will need to harden slightly before eating. I recommend placing the bars in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to set it quickly.
- Because the layers are hardened, it can help to use a warm knife when slicing the bars. To get your knife warm, run it under hot water for a minute or so, then wipe it dry immediately before slicing.
- You can use whichever chocolate you prefer. The instructions call for milk chocolate, but this recipe also works with semi-sweet or dark chocolate.
Storage: These bars will stay fresh if stored in an airtight container at room temperature 2 to 3 days.
Nutrition
Calories: 369kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 159mg | Potassium: 61mg | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 520IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 69mg | Iron: 0.8mg
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: American, Bars, Candy + Fudge, Chocolate, Desserts, Freezer-Friendly, Nut-Free, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is also the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook. Here you will find easy family-friendly recipes for every occasion.
More about Jamielyn Nye
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4.98 from 91 votes (70 ratings without comment)
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91 comments
- Kayla
Amazingly delicious! Thank you so much!
- Reply
- Dan Jones
In the first step you don’t specify whether or not to add the butter crumbs to the flour sugar. Can you confirm?
- Reply
- I Heart Naptime Community
Hi Dan! In a medium bowl, stir the flour and sugar. Add the butter to the flour and sugar mixture. Using a pastry cutter or 2 forks, cut the butter until it forms a crumb mixture.
- Reply
- Lori
made these bars and they are delicious!
- Reply
- I Heart Naptime Community
I’m so happy you loved them Lori! The Twix Bars are a favorite at my house :)
- Reply
- Jeanne
They were delicious!!! Shortbread was perfect texture and not too hard. I melted my chocolate in the stove over low heat and that worked out perfect. I made 1 batch and after tasting quickly made another 😜
- Reply
- Diane
Made own caramel recipe. Poured caramel over shortbread then just sprinkled chocolate chips over caramel waiting until they were melty and shiny. About 10 minutes. Then I lightly spread them.
- Reply
- Karen
Any tips for converting this for a 9×13 pan?
- Reply
- I Heart Naptime
You can double or even triple the recipe to fit the bigger pan. You can make the crust as thick or then as you like in the larger pan too.
- Reply
- Natasha
These homemade Twix bar is so Gooey, and chewy, and has an amazing taste! There are no leftovers, they were a huge hit!
- Reply
- Kristyn
These are the most heavenly bars!! I mean, who doesn’t love Twix?! Any time I have taken them to a gathering, they are gone so fast!! They are always a hit!
- Reply
- Maryam
Twix are my favorite chocolate bar so I’m thrilled to have found a homemade recipe that makes it manageable to make at home. Thanks for the recipe!
- Reply
- Rae
Could these be frozen?
- Reply
- Jamielyn Nye
Yes you can freeze them, just bring them to room temperature before serving
- Reply
- Sandy
Twix is the favorite cookie of my 7 year old granddaughter. We made some today, but used a shortcut. We like Lorna Doone shortbread cookies, so used those. The caramel is perfection. Chocolate seized a little but we made it spreadable. The opinion of hubby and granddaughters is these cookies are better than Twix. With more time, we will make your shortbread. I don’t know how to show a picture.
- Reply
- Jamielyn Nye
Sounds delicious! Glad you enjoyed the homemade twix! Thanks for your review Sandy
- Reply
- Gretchen Smith
Hi Sandy! Love this shortcut!!! How many cookies did you use? Thanks friend, hope to here from you soon!!!
- Reply
- Hope
I made these exactly as what the recipe calls for. They were GREAT and LOVED by everyone…me included
- Reply
- Sunnie @ I Heart Naptime
It is hard not to love these, right!? Thanks for sharing, Hope.
- Reply
- Kaly
Hello! Often recipes give nutritional info but I don’t see anywhere how many servings the nutrition info would be accounting for? Thanks!
- Reply
- Taylor @ I Heart Naptime
Hi Kaly, there are 15 servings in this recipe :) You can find the servings at the top of the recipe card on the left right below the prep and cook time.
- Reply
- Kaly
I figured it was there and I missed it! Thanks! 😆
- Wendy slack
This is the best recipe I’ve found for these. I used a tsp. Of peanut butter in place of the oil for added flavor to my chocolate chips. For looks I chopped peanuts up quite fine & sprinkled on top.
- Reply
- Taylor @ I Heart Naptime
Sounds delicious! So happy to hear you enjoyed them, Wendy :)
- Reply
- Kat
How about using Carob chips for the chocolate (which I can’t have)? Could I just melt them or would I have to add the coconut oil? Thanks.
- Reply
- I Heart Naptime
I haven’t tried, so I’m not sure! I would think you would still add a little coconut oil for a smoother texture. Let me know how it goes if you give it a shot!
- Reply
- Lori Diggs
If I wanted to make a salted caramel instead, how much salt to you recommend adding to the caramel
- Reply
- I Heart Naptime
I would use 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt :)
- Reply
- Andrea Sotter
Use salted or sweet butter? Thank you!
- Reply
- Jamielyn Nye
Hi Andrea, you can use salted or unsalted depending on if you prefer a salted caramel :)
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