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Ultimate Homemade Twix Bars

A stack of homemade twix bars showing the shortbread base, gooey caramel layer, and chocolate coating.
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Make decadent, layered candy bar treats at home featuring a buttery shortbread base, gooey caramel filling, and a rich chocolate coating.

Ingredients

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  • For the Shortbread Base:
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • For the Caramel Filling:
  • 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • For the Chocolate Coating:
  • 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil or shortening

Instructions

  1. Prepare the shortbread: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Gradually mix in the flour and salt until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.
  4. Press the shortbread dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
  5. Bake the shortbread for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly while you prepare the caramel.
  6. Make the gooey caramel filling: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the sweetened condensed milk, brown sugar, and butter. Stir constantly until the butter melts and the mixture is smooth.
  7. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring continuously. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring often, until the caramel thickens slightly. It should coat the back of a spoon.
  8. Remove the caramel from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salt.
  9. Pour the warm caramel evenly over the partially baked shortbread crust. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
  10. Cool completely: Let the bars cool completely at room temperature, then chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or until the caramel is firm.
  11. Prepare the chocolate coating: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and coconut oil. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each, until the chocolate is smooth and completely melted.
  12. Cut the chilled caramel shortbread into bars of your desired size.
  13. Dip each bar into the melted chocolate, ensuring it is fully coated. Place the coated bars on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  14. Allow the chocolate to set completely at room temperature, or speed up the process by chilling them for 15 minutes. Slice and serve your homemade candy bar style treats.

Notes

  • For a cleaner cut, chill the bars thoroughly before slicing them into uniform pieces.
  • If you prefer a softer caramel, reduce the cooking time for the filling by about 2 minutes.
  • You can use milk chocolate or dark chocolate for the coating based on your preference.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://juliameal.com/homemade-twix-bars-caramel-shortbread/