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If you’ve ever dreamed of capturing that perfect crunch, gooey caramel, and rich chocolate combination found in your favorite candy bar, you’re going to love making this Homemade Twix Bar Recipe. It’s a delightful treat that turns simple pantry ingredients into scrumptious cookie bars that taste just like those iconic store-bought Twix bars, but fresher, more indulgent, and with that homemade charm you can be proud of. Once you try this, it’s hard to go back to anything else!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients is half the fun, and this Handmade Twix Bar Recipe keeps it wonderfully simple yet thoughtfully balanced. Each component plays a role: butter and powdered sugar create that tender cookie base, caramel chips bring the luscious gooey middle, and chocolate chips with coconut oil provide a silky, glossy finish that melts in your mouth.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 pound): Using unsalted butter lets you control the saltiness and adds a rich, creamy texture to the base cookie layer.
- Powdered sugar (1/2 cup): This fine sugar blends seamlessly for a smooth, tender cookie rather than a grainy crunch.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): A tiny pinch enhances all the flavors without overpowering the sweetness.
- All-purpose flour (2 cups): The foundation for tender yet sturdy cookies that hold up nicely under the caramel and chocolate toppings.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Adds a warm, fragrant depth to the cookie dough.
- Caramel baking chips (1 1/2 cups): These melt perfectly into a creamy caramel layer without extra fuss or mess.
- Chocolate chips (2 cups): Semi-sweet or milk chocolate works wonderfully for the classic coating.
- Coconut oil (1/4 cup): Helps achieve that glossy shine and smooth texture in the melted chocolate coating.
How to Make Homemade Twix Bar Recipe
Step 1: Preparing the Cookie Dough
Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit so it’s ready when your dough is shaped. Cream the room temperature unsalted butter with powdered sugar for about 2 minutes until the mixture becomes light and creamy — this is essential for a tender, melt-in-your-mouth base. Gently incorporate the flour and salt to create a soft dough, finally folding in the vanilla extract just until combined. Avoid over-mixing; you want a tender crumb, not a tough cookie.
Step 2: Shaping and Pricking the Cookies
Turn your dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll it into a rectangle that can later be sliced into bars. Cut the rectangle into four even vertical strips and then slice across horizontally into half-inch strips to form rectangular cookie bases that imitate the size of classic Twix bars. Use a fork to prick each cookie three or four times — this bit of aeration ensures even baking without unwanted puffing or cracks.
Step 3: Refrigerating and Baking
Place your cut cookies onto an ungreased cookie sheet, spacing them just a little bit apart. Refrigerate the cookie sheet for about 15 minutes so the dough firms up, preventing spreading during baking and preserving those sharp edges you want in your bars. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges just start to turn golden. Let them cool slightly but keep them on the sheet to make the next steps easier.
Step 4: Adding the Caramel Layer
Melt the caramel baking chips in short bursts in your microwave, stirring each time, until smooth and spreadable—about 45 seconds total. Spread a thin, even layer over each warm cookie base. This luscious caramel middle is what makes this Homemade Twix Bar Recipe absolutely irresistible, bridging the tender cookie and chocolate coating perfectly.
Step 5: Coating With Chocolate
Using a double boiler or a heatproof bowl over simmering water, melt the chocolate chips together with the coconut oil. Stir continuously until the mixture is silky and smooth — the coconut oil adds that glossy sheen and helps the chocolate set beautifully. Dip each caramel-topped cookie into the melted chocolate, turning with two forks to coat fully. Set the chocolate-coated bars on wax paper to cool completely and let that chocolate shell harden into a perfect snap.
How to Serve Homemade Twix Bar Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate the look and flavor, sprinkle flaky sea salt on the chocolate before it sets to enhance the caramel’s sweetness with a savory pop. For a festive touch, you could drizzle white chocolate over the hardened bars or top them with tiny chopped nuts for added crunch.
Side Dishes
These bars pair marvelously with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a cup of rich espresso. They also complement a simple bowl of fresh berries, balancing out the richness with a bit of natural tartness.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your Homemade Twix Bar Recipe on a rustic wooden board alongside small jars of caramel and melted chocolate for dipping fun. Wrapping individual bars in parchment paper tied with twine makes for charming homemade gifts or party favors that everyone will rave about.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain their crisp cookie texture and glossy chocolate coating. If your kitchen is warm, keeping them in the fridge is a safe bet, though that might slightly firm up the caramel layer.
Freezing
You can freeze these bars to enjoy later! Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, then stack with wax paper between layers in a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep beautifully for up to 2 months — just thaw at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
While these bars are perfect as is, a brief 10-second zap in the microwave softens the caramel and intensifies the flavors for a warm treat. Just be careful not to overheat or the chocolate may lose its shine and snap.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted for this recipe?
Yes, you can use salted butter, but be sure to reduce or omit the added salt in the dough to avoid an overly salty taste. The balance of sweet and salty is key in this recipe.
Is it necessary to use coconut oil in the chocolate coating?
Coconut oil helps the chocolate melt smoothly and harden with a shiny finish. You can omit it, but your chocolate coating might be thicker and less glossy.
How thick should I roll the cookie dough?
The dough should be rolled into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. This thickness gives you a cookie that’s sturdy enough to hold the caramel and chocolate layers but still tender when baked.
Can I substitute caramel chips with caramel sauce?
While caramel chips offer convenience and structure, you can substitute with caramel sauce if you spread a thinner layer and refrigerate to set. Just note it might be a bit messier.
How long does it take for the chocolate to set completely?
Chocolate typically takes about 30 minutes to an hour to fully set at room temperature. Placing the bars in the fridge can speed this process to 15-20 minutes.
Final Thoughts
Making your own candy bars at home is such a joyful experience, and this Homemade Twix Bar Recipe brings together buttery cookies, rich caramel, and silky chocolate in a way that feels both nostalgic and gourmet. It’s perfect for sharing, gifting, or just treating yourself to a homemade delight that beats any store-bought version. Trust me, once you make these, they’ll become one of your favorite go-to recipes — so grab those ingredients and start whipping up happiness today!
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Homemade Twix Bar Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
Description
Homemade Twix Bars combine a buttery shortbread cookie base with a luscious caramel layer and a rich chocolate coating, creating an irresistible homemade candy bar perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings.
Ingredients
Shortbread Cookie
- 1/2 pound unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Caramel Layer
- 1 1/2 cups caramel baking chips
Chocolate Coating
- 2 cups chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
Instructions
- Prepare the Cookie Dough: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Using a mixer, cream together room temperature unsalted butter and powdered sugar for about 2 minutes until the mixture is light and creamy. Gradually add in the all-purpose flour and salt, mixing gently until the flour is just incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract until blended.
- Shape the Cookies: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll it into a rectangular shape. Cut the dough into four even vertical columns and then slice horizontally into 1/2 inch strips to form rectangles. Use a fork to prick each cookie three to four times to ensure even baking.
- Chill and Bake: Arrange the cookies on an ungreased cookie sheet, spacing them slightly apart. Refrigerate the cookies on the baking sheet for about 15 minutes to prevent spreading during baking. Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes until set and lightly golden.
- Apply Caramel Layer: Melt the caramel baking chips in the microwave for about 45 seconds or until fully melted and smooth. Spread a thin, even layer of the melted caramel over each baked cookie quickly before it sets.
- Coat with Chocolate: Using a double boiler, gently melt together the chocolate chips and coconut oil, stirring continuously until smooth. Dip each caramel-covered cookie into the melted chocolate, turning with two forks to coat evenly. Place coated cookies on wax paper to set.
- Set and Store: Allow the chocolate coating to fully harden at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Once set, store the Twix bars in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Refrigerating the cookie dough before baking helps prevent excessive spreading, maintaining the shape of the bars.
- Use a double boiler or a microwave with short bursts to melt chocolate smoothly without burning.
- For easier coating, work quickly with the caramel layer before it hardens.
- Store homemade Twix bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- You can substitute coconut oil with vegetable oil if preferred.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
