This Homemade Twix Cookie Bars recipe brings your favorite candy bar home to your kitchen. A buttery shortbread cookie base with caramel and chocolate, better than the original!
Copycat recipes are so fun to make. From homemade Reese’s peanut butter cups, to easy kit kat candy bars, we love it all!
Why Make Homemade Twix Bars
One of my favorite store bought treat in the checkout lane is a Twix candy bar.
It’ll only take one bite of these homemade Twix bars to convert even the most devout Twix lovers. They start with a shortbread cookie crust!
- Better than store-bought taste.
- Using caramel chips provides perfect taste and texture without the fuss of making homemade caramel.
- With a yield of 32 bars, this is the perfect recipe for any gathering, event, or potluck.
- From start to finish, this recipe takes less than an hour.
Love these bars? Try my easy twix cookies next! For an old fashioned candy treat, add my chunky candy recipe to your list next.
Ingredient Notes
- Butter – Use unsalted and softened butter to stay true to the original Twix taste.
- Powdered Sugar – Don’t substitute other types of sugar here. The superfine powdered sugar will give you the best shortbread texture.
- Vanilla Extract – It’s worth it to pick up pure vanilla extract, the flavor is far better than the artificial stuff. Or try our homemade vanilla extract.
- Kraft Caramel Bits – Find these caramel chips in the baking aisle of your grocery store. They’re a key ingredient that makes this recipe so easy. Of course our homemade caramels would also be perfect!
- Heavy Whipping Cream – The fat content in this ingredient makes the caramel thick, sticky, and rich. Don’t swap it for lesser-fat dairy, or the texture of the caramel will be affected.
- Milk Chocolate Morsels – You can use regular chocolate chips or chop up a large baking bar.
How to Make Twix Candy Bars
- Beat Butter & Sugar –Beat the butter and powdered sugar until light, fluffy, and almost doubled in size.
- Form Cookie Dough – Don’t overmix the dough. Otherwise, you won’t achieve the short and tender cookie texture we’re going for.
- Bake & Cool Shortbread – Spread the dough into an ungreased, parchment-lined 9” square baking dish.
- Create Caramel Layer – While the shortbread base is cooling, combine caramels and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave this mixture in increments, stirring between each cook time, until the caramel is melted and smooth. Then, while the shortbread is still warm, spread the caramel layer over the top.
- Melt & Spread Chocolate Layer – Spread over the top of the caramel layer.
- Set, Cut, & Enjoy – Allow the bars to set for at least 30 minutes before cutting them into bars. This recipe makes 32 Twix-sized cookie bars, so divide the shortbread accordingly.
More Copycat Recipes
- I know it’s a savory dish, but this Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup is spot on! My family LOVES this recipe!
- Ever pick up one of those Salted Nut Rolls from the grocery store? So delicious, I had to make my own recipe!
- Peppermint filling wrapped in sweet chocolate; this Peppermint Patty recipe is easier than you ever realized. Skip the store bought candies and make your own! Shape them like footballs for a game day treat!
- Love lunch treats? Whip up a batch of our copycat Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies.
- Hostess has nothing on our hostess cupcake recipe! And our Twinkie cake is so good.
Favorite Brownies and Bars
See all Brownies and Bars recipes
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Homemade Twix Bars
Homemade Twix Bars bring the candy bar home to your kitchen. A buttery shortbread cookie base with caramel and chocolate, better than the original!
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 package Kraft caramel bits 11 ounce
- 1 Tablespoon heavy whipping cream
- 1 package milk chocolate morsels 12 ounce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and powdered sugar for several minutes until well blended. Add in flour, salt, and vanilla. Beat for 2-3 minutes until dough starts to form a ball.
- Press dough into a 9-inch-square baking dish lined with parchment paper. Bake for 21-25 minutes, until edges become lightly browned. Remove and cool completely.
- While shortbread base is cooling, add caramel bits and whipping cream to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute, stir and heat again for an additional 15-30 seconds. Stir until smooth. Pour over cooled (or mostly cooled) shortbread. Spread evenly.
- Melt chocolate in a microwave safe bowl for one minute. Stir and heat an additional 30 seconds. Frost the top of the caramel and allow to set (about 30 minutes). Cut into bars and enjoy. It may be easier to refrigerate the bars and cut while slightly firm.
Notes
- If you’re a fan of salted caramel, try topping these bars with a sprinkling of flaky sea salt.
- Easily customize this recipe for a unique take on the classic Twix. You can add nuts to the caramel or even swirl the chocolate with peanut butter.
- To help your caramel stick better, underbake the shortbread by a few minutes. Then, spread the caramel layer onto the base while the cookie is still warm (not hot) and the layers should adhere together.
- Store these bars in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll keep for 3-5 days.
- Swap out the all-purpose flour for King Arthur Measure for Measure gluten free flour to make a gluten free treat.
- See blog post for more recipe tips and tricks.
Nutrition
Calories: 98kcal, Carbohydrates: 9g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 16mg, Sodium: 16mg, Sugar: 3g
Did you make this recipe?Mention @shugarysweets or tag #shugarysweets!
Satisfy your sweet tooth with this Homemade Twix Bar Recipe. Buttery shortbread and sticky caramel topped with a layer of decadent chocolate make this copycat recipe one you won’t want to miss.
I had trouble with the shortbread adhering to the caramel. It completely separated. I tried the advise given above. They were delicious though.
Carmel later did not adhere to the shortbread layer when cut. What a waste of time and effort.