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.
Table of Contents
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 taste exactly 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
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!
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.
There is a crunchy biscuit cookie layer, creamy homemade caramel layer and then a layer of chocolate.
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 M&M cookie bars, Oreo brownies or sugar cookie bars!
More Delicious Dessert Bars
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Homemade Twix Bars
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 dish with 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!
Video
Notes
- 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.
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
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
Any tips for converting this for a 9×13 pan?
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.
These homemade Twix bar is so Gooey, and chewy, and has an amazing taste! There are no leftovers, they were a huge hit!
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!
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!
Could these be frozen?
Yes you can freeze them, just bring them to room temperature before serving
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.
Sounds delicious! Glad you enjoyed the homemade twix! Thanks for your review Sandy
Hi Sandy! Love this shortcut!!! How many cookies did you use? Thanks friend, hope to here from you soon!!!
I made these exactly as what the recipe calls for. They were GREAT and LOVED by everyone…me included
It is hard not to love these, right!? Thanks for sharing, Hope.
Hello! Often recipes give nutritional info but I don’t see anywhere how many servings the nutrition info would be accounting for? Thanks!
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.
I figured it was there and I missed it! Thanks! 😆
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.
Sounds delicious! So happy to hear you enjoyed them, Wendy :)
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.
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!
If I wanted to make a salted caramel instead, how much salt to you recommend adding to the caramel
I would use 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt :)
Use salted or sweet butter? Thank you!
Hi Andrea, you can use salted or unsalted depending on if you prefer a salted caramel :)