Twix Cookie Bars are a homemade treat that combines buttery shortbread, smooth caramel, and rich chocolate all in one bite. These bars are guaranteed to transport you back to childhood memories of sneaking sweets from the pantry.
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Twix Cookie Bars are the perfect combination of buttery cookies, homemade caramel, and creamy milk chocolate. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out in the kitchen, making your own candy cookie is a rewarding and mouth-watering experience. Get ready to impress family and friends with this irresistible treat straight from your own oven!
If you’re looking for more caramel and chocolate recipes, try these Chocolate Caramel Oatmeal Squares, Caramel Pretzels with Chocolate and Chocolate Chip Salted Caramel Cookie Bars.
Why We Love This Homemade Twix Cookie Bars Recipe
Indulge in the ultimate homemade dessert experience with our Twix desserts! We’ve crafted a recipe that embodies the classic flavors of Twix but takes them to new heights. This recipe has all the elements that make it a winner in our hearts and in our taste buds. Smooth and creamy caramel and layers of shortbread, coated in chocolate.
- Family Friendly: Our recipe is a hit with the whole family! Kids and adults will love the combination of buttery cookie dough, creamy caramel, and rich chocolate.
- Better Than the Favorite Candy Bar: While original Twix bars are delicious, our homemade version takes it to the next level. The cookie layer is buttery and tender, the caramel is gooey and perfectly sweet, and the chocolate is rich and smooth. no corn syrup or artificial ingredients, so if you love Twix you have to try this recipe.
Twix Ingredients to Make Homemade Bars
- Cookie Dough: For this recipe, you can use your favorite store-bought chocolate chip cookie dough or make your own from scratch.
- Butter: Unsalted butter works best in this recipe as it allows you to control the saltiness. However, if you only have salted butter on hand, you can use it.
- Sugar: We use both granulated sugar for the shortbread layer and brown sugar for the caramel layer. The combination of these sugars adds a perfect balance of sweetness to the bars.
- Flour: All-purpose flour is the main ingredient in the cookie dough layer, giving it the right texture and structure.
- Chocolate: Use your favorite chocolate chips to melt and spread over the caramel layer. You can also add a teaspoon of oil to achieve a smoother consistency. Dark chocolate, semi-sweet milk chocolate, or whatever kind you like.
See my recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
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Variations and Substitutions for Caramel Dessert Bars Recipe
With a little creativity, you can turn these delightful treats into something uniquely yours. Explore a range of delicious variations that will elevate the flavors and make these bars even more irresistible.
- Chocolate Melts: If you want to save time, use chocolate melting wafers instead of melting chocolate chips. They have a smooth texture and melt easily for a hassle-free process.
- Premade Caramel: While making caramel from scratch is easy, you can opt for premade caramel sauce, caramel bits, or other caramel candy if you’re short on time. Just ensure it has a thick and pourable consistency.
How to Make Homemade Twix Candy Bars
These are the basic steps for making a Twix cookie recipe. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions for this easy recipe.
Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Dish
First, preheat your oven to 325 degrees F and line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper for easy removal. Also, try a little cooking spray for easier removal.
Step 2: Make Shortbread Cookie Base Layer
Then in a bowl, whisk the flour and granulated sugar together. Then add in the softened butter and blend with a fork until well combined. Next, press this mixture into an even layer on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Step 3: Add Cookie Dough and Bake
Then take chunks of chocolate chip cookie dough and press them into a layer on top of the shortbread crust. Bake in the preheated oven for 22-25 minutes. The cookie dough layer should still look slightly undone.
Step 4: Make the Caramel Sauce
In a saucepan, melt brown sugar over medium heat while stirring occasionally. Once the brown sugar has completely melted, add in the butter and sweetened condensed milk, and stir continuously until a bubbling chewy caramel forms.
Step 5: Add Caramel to Baking Dish and Chill
Pour the caramel sauce over the cookie dough layer, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Place the baking dish in the refrigerator for 20 minutes to firm up the caramel.
Step 6: Melt Chocolate and Refrigerate
Then melt the chocolate chips in the microwave at 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Add the chocolate over the chilled caramel layer and spread it evenly. Return the dish to the refrigerator for an hour.
Step 7: Cool Completely and Cut
Once the chocolate has hardened, remove the baking dish from the refrigerator. Finally, dip a sharp knife into hot water to easily cut the bars into squares or desired shapes.
Recipe FAQs for Twix Cookie with a Caramel Layer
Expert Tips for Making This Twix Recipe
By following these tips, you’ll be able to create this Twix bar cookie recipe that looks and tastes like it came straight from a gourmet bakery. Enjoy the sweet satisfaction of savoring each layer and delight in sharing these treats with your family and friends.
- Add M&Ms: For an extra burst of color and flavor, sprinkle some M&Ms or mini M&Ms on top of the melted chocolate before putting it in the fridge.
- Top with Flakey Sea Salt: If you enjoy the combination of sweet and salty, adding a pinch of salt over the melted chocolate layer will add a delicious twist.
- Cutting Tip: To achieve a clean and professional look, dip a sharp knife in hot water before making each cut. This prevents the layers from sticking to the knife and ensures smooth edges.
- Store: Store these cookies at room temperature in an airtight container.
What to Serve with Twix Cookie Bars
Twix Cookie Bars
Equipment
- Sharp Knife
Ingredients
Cookie Layer
- 1 ¼ cups All purpose flour
- ¼ cup White granulated sugar
- ⅔ cup Unsalted butter
- 16.5 ounces Cookie dough, 1 tube
Caramel Layer
- ½ cup Butter
- ½ cup Light brown sugar
- ½ cup Sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tablespoons Corn syrup
Chocolate Layer
- 2 cups Chocolate chips, melted
Instructions
- Set the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper.
- Whisk the flour and sugar together in a bowl, then blend in the softened butter using a fork until fully combined.
- Empty the contents of this mixture into the baking dish, making sure it is spread out evenly and firmly pressed down onto the bottom of the pan.
- Layer the shortbread crust with the chocolate cookie dough, making sure it covers the surface completely. Press chunks of dough into the pan, ensuring they are evenly distributed and firmly pressed down.
- Pop into the oven and let it bake for 22-25 minutes. Don’t worry if the cookie dough layer seems a bit unfinished; that’s exactly how it should be.
- While allowing this to cool, put the brown sugar in a saucepan. Apply medium heat and stir occasionally until it completely melts.
- After it has completely melted, incorporate the butter and sweetened condensed milk.
- Stir non-stop while the mixture combines and melts. Although it may look a little separated, keep stirring until the caramel begins to bubble and form.
- Gently pour this layer onto the cookie dough layer, ensuring even coverage with a rubber spatula or spoon. Allow to cool in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
- Microwave the chocolate chip cookies in 30-second intervals until fully melted and smooth, approximately 5 minutes before removing the baking dish from the refrigerator. To achieve a thinner consistency, incorporate a teaspoon of oil while melting the chocolate.
- The caramel layer needs to have a firm consistency to prevent it from blending and merging with the chocolate. Pour the melted chocolate over it, ensuring an even distribution, and return it to the refrigerator for 60 minutes.
- Cut square bars of this dessert using a sharp knife that has been dipped in hot water.
Expert Tips
- Add M&Ms: For an extra burst of color and flavor, sprinkle some M&Ms or mini M&Ms on top of the melted chocolate before putting it in the fridge.
- Top with Flakey Sea Salt: If you enjoy the combination of sweet and salty, sprinkling a touch of flakey sea salt over the melted chocolate layer will add a delicious twist.
- Cutting Tip: To achieve a clean and professional look, dip a sharp knife in hot water before making each cut. This prevents the layers from sticking to the knife and ensures smooth edges.