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Homemade Twix Bars — so much better than the store-bought version. These bars feature a tender, buttery shortbread base, a soft homemade caramel layer, and a glossy chocolate coating finished with flaky sea salt. The shortbread is crumbly yet rich, and the caramel is intentionally soft and chewy rather than rock-hard. Each bite delivers a balance of chew, a touch of crunch, buttery shortbread, rich caramel, and chocolate — familiar, nostalgic, and utterly delicious. These bars are surprisingly approachable to make, taste far superior to packaged Twix, and make a thoughtful homemade gift any time of year.
About the Recipe
Twix is a genius combination of textures and flavors: a crisp shortbread cookie layered with caramel and coated in chocolate. This recipe keeps things classic and straightforward — a simple shortbread, a homemade soft caramel that stays gooey, and a semi-sweet chocolate coating. While making caramel can feel intimidating, it’s very manageable with attention to temperature and a good candy thermometer. The reward is a superior caramel flavor and a candy bar that feels special and homemade.
We created this recipe to be approachable while delivering authentic flavor. The shortbread is quick and uses pantry staples. The caramel is a traditional stovetop caramel cooked to a specific temperature so it stays soft and chewy when cooled. The chocolate coating can be melted or tempered depending on the finish you prefer.
If you’re worried about the caramel step, the key tips are having a reliable candy thermometer, using a pot that’s large enough to allow the caramel to bubble up, and working carefully when pouring the hot caramel over the cooled shortbread. The result is worth the effort — a homemade candy bar with rich flavor and nostalgia in every bite.
Why You’ll Love These Twix Bars
- Can be made with dark, semi-sweet, or milk chocolate for the coating.
- The shortbread base is simple and quick to prepare.
- Requires minimal specialty equipment to keep the recipe accessible.
- The homemade caramel stays soft and gooey inside the bars.
- Perfect as a homemade gift or treat.
- Tastes far better than the store-bought alternative.
Ingredients
Full ingredient amounts and step-by-step instructions are provided in the recipe card below.
For the Shortbread:
- Salted butter, room temperature
- Granulated sugar
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
For the Caramel:
- Granulated sugar
- Corn syrup
- Heavy cream
- Salted butter
- Vanilla extract
For the Chocolate Coating:
- Semi-sweet (or milk/dark) chocolate
- Vegetable oil
How to Make Homemade Twix Bars
Step 1: Make the shortbread and bake
Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Beat softened butter, sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes. Stir in the flour until the dough comes together. Press the dough evenly into a lined 9-inch square pan and bake for about 20 minutes, until it just starts to color. Let the shortbread cool to room temperature before adding the caramel.
Step 2: Make the caramel
In a heavy 4‑quart pot combine the sugar, corn syrup, heavy cream, and butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves, then increase to medium-high. Continue cooking, occasionally brushing down the sides of the pan with a wet pastry brush, until the mixture reaches 245°F (118°C) on a candy thermometer (about 20–30 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Immediately pour the hot caramel over the cooled shortbread and spread it evenly. Allow the caramel to cool completely.
Step 3: Melt the chocolate
Place chocolate and vegetable oil in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until the chocolate is smooth and melted. Alternatively, melt the chocolate gently over a bain-marie.
Step 4: Assemble and coat
Lift the set shortbread and caramel out of the pan and cut into 16 bars. Working one bar at a time, dip each piece into the melted chocolate using a fork, let excess chocolate drip off, and transfer to a lined sheet pan. Trim any excess chocolate after the coating sets. Finish with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt if desired.
What Kind of Chocolate to Use
Semi-sweet (around 60% cacao) provides a richer balance against the sweet caramel, but milk chocolate is traditional and works well too. Bittersweet chocolate can be used for a less sweet finish. If you choose to temper chocolate for a glossy, snappy finish, follow tempering temperatures for the specific chocolate you use.
Serving Ideas
These Twix bars are great on their own, stirred into vanilla ice cream, chopped into brownie batter, folded into cookie dough, or blended into milkshakes. They’re versatile and add a nostalgic touch to many desserts.
Tempered Chocolate or Melted Chocolate?
For ease, melted chocolate combined with a little vegetable oil works well and gives a nice coating. Tempering chocolate gives a glossier, firmer finish but requires more technique. If you want to temper, follow standard tempering steps: melt to the appropriate high temperature, cool to the seed temperature, then gently reheat to the working temperature for your chocolate.
How to Store
Store the bars at room temperature in individual bags or an airtight container for up to a week. If you don’t temper the chocolate, it may soften or develop bloom over time; the bars remain safe to eat but the finish may not look as smooth.
If you make these Homemade Twix Bars, leave a comment and share how they turned out. Enjoy the process — and the delicious results!