Golden Caramel Shortbread Chocolate Bars

Indulge in the ultimate homemade treat with these outrageously delicious Homemade Twix Bars. Featuring a buttery shortbread crust, a luscious layer of gooey caramel, and a smooth milk chocolate glaze, these bars are the perfect way to satisfy your deepest sweet cravings. Forget the store-bought version; once you taste these, you’ll never go back!

If you’re a devoted Twix Bar enthusiast, prepare to be amazed. This recipe transforms your favorite candy bar into a sophisticated, yet surprisingly simple, homemade dessert that promises an unforgettable indulgence. Each bite delivers a delightful symphony of textures and flavors, making it a truly irresistible treat for any occasion.

Why You Must Make These Homemade Twix Bars

There’s a special kind of magic that comes with baking from scratch, especially when it recreates a beloved classic. Our Homemade Twix Bars offer more than just nostalgia; they provide a superior flavor experience that store-bought versions simply can’t match. Here’s why these copycat Twix bars deserve a spot in your baking repertoire:

• Unrivaled Flavor and Texture: These bars boast a buttery, crisp shortbread base that melts in your mouth, perfectly complementing the rich, chewy caramel layer. Topped with a snap of smooth milk chocolate, they offer an incredible balance of sweet, salty, and satisfying textures. It’s a three-layer masterpiece that delivers two thumbs up every single time!
• Surprisingly Simple to Prepare: Don’t be intimidated by the multi-layered structure. Each step in this recipe is straightforward and accessible, even for novice bakers. The biggest ‘challenge’ might be cutting them into perfectly neat squares – a task made easier with our pro tips – but rest assured, whether perfectly cut or rustic, they will taste absolutely divine. This makes them a fantastic project for a casual baking day or for preparing treats for gatherings like an annual cookie exchange.
• Control Over Ingredients: Making your Twix bars at home means you know exactly what goes into them. You can choose high-quality butter, your favorite brand of caramels, and premium chocolate, resulting in a cleaner, fresher, and more robust flavor profile that truly shines.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: From a simple weeknight dessert to an impressive potluck contribution or a thoughtful homemade gift, these caramel shortbread chocolate bars are always a hit. Their delightful combination of familiar flavors makes them universally appealing.

Essential Ingredient Notes for Perfect Homemade Twix Bars

Creating these sensational bars starts with understanding your ingredients. While the list is simple, choosing the right components and knowing their role is key to achieving that authentic Twix taste and texture.

• Kitchen Staples: You’ll need basic baking essentials like granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, and real vanilla extract. Always opt for pure vanilla extract for the best flavor; imitation vanilla simply won’t yield the same rich depth.
• Butter: For the shortbread crust, cold butter is absolutely crucial. Cold butter creates pockets of steam during baking, resulting in a tender, crumbly, and flaky crust that is a hallmark of good shortbread. Both salted and unsalted butter work well; if using salted, you might slightly reduce any added salt in the crust, though the recipe typically balances this out.
• Werther’s Original Chewy Caramels: For the caramel layer, I highly recommend Werther’s Original Chewy Caramels. Their rich, buttery flavor and smooth texture melt beautifully, creating an incredibly decadent and authentic-tasting caramel filling. While Kraft caramels are an alternative, Werther’s offers a superior flavor profile. Remember to unwrap them all before you start – it’s a small step that saves time and hassle during the cooking process.
• Heavy Cream: This is the secret to a perfectly luscious, creamy, and spreadable caramel layer. Heavy cream adds richness and ensures the caramel remains smooth and pliable, preventing it from becoming too stiff or brittle once cooled.
• Milk Chocolate: The iconic Twix topping is milk chocolate, providing a sweet and creamy counterpoint to the shortbread and caramel. I personally love Ghirardelli Bars for their quality and melting consistency, but good quality milk chocolate chips or other baking bars can be used. Just ensure your chocolate is fresh and not old, as this can affect its melting properties and final taste.
• Vegetable Shortening (Optional): A small amount of vegetable shortening added to the melted chocolate is an optional, but highly recommended, trick for achieving a super glossy, smooth, and easy-to-spread chocolate topping. It also helps the chocolate set with a satisfying snap and prevents it from blooming (forming white streaks) over time.

How to Make Homemade Twix Bars: A Step-by-Step Guide

Crafting these delectable bars is an enjoyable process, broken down into three main layers. Follow these steps carefully for the best results:

1. Prepare the Shortbread Crust: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick foil, leaving an overhang on the sides. This “foil sling” will be your best friend later for easy removal and slicing. In a large bowl, combine your cold, cubed butter with sugar. Use either a pastry blender or a food processor to cut the butter into the sugar until the mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. This method ensures even distribution of butter, leading to a tender crust. Stir in the vanilla extract, then gradually add the flour, mixing until just incorporated and the mixture is crumbly.
2. Bake the Crust: Press the crumbly shortbread mixture evenly onto the bottom of your prepared baking pan. Lightly flouring your fingertips can help prevent sticking. Prick the entire surface of the crust with a fork. This prevents the shortbread from puffing up unevenly during baking. Bake for approximately 15 minutes, or until the crust is lightly golden brown on top and the edges are a deeper golden hue. Once baked, remove from the oven and set aside to cool completely on a wire rack. A cool crust is essential before adding the caramel.
3. Create the Caramel Layer: While the crust cools, prepare your caramel. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the unwrapped Werther’s chewy caramels with the heavy cream. Stir constantly until the caramels are completely melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy. Alternatively, you can melt them in the microwave in 30-60 second intervals, stirring well after each interval, until perfectly smooth. Pour the warm caramel evenly over the cooled shortbread crust. Gently spread it with an offset spatula if needed. Immediately transfer the pan to the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to allow the caramel to chill and firm up.
4. Apply the Chocolate Topping: Once the caramel layer is firm, it’s time for the chocolate. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine your chopped milk chocolate (or chocolate chips) and the optional vegetable shortening. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring thoroughly after each, until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth. Be careful not to overheat the chocolate, as this can cause it to seize. Pour the melted chocolate evenly over the chilled caramel layer. For an extra touch of visual appeal, you can use a frosting tool or the tines of a fork to create a striated or wavy design across the top of the chocolate before it sets.
5. Chill and Serve: Return the pan to the refrigerator and chill for at least 1-2 hours, or until the chocolate topping is completely set and firm. This chilling time is crucial for easy and clean slicing. Once fully set, use the foil sling to lift the entire slab of bars out of the pan and onto a cutting board.
6. Slice and Enjoy: For the cleanest cuts, use a sharp knife that has been heated under hot water and then wiped completely dry. This helps glide through the chocolate and caramel. Wipe the knife clean between each slice to ensure smooth edges. Cut into your desired bar size (typically 24 bars from a 9×13 pan) and serve.

Recipe Tips for Homemade Twix Bar Perfection

Achieving bakery-quality homemade Twix bars is easier than you think with these expert tips:

• The Non-Stick Foil Advantage: As mentioned, lining your baking pan with non-stick foil (or parchment paper) is a game-changer. Not only does it make lifting the entire slab of bars out of the pan incredibly easy, but it also prevents the notoriously sticky caramel layer from adhering to the pan. This means less mess and perfectly intact bars.
• Mastering the Shortbread Crust: Using a pastry blender or even a food processor for the crust ensures that small pieces of cold butter are evenly dispersed throughout the dough. This technique prevents gluten development, leading to a much more tender, crumbly, and delicate shortbread that is the perfect foundation for your bars. Avoid overworking the dough.
• Effortless Caramel Filling: Opting for bagged, pre-made soft caramels (like Werther’s) for the filling is a fantastic shortcut that saves a significant amount of time and effort compared to making caramel from scratch. It guarantees a consistent, gooey texture without the fuss. Just remember to unwrap them all before melting!
• Perfecting the Chocolate Layer: A small offset spatula is ideal for spreading the melted chocolate smoothly and evenly over the caramel. For an added touch of elegance and visual interest, you can use a plastic cake decorating comb or the tines of a fork to create attractive striations across the warm chocolate surface before it completely sets. This simple detail elevates the presentation.
• The Art of Clean Slicing: Patience is key here. Ensure the bars are thoroughly chilled in the refrigerator until the chocolate and caramel layers are completely firm. For the cleanest cuts, use a sharp knife that has been briefly heated under hot running water, then immediately wiped bone dry. The warmth helps the knife slice through the chocolate and caramel without dragging or tearing. Remember to wipe the knife clean between each cut to maintain pristine edges.
• Avoid Overbaking the Shortbread: Keep a close eye on your shortbread crust. Overbaking can make it too hard and dry, detracting from the overall tenderness. It should be lightly golden, not deeply browned.
• Don’t Rush the Chilling: Each chilling step (after caramel, and after chocolate) is vital. Rushing these steps will result in a messy, difficult-to-cut bar where the layers might merge or shift. Plan ahead to give them ample time to set.

Frequently Asked Questions About Homemade Twix Bars

More Decadent Desserts You May Also Like:

If you’ve fallen in love with the classic combination of chocolate and caramel, you’ll be thrilled to explore these other delicious recipes from my kitchen:

• Chocolate Caramel Twix Cheesecake – A creamy cheesecake loaded with Twix candy bar pieces.
• Twix Cheesecake Bars – All the flavors of a Twix in a convenient bar form, perfect for sharing.
• Chocolate Caramel Shortbread Cookies – Nicknamed “Twix Cookies,” these are a delightful bite-sized version.
• Double Chocolate Twix Cookies – For the true chocoholics, combining rich chocolate cookies with Twix goodness.
• Milky Way Brownies – Another classic candy bar transformed into a gooey brownie treat.
• Plus, explore more of my Best Cookie Recipes for endless baking inspiration!

This beloved recipe was originally shared in January 2013 and has been a favorite ever since. The photos and text were lovingly updated in 2021 to provide an even better baking experience for you.

The Recipe:

Homemade Twix Bars

Prep Time
30 minutes

Cook Time
15 minutes

Total Time
45 minutes

Yield
24 bars

Decadent shortbread bars topped with a rich caramel layer and smooth milk chocolate.

Ingredients

For the Buttery Shortbread Layer:

• 2 sticks (1 cup) cold butter, cut into small pieces
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour

For the Gooey Caramel Layer:

• 20 ounces Werther’s Original Chewy Caramels, completely unwrapped
• 3 tablespoons heavy cream

For the Smooth Chocolate Topping:

• 18 ounces milk chocolate, chopped (Ghirardelli Bars recommended, but good quality chocolate chips are an alternative)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening (optional, for glossiness and smoother spreading)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9″ x 13″ baking pan with nonstick foil, leaving an overhang on the longer sides to create a “sling” for easy removal. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, use a pastry blender (or a food processor) to cut the cold, small pieces of butter into the sugar until the mixture resembles coarse cornmeal.
3. Stir in the vanilla extract, then gradually add the flour until just incorporated and the mixture is crumbly. Do not overmix.
4. Press the crumbly shortbread mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Lightly flouring your fingertips can prevent sticking.
5. Prick the entire crust all over with a fork to prevent bubbling.
6. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the crust is lightly golden brown on top and the edges are a deeper golden brown. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
7. Prepare the Caramel Layer: In a small saucepan, combine the unwrapped caramels and heavy cream. Melt over low heat, stirring constantly, until the caramel is smooth and fully melted. Alternatively, melt in the microwave in 30-60 second intervals, stirring well between each, until smooth.
8. Pour the melted caramel evenly over the completely cooled shortbread crust. Gently spread with an offset spatula if needed. Place the pan in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to chill and firm up the caramel layer.
9. Prepare the Chocolate Layer: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chopped milk chocolate and vegetable shortening (if using) in 30-second increments, stirring until smooth and glossy.
10. Pour the melted chocolate over the chilled caramel layer and spread evenly with an offset spatula. If desired, use a plastic frosting tool or the tines of a fork to create decorative striations on the warm chocolate before it sets.
11. Chill and Slice: Return the pan to the refrigerator for at least 1-2 hours, or until the chocolate topping is completely set. Once firm, use the foil overhang to carefully lift the entire slab of bars out of the pan and transfer it to a cutting board.
12. For clean slices, heat a sharp knife under hot water, wipe it completely dry, and then cut the bars into desired squares or rectangles. Wipe the knife clean between each cut. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator to prevent the caramel from oozing.

Notes

For the caramel layer, while Kraft caramels can be used, I find that Werther’s Original Chewy Caramels offer a superior, richer flavor and smoother texture, making them my preferred choice.

The buttery shortbread crust is designed to be tender and slightly crumbly. You may find it crumbles a bit when slicing, which is characteristic of a good shortbread. Don’t worry, they will still taste absolutely amazing!

Due to the soft and gooey caramel, these bars are best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you desire the neatest possible slices for serving, consider cutting them into squares just before you plan to serve them.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

24 bars

Serving Size:

1 bar

Amount Per Serving (estimated):
Calories: 338
Total Fat: 17g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 29mg
Sodium: 136mg
Carbohydrates: 43g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 31g
Protein: 4g