Welcome to a treat that tastes just like your favorite candy bar! These ultimate Twix-style cookies feature three incredible layers: a buttery, tender shortbread base, a gooey, rich caramel center, and a crisp chocolate topping. This recipe simplifies the process, making it super easy to prepare these delightful bars right in your own kitchen. You will love how customizable these homemade Twix-inspired treats are, perfect for pleasing any crowd.
Why You’ll Love These Ultimate Twix-Style Cookies
- Irresistible Taste: Enjoy the perfect blend of sweet caramel and chocolate paired with a hint of salt. Each bite delivers a harmonious flavor profile that truly satisfies.
- Amazing Texture: Experience the delightful contrast of a crumbly, buttery shortbread crust, soft and chewy caramel, and a snappy chocolate shell. This combination creates an exciting mouthfeel.
- Effortless Preparation: Our step-by-step instructions make baking these candy bar cookies simple for everyone, even beginner bakers. You do not need any special skills to achieve fantastic results.
- Customizable Fun: Easily adapt these shortbread caramel chocolate bars to suit your taste preferences. Experiment with different chocolate types or add extra toppings for a personal touch.
- Sweet Nostalgia: These delicious cookies evoke childhood memories of a classic candy bar. They offer a comforting taste of nostalgia in a homemade form.
Ingredients
Creating these delightful ultimate Twix-style cookies requires just a few pantry staples. Gather your ingredients for the cookie base, the luscious caramel layer, and the perfect chocolate topping. Quality ingredients make a difference, ensuring each component shines through in your finished treat.
- For the Cookie Base
- 1 cup (2 sticks) Unsalted Butter, softened
- 3/4 cup Granulated Sugar
- 3/4 cup packed Light Brown Sugar
- 2 large Eggs
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Fine Sea Salt
- For the Caramel Layer
- 1 cup Store-bought or Homemade Caramel Sauce
- For the Chocolate Topping
- 1 cup Chocolate Chips (milk, dark, or white)
Notes & Substitutions
You can easily adjust several ingredients to fit your dietary needs or preferences. For the butter, use salted butter and omit the added salt in the recipe. Substitute granulated sugar with coconut sugar or brown sugar with dark brown sugar for deeper flavor. If you need a vegan option, use flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water per egg). A gluten-free flour blend works well for a gluten-free cookie. Instead of baking powder, use 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda. For the caramel layer, dulce de leche offers a similar rich taste. If you do not have chocolate chips, simply chop a chocolate bar for the topping.
Equipment
Having the right tools ready makes the baking process smooth and enjoyable. You likely have most of these items in your kitchen already. Gather them before you begin to streamline your preparation for these delightful candy bar cookies.
- Large mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Spatula or spoon
- Wire cooling rack
- Microwave-safe bowls
Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create your own irresistible ultimate Twix-style cookies. Each stage is straightforward, making this recipe perfect for bakers of all skill levels. Remember to read through all the instructions before you begin.
- Prep Oven & Sheet: First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Next, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze for your homemade Twix cookies.
- Cream Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar. Use an electric mixer to beat these ingredients on medium speed until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Incorporate Eggs: Add the large eggs to the creamed mixture, one at a time. Mix well after each addition, ensuring the egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. This helps create a smooth and cohesive dough for your Twix-inspired treats.
- Combine Dry: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and fine sea salt. Gradually add this dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough.
- Shape Dough: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Leave about 2 inches between each cookie for spreading. Use the back of a measuring spoon or your thumb to create a small indent in the center of each dough ball. This forms the perfect well for your caramel layer.
- Bake Cookies: Place the baking sheet into the preheated oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers are set. The indents should still be visible. Remove the sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool slightly on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before moving them.
- Add Caramel: While the cookies cool, gently warm your store-bought or homemade caramel sauce in a microwave-safe bowl or small saucepan until it is pourable. Spoon a generous amount of warm caramel into the indents of each slightly cooled cookie. Spread it gently to fill the well.
- Drizzle Chocolate: In a separate microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips. Heat them in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each, until completely smooth and melted. You can use a spoon, a fork, or a piping bag with a small hole cut in the tip to drizzle the melted chocolate generously over the caramel layer on each cookie.
- Set & Serve: Allow the chocolate to set completely before serving your delicious candy bar cookies. You can place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to speed up the setting process. Once the chocolate is firm, your ultimate Twix-style cookies are ready to enjoy!
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Achieve bakery-quality results with these helpful tips for your Twix-style treats. A little attention to detail makes a big difference.
- Chill Dough: Chilling cookie dough for at least 30 minutes before baking, as explained by food science experts, helps prevent excessive spreading and enhances flavor. This ensures a perfectly buttery, firm shortbread texture.
- Measure Accurately: Use a kitchen scale for precise measurements of flour and sugar. Accurate measuring is key for consistent results and the best cookie texture.
- Avoid Overmixing: Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ones just until no streaks of flour remain. Overmixing develops gluten, leading to tougher cookies.
- Perfect Indents: Use a 1-teaspoon measuring spoon to create uniform indents in the dough. Press gently but firmly to make a clear well for the caramel.
- Doneness Cues: Look for lightly golden edges and centers that appear set but are still slightly soft. Do not wait for the cookies to darken significantly.
- Even Drizzle: For neat and consistent chocolate lines, transfer melted chocolate to a piping bag with a small snipped tip. Alternatively, use a fork to create fine drizzles.
- Quick Setting: If you are in a hurry, place the baking sheet with the finished cookies into the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes. This will firm up the chocolate topping quickly.
Serving, Storage, & Variations
These homemade Twix cookies are incredibly versatile for serving and easy to store. Get creative with different flavor combinations to make them truly your own!
Serving Suggestions
- Serve these delicious cookies warm with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream.
- Pair them alongside a bowl of fresh, tart berries for a balanced treat.
- Enjoy them with a hot cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk for a classic snack.
- Add an extra drizzle of salted caramel over the chocolate for an indulgent finish.
- A dollop of freshly whipped cream elevates the experience of these candy bar cookies.
- Spread a touch of chocolate hazelnut spread on the shortbread base before the caramel.
Storage Instructions
- Room Temperature: Store your ultimate Twix-style cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Refrigerator: For longer freshness, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
- Freezer: To freeze, flash freeze the cooled cookies on a baking sheet until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Make-Ahead Options
- Dough: Prepare the cookie dough ahead of time and chill it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before shaping.
- Baked Cookies: Bake the shortbread bases, cool them completely, and store them in an airtight container. Add the caramel and chocolate toppings closer to serving time for maximum freshness.
Flavor Variations
- Chocolate Types: Experiment with different chocolate chips, dark chocolate, white chocolate, or even a combination for diverse flavor profiles.
- Nutty Crunch: Fold in crushed almonds, pecans, or walnuts into the cookie dough for added texture.
- Salted Caramel: Sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt over the caramel layer before adding the chocolate. This enhances the sweet and salty balance.
- Extracts: Enhance the cookie base by adding 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract or almond extract to the dough.
- Spiced: Introduce a pinch of cinnamon or pumpkin spice to the cookie dough for a warm, comforting twist.
- Double Chocolate: Add 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder to the flour mixture for a rich, double chocolate shortbread base.
Nutrition
These ultimate Twix-style cookies offer a delightful treat, but it is always good to know the nutritional breakdown. Enjoy them as an occasional indulgence.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | 1 cookie |
| Calories | 150 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 22 g |
| Protein | 1 g |
| Fat | 7 g |
| Saturated Fat | 4 g |
| Cholesterol | 20 mg |
| Sodium | 100 mg |
| Potassium | 50 mg |
| Sugar | 10 g |
| Vitamin A | 200 IU |
| Calcium | 10 mg |
| Iron | 0.3 mg |
Please note this is an estimated nutritional value.
FAQ
Got questions about making these incredible Twix-style treats? We have answers to help you bake with confidence!
- How to ensure perfect buttery shortbread? Use room temperature butter, not melted, for creaming with sugar. This creates an airy, tender base. Avoid overmixing the dough, keeping it just combined.
- Can I make the caramel from scratch? Absolutely! Homemade caramel sauce offers a richer, deeper flavor. Make sure it is thick enough to hold its shape but still pourable.
- Why are my cookies spreading too much? The dough might be too warm or you skipped chilling. Chilling helps the butter solidify, preventing excessive spread.
- Best way to melt chocolate for drizzling? Melt chocolate chips in 30-second intervals in the microwave, stirring after each until smooth. Be careful not to overheat the chocolate.
- Can these cookies be made gluten-free? Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend as a direct substitute for all-purpose flour. The texture will still be delicious.
- How to achieve a crispier shortbread base? Bake the cookies for an extra 1-2 minutes, watching carefully for deeper golden edges. This yields a crunchier shortbread.
Conclusion
You have just mastered the art of creating these ultimate Twix-style cookies! With their irresistible layers of buttery shortbread, gooey caramel, and rich chocolate, these treats are truly a delight. This recipe proves that making delicious, impressive desserts can be simple and fun, even for beginners. We hope you enjoy every single bite of these homemade candy bar cookies. Try this recipe today, share your creations, and let us know what you think in the comments below!
Ultimate Twix-Style Cookies: Irresistible and Delicious Treats
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, cream the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until fully incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt; then gradually combine with the wet ingredients.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the baking sheet and create indents in the center.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden; cool slightly on the baking sheet before proceeding.
- Heat the caramel sauce until warm and pourable, then spoon it into the indents of the cooled cookies.
- Melt the chocolate chips and drizzle them over the caramel-filled cookies, then let them set before serving.
Notes
