Name: Twix Bars
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 2 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk; 1/2 cup brown sugar; 1/4 cup light corn syrup or honey; 1/4 cup unsalted butter; 2 tablespoons heavy cream; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips; 1 tablespoon coconut oil or butter

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These homemade Twix bars are a delicious take on the classic candy bar, made with a buttery shortbread base, a rich layer of caramel, and a smooth chocolate topping. I love how they capture all the flavors of the store-bought version, but with better ingredients and that satisfying homemade touch. Whether I’m making them for a party, a treat-yourself weekend, or a midday sweet tooth moment, these bars never disappoint.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I like this recipe because it gives me full control over the ingredients while still delivering that irresistible combo of crunch, chew, and chocolate. The shortbread is crisp and buttery, the caramel is soft and gooey without being runny, and the chocolate layer adds that perfect finish. They’re easy to cut, fun to serve, and always a hit with anyone who tries them.

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

All-purpose flour
Unsalted butter
Granulated sugar
Salt
Sweetened condensed milk
Brown sugar
Light corn syrup or honey
Heavy cream
Vanilla extract
Semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
Coconut oil or additional butter (to help melt the chocolate smoothly)

Directions

I start by preheating the oven and lining a baking dish with parchment paper for easy removal.
I make the shortbread by creaming together butter, sugar, and salt, then mixing in the flour. I press this mixture into the dish and bake it until it’s golden.
While the crust cools, I make the caramel by combining sweetened condensed milk, brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, and cream in a saucepan. I stir constantly until it thickens and turns a deep golden color.
I pour the caramel over the cooled shortbread and let it set in the fridge until firm.
For the final layer, I melt chocolate chips with a bit of coconut oil and pour it over the caramel, smoothing it out evenly.
Once everything is set, I cut the bars into squares or classic Twix-style fingers and serve.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 16–20 bars, depending on how I slice them. It takes me around 20 minutes to prep, 20 minutes to bake the shortbread, and at least 1–2 hours of cooling and setting time for the layers to firm up properly.

Variations

I sometimes use dark chocolate instead of milk for a richer flavor. If I want a salty-sweet twist, I sprinkle flaky sea salt on top of the chocolate layer. For a dairy-free version, I use coconut milk-based caramel and dairy-free chocolate chips. I’ve even tried adding a layer of peanut butter between the caramel and chocolate for a fun twist.

storage/reheating

I store the bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. They also freeze beautifully—I layer them between parchment paper and freeze for up to a month. I let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before eating so they’re not too firm. These don’t need reheating, but I sometimes warm one up slightly to get that gooey caramel texture back.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought caramel?

Yes, I can use high-quality soft caramel for convenience, but I love making it from scratch for better flavor and texture.

How do I keep the chocolate layer from cracking when slicing?

I use a hot knife and score the chocolate lightly before it fully hardens. That helps me cut clean slices without breaking the top.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes, I just swap the flour for a good-quality 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. The texture stays pretty close to the original.

What size pan should I use?

I usually use an 8×8-inch square pan for thick, bakery-style bars. For thinner ones, a 9×13-inch pan works too.

Do these taste like real Twix bars?

They absolutely do. I find the flavor to be even better since they’re made fresh, with a real buttery crust and creamy caramel.

Conclusion

These homemade Twix bars are everything I want in a dessert—crunchy, creamy, chocolatey, and satisfying. They’re simple to make, fun to share, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. I always make a double batch because they disappear fast!