Homemade “Twix” Bars are a decadent, indulgent treat that mimic the flavors of the classic candy bar but with the added benefit of being made from scratch. With a buttery shortbread crust, a rich caramel layer, and a smooth chocolate coating, these homemade Twix bars deliver all the deliciousness of the original but with a homemade touch that’s hard to beat. Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth or impressing guests at a party, these bars are sure to become a favorite in your dessert rotation.
The base of these bars starts with a buttery shortbread crust that’s crispy and slightly crumbly. The dough is easy to make and comes together quickly with just a few simple ingredients: butter, sugar, flour, and a pinch of salt. After pressing the dough into a pan and baking it to golden perfection, the shortbread provides the perfect foundation for the rest of the layers.
Next comes the rich caramel layer, which is made by simmering butter, brown sugar, and sweetened condensed milk together until thick and golden. The caramel should be soft but not too runny, so it holds up when you cut into the bars. Pour the caramel over the baked shortbread crust, spreading it evenly to create a luscious, gooey layer. Once the caramel has set slightly, it’s time for the final layer—the chocolate coating.
A simple melted chocolate layer, often made with milk or dark chocolate (or a mix of both), is poured over the caramel and spread evenly. After a quick chill in the fridge, the chocolate firms up, creating a smooth and shiny finish. The result is a perfect combination of textures—crispy, buttery shortbread, soft, sweet caramel, and a glossy, rich chocolate coating.
These Homemade “Twix” Bars are easy to customize as well. You can drizzle extra chocolate on top for a decorative touch or sprinkle sea salt over the caramel layer to enhance the flavors. For a fun twist, try using white chocolate or adding a bit of peanut butter to the caramel layer for a unique variation on the classic treat.
Whether you’re making them for a holiday dessert table, a special occasion, or just to enjoy with a cup of tea, these homemade Twix bars are a showstopper. They’re the perfect balance of sweet, buttery, and chocolatey goodness, and they’re sure to satisfy even the biggest candy bar fans.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups chocolate chips semi-sweet or milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until fluffy. Mix in the flour and salt until combined.
- Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the edges are golden.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the additional butter and stir in the sweetened condensed milk. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Pour the caramel mixture over the baked shortbread crust. Let it cool at room temperature.
- Melt chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl or over a double boiler. Spread the melted chocolate evenly over the cooled caramel layer.
- Allow chocolate to set completely before slicing into bars and serving.
Nutrition
The parchment helped a lot—bars came out clean. I’m not even kidding, it was like pulling them from a candy mold.
Made these last night—so buttery and the caramel actually thickened for me (5-6 min, not 10). Chocolate layer set perfectly. Definitely a keeper for potlucks.
YUUUM! Made these for a party and they were gone in a minute. Definitely making again!
So glad to hear that! They really are a hit! What other recipes did you try?
They were gone in a minute? How many people were at this party? I might try but can’t guarantee they’ll last!
I gotta say, this was way too sweet for my taste. I think less sugar would make it better.
Best dessert ever!!! Did I mention how easy this was?!! YUM!!! 🤤
I totally agree! These are super easy to make and so delicious! Perfect for a sweet tooth. ❤️
Really? They don’t look that great to me. I think I would mess it up for sure. 😅
These turned out amazing! A true Twix lover’s dream. 5 stars!
My kids loved these! We made them for a bake sale and they were a hit. Will definitely make again!
I was skeptical at first, but these bars are really good. Could use more caramel though.
I followed it but my caramel never really ‘thickened’ after 7 minutes. Maybe my stove runs cool? I simmered longer and it eventually worked.
I forgot to line my pan and now it’s stuck. Total bummer. Will try again but not happy. 1 star.
It happens to the best of us! Next time, try using parchment paper. It really helps. Good luck! 😊
Come on, it’s not that bad. Just scrape it out and enjoy the mess! Better than not trying at all! 🤷♂️
Lol, I used salted butter instead and it still tasted great. 😂
Not my favorite. I think it’s too sweet, and I love sweets!
I totally get what you mean! It does have a lot of sugar. You might want to try reducing the sugar next time you make them.
This is an interesting twist on Twix. But do we really need the condensed milk? Seems unnecessary.
I actually think the condensed milk adds a nice creaminess that balances the flavors! It’s a key part of the ‘caramel’ layer. Give it a try!
Are you supposed to refrigerate it? I left it out and it’s all sticky! Yikes.
I thought you can just leave it out, but I guess not! I made mine last week and they were fine… kinda. Sticky sounds bad tho.
Yes, you should refrigerate them to keep them firm! Leaving them out can make the chocolate and caramel sticky. Try cutting them when they’re cold next time!
I followed the instructions correctly, but my chocolate just wouldn’t melt properly. So frustrating!
I followed every step but it came out a gooey mess. What did I do wrong? 😩
Umm, does anyone think this needs more sugar? I like it sweeter. But overall, it’s good!
I think it’s all about personal taste! You could try adding more sugar next time if you like it sweeter. But honestly, I find these bars perfect as is. 😋
More sugar? Really? I think it’s sweet enough already! Some recipes can’t handle too much sugar, ya know?
Wait, does this recipe need eggs? I think I missed something. Not sure about the texture.
Nope, no eggs in this one! The texture comes from the butter and condensed milk. You’ll love it!
I don’t know about that! This sounds weird, no eggs? How can it be chewy like real Twix? 🤔
Just tried these—why are they so good?? I ate one and then immediately made more. Classic.
I followed it exactly and my crust was kinda crumbly after baking. I think I pressed it too thin? Tasted great anyway. Next time I’ll pack it more firmly.
That crumbly texture makes sense if the crust was pressed a bit too thin—15–20 min can set the edges but leave the center fragile. Glad it still tasted great though! Next time try pressing more firmly (and maybe chilling the dough 10–15 min before baking) so it holds together better.