Twix-Inspired Chocolate Caramel Bars (Printable)
Decadent three-layer bars featuring crisp shortbread, smooth caramel, and velvety chocolate topping.
# What You Need:
→ Shortbread Base
01 - 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
02 - 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
03 - 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
04 - 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
→ Caramel Layer
05 - 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter
06 - 1 cup (200 g) packed light brown sugar
07 - 4 tablespoons (60 ml) light corn syrup or golden syrup
08 - 2 (14 oz / 397 g) cans sweetened condensed milk
09 - 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
→ Chocolate Topping
10 - 10 oz (285 g) milk chocolate, chopped or chips
11 - 1 tablespoon (15 g) unsalted butter
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in flour and salt until a soft dough forms.
03 - Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Prick with a fork. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove from oven and let cool completely.
04 - In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, then stir in brown sugar, corn syrup, sweetened condensed milk, and salt. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring constantly, and cook for 7–10 minutes until thickened and golden (mixture should reach 225°F/107°C on a candy thermometer).
05 - Pour the hot caramel evenly over the cooled shortbread. Spread with a spatula. Allow to cool and set at room temperature for 1 hour, or until firm.
06 - Melt chocolate and butter together in a heatproof bowl set over simmering water (double boiler) or in the microwave in 20-second bursts. Stir until smooth.
07 - Pour the melted chocolate over the caramel layer. Spread evenly. Let the bars set at room temperature or refrigerate for 30 minutes until the chocolate is firm but not hard.
08 - Use the parchment overhang to lift the bars from the pan. Cut into 16 bars with a sharp knife, wiping the blade between cuts for clean edges.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The three layer texture creates that perfect crunch chew snap combination you crave from the candy aisle
- Making these at home means you control exactly how thick and generous each layer gets
02 -
- Let the shortbread cool completely before adding caramel or the layers will slide into each other
- Constant stirring during caramel making prevents scorching which would ruin the whole batch
03 -
- Sprinkle flaky sea salt over the caramel layer before chocolate for an instant salted caramel upgrade
- Swap milk chocolate for dark if you find these too sweet