Fancy Caramel Toffee Shortbread Bars…OK, Fine – Homemade Twix

Let me start by saying, I’m a foodie. And as translated by some, I’ve been accused of being a food snob. My rebuttal is always, “We all have our snobbery.” If food is my worst snobbery I will take it with a glass of wine in one hand a Twinkie in the other.

So how the hell does snobbery play into this post? I’ll tell you. I made this last weekend and called them Caramel & Toffee Shortbread Bars. I was quickly corrected by a room full of 5-16 year olds and adults that these were nothing more than a homemade Twix copycat. And they also accused me of putting a “snobby” foodie title on a simple dessert.

Luckily, it doesn’t pain me to say — they are right. I’m for sure going to be calling these homemade Twix bars going forward —such an easier sell.

Some of you might be familiar with this as Millionaire Shortbread Bars or Chocolate Caramel Shortbread. Call it what you want, but take a look at the specs and you have yourself a homemade Twix bar. Shortbread bottom, caramel midsection and chocolate on top — yeah, that’s a Twix profile. The only thing I did was throw in some toffee chips for another of layer of flavor. I should mention, don’t skip the toffee chips — it makes the bars by adding a butter rich flavor to it.

The best part about these homemade Twix bars is that there’s no wrapper to trash when their gone. Just lick your fingers and-done.

Homemade Twix Bar

Shortbread Layer

  • ½ cup butter, melted
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • ¾ cup flour plus 2 tablespoons
  • ½ cup toffee chip

Caramel Layer

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 6 tablespoons water
  • 4 tablespoon butter
  • ¼ c heavy cream
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt (optional, for salted caramel sauce)

Chocolate Layer

  • 6oz chocolate
  • 1 teaspoon corn syrup
  • 5 tablespoon butter

Instructions:

To make chocolate chip cookie layer

  1. Melt butter and let cool to warm. Add in brown sugar and mix to combine. Add in egg and vanilla extract and mix to combine. Add in flour and food to combine. Fold in toffee bits and combine. Pour mixture into pan and flatten top to a smooth finish. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 12-15 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.

To make caramel layer:

  1. Place sugar and water into a saucepan over medium low heat and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Dissolve any crystals forming on the side with a wet pastry brush.
  2. Once sugar has dissolved increase heat to high.
  3. At this point do not stir the mixture directly. Now and then, using the handle, give the pot a swirl to keep the mixture moving. The mixture will start to bubble after a minute or so.
  4. After 3-4 minutes the mixture will turn from light amber to medium amber. Add the butter and heavy cream and stir to combine. The mixture will bubble wildly. Whisk to combine (bubbles will subside upon cooling). Set aside to cool completely.

To make chocolate layer:

  1. Place all ingredients in a heat proof bowl set over simmering water. Stir until melted. Pour mixture on top of cooled bar, using an offset spatula evenly spread chocolate layer.

Assembly:

  1. Pour cooled caramel on shortbread. Pour chocolate on top of caramel, using an offset spatula evenly spread chocolate layer to a smooth finish.
  2. Transfer fully assembled bars to refrigerator to chill until chocolate has set.
  3. Cut to desired size and serve.

Notes:

  • I used a 14×4 tart pan, but an 8×8 pan will work just as well.
  • I would not recommend using store bought caramel, as it’s generally made with more of a pouring consistency; and therefore, will not hold up well in terms of body and shape for cutting into bars.
  • If you are making caramel for the first time, make sure to read this post for a step-by step tutorial to making homemade caramel.
  • For this recipe, make sure to add the butter and cream at the medium amber stage to keep the caramel on the softer side.
  • Bars are best eaten the same day within a day or two.

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7 comments

  • Jessica January 28, 2012  

    Yes yes all kinds of yes – toffee is always a welcome addition to, uh, pretty much everything. I need to make these – that toffee is pushing it over the edge for me.

  • Lisa @ Snappy Gourmet January 28, 2012  

    Those look amazing!!

  • Caitlin January 28, 2012  

    These look great! You don’t seem like a food snob to me! your food is always yummy

  • Erin Croutons February 1, 2012  

    My dear LORD, these look breathtaking! I too have been called a food snob, but it’s only because I eat and cook fresh, real food instead of processed junk. I definitely SHOULDN’T make these….but I think I will! 🙂

  • Avanika (Yumsilicious Bakes) February 9, 2012  

    Hahha. I can totally relate. After being accused of snobbery quite a bit, I just have stopped mentioning what the dessert is, and only answer if people ask about it. They just blindly appreciate it without snobbery accusations then.

  • 4virtu October 23, 2012  

    Happy Tasty Tuesday! We love this recipe and it is featured on our DIY & Homemade Halloween Candy Recipes! THANKS!
    http://4virtu.com/2012/10/16-diy-homemade-halloween-candy-recipes/

  • Michele December 14, 2012  

    I am about to make these delicious looking bars but then I noticed that in step 1 you write: “Add in flour and food to combine”. This confuses me. Is it a typo or is there something called food that I should be adding? LOL Or was the whole foodie/snob thing weighing on your mind which led to the addition of “food” to the recipe? Regardless, I think I will just omit adding food because they look so good and I can’t wait any longer to try them.

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