A super-decadent, vegan and gluten-free version a favorite childhood candy bar: Twix bar cookies!
Anything with caramel screams decadence, but thereโs something extra special when it’s combined with buttery shortbread then coated in rich, creamy chocolate! It goes from good to GREAT & these Twix Bars are pretty spectacular!
Copycat Vegan Twix Bar
Because I’m feeling generous, I wanted to give you a gift. A gift of deliciousness to be exact. A treat that you can share with your loved ones that is completely dairy-free, eggless, gluten-free & nut-free. Homemade Twix Bar Cookies…..
Are Twix Bars healthy?
The ingredients you use in your homemade Twix Bars, will determine if it’s a better-for-you option for not. For this recipe, I wanted to give you something different, something allergy-friendly and a little healthier too. Most recipes I’ve seen require either lots of sugars, nut flours or caramel from a jar. Others, use date caramel like these Homemade Twix Bars from Faith Food Fitness and although I really enjoy this option, I really wanted to use SunButter as a way to create more of a peanut butter-like caramel filling.
Twix Bar base
The shortbread portion of these Twix bar cookies was based on recipe I recreated years ago when we first went allergy-free. It was my Grandma’s Christmas shortbread that I cleaned up and made allergy-friendly. This buttery shortbread uses five ingredients โ vegan butter, GF flour, confectioner’s sugar, cornstarch and vanilla extract which is not only delicious on its own, but is the perfect base for the sweet caramel & smooth, dark chocolate.
Twix without caramel
If you have a jar of SunButter and a few other ingredients, you can make your own filling without adding ingredients like corn syrup. It’s freaking amazing ya’ll! And best of all, it makes a little extra so you can use it as a delicious dip for your apples or drizzle it on top off your waffles .
Twix Bars with homemade chocolate
Last but never least: chocolate. With just three ingredients โ cacao powder, coconut oil (or another neutral oil), and pure maple syrup โ you can make your own chocolate topping. Youโll simply melt everything together then pour that richness over the caramel layer. Sprinkle with some Himalayan sea salt and you’ve created an explosion of awesomeness!
Candy Bar Heaven
After a small amount of setting time in your fridge (or freezer if you can’t wait that long), slice into brownie-sized squares or Twix-like bars then sink your teeth into caramel-chocolate-shortbread heaven. They keep perfectly in the fridge, so you can indulge in one of the best treats on the planet for a few days.
Ready to Tempt your Tastebuds?
Here’s a few more of our favorite treats using SunButter:
SunButter Caramel Twix Bar Cookies
This super decadent, vegan & gluten-free version of a favorite childhood candy bar is made with buttery shortbread, rich & creamy caramel and smooth homemade chocolate. This irresistible Twix Bar Cookie will be your new favorite treat.ย
Ingredients
Shortbread Crust:ย
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) vegan butter, softened (Earth Balance)
- 1 cup gluten-free flour (Bob's Red Mill 1-1)
- 1/3 cup vegan confectioner's sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Caramel Filling
- 2 tablespoons vegan butter, melted
- 1/2 cup SunButter (organic or natural)
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Chocolate Layer
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- pinch of Himalayan sea salt (optional topping)
Instructions
Shortbread Crust:
- Preheat oven to 350°. Line an 9x4 loaf pan with foil, leaving overhang and lightly spray with non-stick spray. Set aside.
- Combine all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl, cutting in the butter until crumbly mixture forms. Transfer to prepared baking pan and press down with your fingertips to form an even, flat layer. Poke dough about a dozen times in different spots with fork then bake. Bake 12-15 minutes or until crust has lightly set and golden (but not brown).
SunButter Caramel:
- Melt butter in a medium sized microwave-safe bowl for 1 minute. Add SunButter, syrup, vanilla & salt then stir until smooth. Spread evenly over crust taking time to cover completely.
Chocolate Layer:
- Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and stir until smooth. Pour chocolate over caramel layer and smooth with offset spatula. Sprinkle with a small amount of sea salt for an extra explosion of flavor.
- Cover pan with foil then refrigerate (2 hrs) or freeze (30 min) until set before lifting out foil and slicing into bite-sized bars. Keep in fridge up to 10 days or freeze up to 3 months.
Notes
Don't have time to make each step? ย Top off shortbread with "safe" jarred caramel topping. Melt vegan chocolate chips with a ย tsp. of coconut oil, stir well then add as your final top layer. ย Refrigerate as instructed.ย
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That look fun! What a decadent little treat!
These look delightful! I love the balance of the chocolate and caramel against the texture of the shortbread!
These look so cool! I think I’d probably eat the whole pan!
There is no shame in that ๐
I am DEFINITELY making these! They look amazing and I know my boys will love them! Thanks for the recipe!
Of course Elizabeth. Stop back after your boys have tried it and let me know what they thought. My kiddos all loved it
I love twix (well, I did before going gf). This look incredible!
Thanks Chrystal! Glad it’s a treat you can have as well.
This is amazing! I used to love Twix. I’m so glad yours are GF!
Best of all, you wouldn’t know these were gluten-free.
Twix are, or rather, were, my all time favorite treat, before allergies. Love this healthier version!
I know what you mean. Allergies changed things for us as well, but it also made us revamp our eating and I’m loving that change.
Yum, I love the decadent photography AND recipe!
Thank you friend :).
So creative to use Sunbutter in these better-for-you Twix bars. Great tips on shortcuts. Lovely pictures as always Nicole!
Thank you so much! Hopefully the tips will make it even easier if under a time crunch.
If these aren’t amazing I don’t know what its! I am a huge sunbutter fan and any chance to use it I’m all over! I haven’t had a twix bar in years, so I’m really looking forward to trying these!
SunButter is the best for sure! And these bars are gluten-free too, so feel free to eat a few
Allergy friendly Twix bars are a must… These look outstanding!
Thanks Laura! We must have been having the same craving, just saw your Twix Brownies. Yum
Twix is definitely a childhood fave of mine! Looks so good!
Mine too! I just love the crunchy bottom, gooey middle then chocolate! How could you not just love that?
These look SO amazing!! I can’t wait to try them ๐
Thanks Lauren! I’d love for you to stop back and let me know what you all think
I could eat a whole pan of these. Twix are my FAV.
Oh, it’s been hard to stay away, that’s for sure! At least you can always say you are eating for 2 ๐
These look fantastic! I used to love Twix bars. Thanks for the great recipe.
You’re welcome Linda. I loved them too, so I just had to make a vegan version.
Serious Sunbutter for the win! I love that you used it to make the caramel – positively genius! Everything about these bars is calling my name.
I love that I can use SunButter for so many things, other than as a spread. It’s been a life changer for us and these bars, you’ll LOVE them
YUMMY!!! Twix bars used to be my favorite! that crunch, gooey center, and chocolate. These look really good! Love that they are also GF!
Very Interesting recipe! loved the addition of sun butter:)
Thanks Uma. You can always use a date based caramel too, I just love the extra protein and SunButter.
Is there another ingredient I could use in this recipe besides the cornstarch? My daughter is allergic to corn
Thank you!!
Arrowroot or Tapioca Starch is a good substitute for corn starch in this recipe.
Your homemade Twix bars look incredible!! I’m a sucker for allergy friendly candy bars, these look perfect ๐
They are most requested treat in our home! Hope you try it soon.
OMG Twix Bars used to be my favorite! I can’t wait to try this recipe ๐
You are tempting me with these way too early in the day Nicole! I bet these are amazing with tea – need to try the recipe soon!
Is there a good substitute for the coconut oil in the chocolate? We have nut sensitive colleague who stays away from coconut, but I’d love to try these out!
Any neutral oil such as vegetable or shortening would work in it’s place.
Could the shortbread crust have egg added in? My son has an egg allergy, but can now have baked egg products, so I try to add them in wherever I can.
Some shortbread recipes use 2 egg yolks in the ingredients. You could always try a recipe like this one and then finish it off with the rest of the twix ingredients.