Introduction
Have you ever wondered why the combination of buttery shortbread, gooey caramel, and smooth chocolate feels like a warm hug for your taste buds? It is a question my daughter Jana asked me last Tuesday while we were browsing the candy aisle. That curiosity led us straight to the kitchen to develop the best homemade Twix cookie recipe that would satisfy even the pickiest snackers. Growing up in Texas, my grandmother always said that the secret to a happy home was a full cookie jar, and these Twix-Style Cookies certainly do the trick. The smell of buttery shortbread baking in the oven always takes me back to her kitchen, where time seemed to slow down and the only thing that mattered was the next tray coming out of the heat. Today, my wife Emily and I use these baking sessions to catch up with Adams and Jana, turning a simple Crumbl Twix cookies copycat project into a full afternoon of family bonding. Grab your apron! We are about to make some magic happen with this easy Twix inspired cookie recipe that creates soft Twix cookies with caramel filling right in your own home.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Twix-Style Cookies
- Ingredients for Twix-Style Cookies
- How to Make Twix-Style Cookies
- Pro Tips & Variations
- Twix-Style Cookies Serving Suggestions
- Twix-Style Cookies Storage & Reheating
- FAQ about Twix-Style Cookies
- Final Thoughts
Why You’ll Love This Twix-Style Cookies
There is something truly special about copycat Twix cookies that store-bought candy bars just cannot replicate. First and foremost, these are soft sugar cookie hybrids with a shortbread cookie base, giving you that iconic crunch followed by a melt in your mouth finish. Unlike the thin wafers found in the packaging, these homemade candy bar cookies are thick, hearty, and packed with love. If you are a fan of the famous strawberry cheesecake cookies recipe we made last month, you will appreciate the textural layers here.
- Kid Approved: Adams, who is 12 and usually hard to impress, says these are better than the Twix bar cookies copycat treats he sees on social media. It is a fantastic way to get the kids involved in the kitchen.
- Better than Bakery Quality: By using a no-chill Twix cookie dough, you get these on the table faster than you could drive to a gourmet cookie shop for a copycat Crumbl cookies fix.
- Customizable Sweetness: You control the creamy caramel and the type of milk chocolate used. Whether you want caramel shortbread Twix cookie bars or round Twix cookies, this recipe is flexible.
- Perfect for Gifting: Much like my buttery pecan snowballs recipe, these travel well and look stunning on a dessert platter.
- Kitchen Therapy: There is a rhythmic peace in smoothing a caramel layer over buttery shortbread and then drizzling melted chocolate over the top. It is the ultimate stress reliever for a busy parent.
Ingredients for Twix-Style Cookies
To create these caramel chocolate cookies, we need simple, high-quality ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. Using unsalted butter is crucial so you can control the salt levels, especially if you plan on making salted caramel chocolate shortbread later. I always tell Emily that Ghirardelli chocolate morsels make a world of difference when you want that professional finish.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation for our shortbread cookies with caramel.
- Unsalted butter: Softened to room temperature for that perfect buttery cookie base.
- Granulated sugar and Powdered sugar: A mix provides the best texture for a soft cookie recipe.
- Vanilla extract: Always use pure vanilla for the best aromatic experience.
- Caramel: You can use unwrapped caramels or Kraft caramel bits mixed with a splash of heavy whipping cream.
- Milk chocolate chips: For that classic candy bar inspired taste.
- Shortening: Just a teaspoon helps the chocolate melt smoothly and gives it a nice sheen.
How to Make Twix-Style Cookies
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep the Oven and Pans: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. This is a step I always let Jana handle. It ensures our homemade Twix cookies with milk chocolate do not stick and makes cleanup a breeze.
- Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy. You want it to look like pale clouds. This aeration is the secret to how to make Twix cookies at home that stay soft for days.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Slowly mix in the flour and vanilla. The dough will be thick and smell like a dream. If you have ever made cranberry orange shortbread cookies, you will recognize this sturdy consistency.
- Shape and Bake: Scoop about two tablespoons of dough and roll them into balls. Place them on the sheet and use your thumb or a small measuring spoon to create a well in the center. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. They should be just barely golden on the edges. Let these shortbread cookie base rounds cool completely.
- The Caramel Layer: While the cookies cool, melt your unwrapped caramels with the heavy cream in the microwave in 30 second bursts. Stir until it is a creamy caramel silk. Spoon a generous amount into the center of each cookie.
- Chocolate Topping: Melt the chocolate chips with a tiny bit of shortening. Once smooth, spread or drizzle the chocolate over the caramel. This creates the chocolate-covered caramel cookies look that everyone loves.
- Set and Serve: Let the chocolate firm up at room temperature. If you are impatient like Adams, you can pop them in the fridge for ten minutes.
Pro Tips & Variations
While the standard Twix cookies recipe is a classic, I love experimenting. For instance, according to the experts at Cooking With Karli, getting the caramel consistency right is the most important part of the process. If it is too thin, it will run off. If it is too thick, it will be hard to bite.
- Salted Caramel Twist: Sprinkle a touch of sea salt on top of the wet chocolate to create salted caramel chocolate shortbread. It balances the sugar beautifully.
- Toffee Crunch: Mix some toffee bits into the shortbread dough for a toffee bit cookies with chocolate variation. It adds a delightful surprise texture.
- Millionaire Style: If you prefer bars, press the dough into a 9×13 pan and layer the caramel and chocolate on top to make millionaire shortbread cookies or millionaire bars. This is a great tip shared by Shugary Sweets for those who want a denser treat.
- Gluten-Free: You can easily swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. The buttery shortbread with caramel layer still tastes incredible.
- Dark Chocolate: For a more sophisticated palate, try using dark chocolate melting wafers instead of milk chocolate chips.
Twix-Style Cookies Serving Suggestions
Serving these Twix-Style Cookies is my favorite part of the weekend. We usually set out a big platter on the coffee table while we play board games. These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk for the kids or a hot cup of coffee for the adults. If you are feeling extra fancy, these are a hit on a valentines sweets charcuterie board recipe.
For a themed party, I like to serve these alongside other easy candy bar recipes like my easy biscoff truffles recipe. The combination of different textures and flavors makes for a dessert table that people will talk about for weeks. You can even crumble one of these over a bowl of vanilla bean ice cream for an instant caramel cookie bar recipe sundae.
Twix-Style Cookies Storage & Reheating
Storage is simple, though in our house, they rarely last long enough to worry about it! These homemade caramel cookies should be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. If your kitchen is particularly warm, the milk chocolate might soften, so the refrigerator is a safe bet.
If you want to freeze them, place the finished cookies in a single layer on a tray until frozen solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. They will stay fresh for up to three months. When you are ready for a treat, just let them thaw on the counter. I find that a 5 second zap in the microwave makes the creamy caramel just a little bit gooey again, which is how Emily likes them.
FAQ about Twix-Style Cookies
Can I make these without chilling the dough? Yes! This is a no-chill Twix cookie dough recipe. Because of the high butter content and the specific ratio of sugars, the cookies hold their shape perfectly without hours of waiting in the fridge.
How do I stop the caramel from being too sticky? The secret is the heavy whipping cream. It softens the candy caramels just enough so they are chewy but wont pull your teeth out. It creates that millionaire shortbread texture we all crave.
What is the best chocolate for the topping? I recommend a high quality milk chocolate like Ghirardelli or Guittard. If you use cheap chips, they may not melt as smoothly, and you wont get that signature copycat crumbl cookies finish.
Final Thoughts
Cooking is a journey, and every Twix cookie we bake is a small milestone in our family story. Whether it is Adams helping me measure the flour or Jana “testing” the caramel to make sure it is just right, these moments are what stay with us long after the crumbs are gone. Thank you for letting me share a piece of my kitchen with you. If you make these, please leave a comment below or tag me on social media. I would love to see your Twix-Style Cookies! Do not forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more candy bar inspired cookies and family favorites. Happy baking!
Twix-Style Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Mix in the vanilla extract and gradually add the flour until a thick dough forms.
- Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough, roll into balls, place on prepared sheets, and use your thumb to create a well in the center of each. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are just barely golden. Cool completely.
- In the microwave, melt the unwrapped caramels with heavy cream in 30-second bursts, stirring until smooth and creamy.
- Spoon the caramel into the center well of each cooled cookie.
- Melt the milk chocolate chips and shortening together until smooth.
- Spread or drizzle the melted chocolate over the caramel layer.
- Let the chocolate set at room temperature or chill for 10 minutes. Serve and enjoy.
