Healthy Homemade Twix Bars Recipe
These healthy Twix bars are a delicious homemade treat featuring a buttery almond flour shortbread base, creamy peanut butter caramel layer, and a rich chocolate coating. Sweetened naturally with maple syrup and made with wholesome ingredients, they offer a satisfying dessert without refined sugars or additives.
- Author: Rico
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 12 mins
- Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Shortbread Base
- 1 1/2 cups Almond Flour
- 3 tbsp Butter (melted)
- 1 1/2 tbsp Maple Syrup
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1/4 tsp Salt
Caramel Filling
- 1 cup Creamy Peanut Butter
- 1/3 cup Maple Syrup
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1/4 cup Almond Flour
Chocolate Coating
- 1 cup Chocolate Chips
- 1 1/2 tbsp Coconut Oil
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, making sure the edges are well covered to allow easy removal of the shortbread after baking.
- Prepare Shortbread Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine almond flour, melted butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir until fully mixed to form a dough. Press this dough firmly and evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn golden brown. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.
- Make Caramel Filling: In a medium bowl, mix the creamy peanut butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and almond flour until smooth and well combined. Once the shortbread is cooled, spread this caramel mixture evenly over it. Place the pan in the freezer for at least 1 hour to allow the caramel layer to set firmly.
- Prepare Chocolate Coating: Melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil together by placing the bowl over simmering water or using the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between, until smooth and fully melted.
- Assemble Bars: Remove the pan from the freezer. Lift the set block out using the parchment paper and place it on a cutting board. Slice into 16 bars by cutting in half, then slicing each half into 8 even bars.
- Coat Bars in Chocolate: Dip each bar into the melted chocolate, fully covering it. Tap off excess chocolate gently and place bars onto a parchment-lined tray. Repeat for all bars.
- Final Touch: Optionally, drizzle any remaining melted chocolate over the bars and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Return the tray to the freezer for about 10 minutes until the chocolate hardens.
- Serve and Store: Enjoy your healthy homemade Twix bars. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer to keep fresh.
Notes
- Ensure the shortbread base is fully cooled before adding the caramel layer to prevent blending of layers.
- Using parchment paper with overhanging edges makes it easier to lift the bars out after freezing.
- For easier chocolate coating, keep the chocolate melted and warm but not too hot to avoid melting the caramel layer.
- If you prefer a nut-free version, substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter, but note the taste and texture difference.
- Store bars in the refrigerator for up to one week or in the freezer for up to one month.
Keywords: healthy twix bars, paleo twix bars, homemade twix, almond flour shortbread, peanut butter caramel, chocolate coated bars, gluten free dessert