Best Twix Cookies Chewy Caramel Chocolate Buttery Shortbread: A Homemade Dream
Key Ingredients for Best Twix Cookies Chewy Caramel Chocolate Buttery Shortbread
Here’s what you’ll need to create these irresistible Best Twix Cookies Chewy Caramel Chocolate Buttery Shortbread:
For the Shortbread Base:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Chewy Caramel Layer:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
For the Chocolate Topping:
- 1.5 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (or milk chocolate chips for a sweeter version)
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil (optional, for a smoother, glossier finish)
How to Make Best Twix Cookies Chewy Caramel Chocolate Buttery Shortbread
Whipping up these Best Twix Cookies Chewy Caramel Chocolate Buttery Shortbread is a delightful journey into sweet, buttery perfection. This recipe is surprisingly simple, promising a deeply satisfying treat with layers of delightful texture and flavor. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to recreate the beloved candy bar experience in cookie form. Expect to spend approximately 30 minutes of active preparation time, plus baking and cooling, for a truly rewarding cookie experience.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making the Buttery Shortbread Base:
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease and line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This typically takes about 3-4 minutes with an electric mixer.
- Add Vanilla: Beat in the vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt.
- Incorporate Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. The dough will be crumbly.
- Press into Pan: Dump the dough into the prepared baking pan. Using your hands or the bottom of a measuring cup, firmly press the dough evenly into the bottom of the pan to form a compact base. Ensure there are no gaps.
- Bake the Shortbread: Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. The center should still be pale.
- Cool Slightly: Remove from the oven and let the shortbread cool in the pan for about 15 minutes before proceeding to the caramel layer.
Crafting the Chewy Caramel Layer:
- Melt Butter and Brown Sugar: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the packed light brown sugar and stir until the sugar is mostly dissolved.
- Add Corn Syrup and Condensed Milk: Stir in the light corn syrup and the sweetened condensed milk. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly.
- Boil and Thicken: Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to cook, stirring frequently, for about 8-10 minutes, or until the caramel has thickened and reached a light amber color. Be patient; this step is crucial for obtaining the perfect chewy texture.
- Add Flavor and Salt: Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
- Pour Caramel Over Shortbread: Carefully pour the hot caramel evenly over the slightly cooled shortbread base.
- Spread and Chill: Gently spread the caramel to the edges. Return the pan to the refrigerator and let it chill for at least 1-2 hours, or until the caramel is firm.
Adding the Delicious Chocolate Topping:
- Melt Chocolate: Once the caramel is firm, place the semi-sweet chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Add the coconut oil, if using.
- Microwave in Intervals: Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each interval, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
- Spread Chocolate: Pour the melted chocolate over the chilled caramel layer. Using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon, spread the chocolate evenly to the edges, ensuring complete coverage.
- Chill to Set: Return the pan to the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or until the chocolate is completely set.
Cutting and Enjoying:
- Remove from Pan: Once the chocolate is set, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire slab out of the baking pan.
- Slice into Bars: Place the slab on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut it into your desired bar shapes. You can make them larger like candy bars or smaller like bite-sized cookies. For cleaner cuts, you can warm your knife slightly in hot water.
- Serve and Savor: Arrange your Best Twix Cookies Chewy Caramel Chocolate Buttery Shortbread on a platter and enjoy!
Why You’ll Love This Best Twix Cookies Chewy Caramel Chocolate Buttery Shortbread
You’ll absolutely adore these Best Twix Cookies Chewy Caramel Chocolate Buttery Shortbread for their incredible texture and taste. The luscious, chewy caramel, buttery shortbread, and rich chocolate topping create a symphony of flavors that is simply irresistible. Making them at home is a fantastic cost-saving option compared to purchasing pre-made treats, allowing you to enjoy this gourmet experience without breaking the bank. The perfectly balanced sweetness and the satisfying crunch of the shortbread, followed by the gooey caramel, makes them a standout amongst homemade cookies, even rivaling their candy bar inspiration.
These aren’t just cookies; they’re an experience. Imagine biting into that perfect harmony of textures and flavors – it’s a delightful treat that will impress family and friends alike. Unlike many other chocolatey cookies that can be one-dimensional, these Best Twix Cookies Chewy Caramel Chocolate Buttery Shortbread offer layers of complexity that truly shine. So, gather your ingredients, embrace your inner baker, and whip up a batch of these delightful cookies today. They’re calling your name!
Storing and Reheating Tips
These Best Twix Cookies Chewy Caramel Chocolate Buttery Shortbread are best stored at room temperature for a few days.
- Room Temperature Storage: Once completely cooled and set, store the cookies in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days. You can place parchment paper between layers of cookies to prevent them from sticking together.
- Refrigeration (Optional): If your kitchen is very warm or you prefer a firmer caramel, you can store them in the refrigerator. However, this might slightly harden the caramel. They will keep for up to a week in the fridge.
- Freezing: For longer storage, these cookies freeze beautifully. Cut them into individual bars or squares. Wrap each bar tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheating: If refrigerating or freezing, allow the cookies to come to room temperature for about 20-30 minutes before enjoying. If you desire a slightly softer caramel, you can briefly warm them in a microwave on very low power for 5-10 seconds, or in a toaster oven at a low temperature for a minute or two, but be careful not to melt the chocolate.
Final Thoughts
These Best Twix Cookies Chewy Caramel Chocolate Buttery Shortbread are a delightful combination of textures and flavors that are sure to become a favorite. Give them a try for a heartwarming homemade treat that’s worth every delicious bite.
Best Twix Cookies Chewy Caramel Chocolate Buttery Shortbread
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease and line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This typically takes about 3-4 minutes with an electric mixer.1 cup unsalted butter, softened, 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- Beat in the vanilla extract until well combined.1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt.2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. The dough will be crumbly.2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 cup unsalted butter, softened, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Dump the dough into the prepared baking pan. Using your hands or the bottom of a measuring cup, firmly press the dough evenly into the bottom of the pan to form a compact base. Ensure there are no gaps.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. The center should still be pale.
- Remove from the oven and let the shortbread cool in the pan for about 15 minutes before proceeding to the caramel layer.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the packed light brown sugar and stir until the sugar is mostly dissolved.1 cup unsalted butter, 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- Stir in the light corn syrup and the sweetened condensed milk. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly.1/2 cup light corn syrup, 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to cook, stirring frequently, for about 8-10 minutes, or until the caramel has thickened and reached a light amber color. Be patient; this step is crucial for obtaining the perfect chewy texture.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.1 teaspoon vanilla extract, pinch salt
- Carefully pour the hot caramel evenly over the slightly cooled shortbread base.
- Gently spread the caramel to the edges. Return the pan to the refrigerator and let it chill for at least 1-2 hours, or until the caramel is firm.
- Once the caramel is firm, place the semi-sweet chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Add the coconut oil, if using.1.5 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each interval, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
- Pour the melted chocolate over the chilled caramel layer. Using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon, spread the chocolate evenly to the edges, ensuring complete coverage.
- Return the pan to the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or until the chocolate is completely set.
- Once the chocolate is set, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire slab out of the baking pan.
- Place the slab on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut it into your desired bar shapes. You can make them larger like candy bars or smaller like bite-sized cookies. For cleaner cuts, you can warm your knife slightly in hot water.
- Arrange your Best Twix Cookies Chewy Caramel Chocolate Buttery Shortbread on a platter and enjoy!