Homemade Twix Bars (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
User Reviews
4.4
54 reviews
Good
Homemade Twix Bars (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
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Homemade Twix Bars recreate the layered cookie, caramel, and chocolate treat using vegan and gluten-free ingredients. The base is a thin almond flour and tapioca starch cookie baked until firm and golden. A caramel layer made from soaked Medjool dates, vanilla, salt, and coconut oil is spread on the cookie base. Finally, a chocolate coating of melted semisweet vegan chocolate chips and coconut oil covers the bars, setting a firm finish.
Description
These Homemade Twix Bars start with a cookie layer combining almond flour, tapioca starch, baking soda, salt, melted refined coconut oil, maple syrup, and water. The dough is pressed thinly into a baking dish and baked at 350°F until the edges are golden and the center is firm but pale. This cookie base sets the stage for the candy bar texture.
The caramel layer is made by soaking large Medjool dates in boiling water until soft, then blending them with vanilla extract, sea salt, and melted coconut oil to form a soft, spreadable caramel. Once the cookie has baked and cooled slightly, the caramel is layered evenly on top.
The final chocolate coating is created by melting semisweet vegan chocolate chips with refined coconut oil then pouring it over the caramel-coated cookie. After setting, the bars can be sliced into portions that closely mimic Twix bars but with plant-based and gluten-free components.
Using refined coconut oil keeps flavor neutral, and vegan butter may be a substitute though untested. The recipe notes nutritional estimations.
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Ingredients
COOKIE LAYER
- 1 cup almond flour
- 2/3 cup tapioca starch
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt sea salt
- 1/4 cup refined coconut oil melted
- 2 Tbsp maple syrup
- 1 Tbsp water
CARAMEL LAYER
- 15 large dates (we used medjool // ~1 ⅓ cups or 270 g as recipe is written), pitted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4-1/2 tsp salt sea salt
- 1 Tbsp refined coconut oil melted
CHOCOLATE COATING
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips ~1 bag // we like Enjoy Life brand, vegan
- 2 ½ tsp refined coconut oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F (176 C) and line an 8 x 8-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- Remove pits from dates (if not already pitted), and place in a small mixing bowl. Pour boiling water over the dates until they are just covered. Set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine almond flour, tapioca starch, baking soda, and salt. Whisk to fully combine. Add in melted refined coconut oil, the maple syrup, and water. Stir until a dough forms. It should come together easily, look like cookie dough, and hold together when squeezed. If too dry, add a tiny bit of water. If too wet, add more almond flour a little at a time.
- Transfer dough to your parchment-lined baking dish and press into an even layer. It might seem like too little dough, but stick with it! You want it to be thin and even. Bake dough in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until the edges begin to turn golden and the center of the dough is pale and firm to the touch.
- While the dough is baking, make your caramel. Pour out the water to drain the dates and place your soaked dates in a food processor. Pulse a few times to break up the dates slightly. Add vanilla, sea salt, and melted coconut oil, and turn the food processor on. If all the ingredients are stuck to the sides, scrape them down and continue processing. It will be very thick and sticky but should also be spreadable and smooth. If your date caramel is too thick, you can add water 1 tsp at a time. Keep in mind you don’t want it too thin or it will be too runny and difficult to work with.
- Remove your cookie layer from the oven and let cool for about 10 minutes. While the cookie layer is still slightly warm, scrape your date caramel directly onto your cookie layer and spread it evenly into all corners of the baking dish. Then, using the parchment paper, carefully lift and slide the bars onto the counter. Be delicate! Slide the bars onto a cutting board.
- With your bars securely on the cutting board, cut your 8 x 8-inch Twix square in half. Then cut each half into 10 even bars, each about 3/4-inch wide.
- In the meantime, add 1 inch water to a small saucepan and bring to a low boil over medium heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to low / simmer. Add the chocolate chips and coconut oil to a small glass or metal bowl. Carefully place the bowl on top of the saucepan with simmering water. Heat, stirring occasionally with a spatula or spoon, until melted and no lumps remain (~5 minutes). You can also melt the chocolate and coconut oil in a heat-proof bowl in the microwave in 20-second increments until melted. Remove chocolate from heat.
- Carefully place your Twix bars onto a cooling rack and place the cooling rack over a sheet tray or some parchment paper to catch drips from the chocolate. Using a spoon, carefully scoop a heaping tablespoon of melted chocolate and pour it onto each bar individually. With the back of the spoon, spread the chocolate and encourage it to go down the sides of the bar. Add more chocolate in the spots that need it, and tap the cooling rack on the counter to help the chocolate smooth out. When all the bars are covered in chocolate, transfer them to a plate and place in the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes to set the chocolate.
- Enjoy! Leftovers are best kept at room temperature for 3-4 days. Or store in the freezer up to 1 month. Let them come to room temperature before enjoying.
Notes
- Refined coconut oil is recommended for a neutral flavor; unrefined may impart a coconut taste.
- Vegan butter could substitute for coconut oil in the recipe though it has not been tested.
- Nutrition information is an estimate based on ingredients used.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Serving
1Twix bar
Calories
230
(12%)
Carbohydrates
29.4g
(10%)
Protein
2.7g
(5%)
Fat
12.8g
(20%)
Saturated Fat
7.1g
(36%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.8g
(5%)
Monounsaturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Trans Fat
0g
(0%)
Cholesterol
0mg
(0%)
Sodium
76mg
(3%)
Potassium
169mg
(4%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
21g
(42%)
Vitamin A
4.2IU
(0%)
Vitamin C
0mg
(0%)
Calcium
51.3mg
(5%)
Iron
1.7mg
(9%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 20(Twix bars)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 230 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1Twix bar | |
| Calories | 230 | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 29.4g | 10% |
| Protein | 2.7g | 5% |
| Fat | 12.8g | 20% |
| Saturated Fat | 7.1g | 36% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.8g | 5% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Trans Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 76mg | 3% |
| Potassium | 169mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 21g | 42% |
| Vitamin A | 4.2IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 0mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 51.3mg | 5% |
| Iron | 1.7mg | 9% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.4
54 reviews
Good
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