The smell of warm butter and caramel filled the kitchen, sweet and rich. I could hear the chocolate melting in the microwave, that soft bubbling sound that means something good is about to happen. William peeked around the corner, his eyes wide. “Are those the candy bar cookies?”
These Twix cookies bring all the magic of your favorite candy bar right into your own kitchen. Buttery shortbread, gooey caramel, and silky chocolate come together in a treat that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
What Makes These Twix cookies Special
There’s something about recreating a beloved candy at home that just feels right. These homemade Twix cookies start with a tender shortbread base that melts on your tongue, then get topped with smooth caramel and a glossy chocolate layer. They’re like little bites of nostalgia, but somehow even better.
The buttery shortbread base is what really makes these shine. It’s crisp around the edges but stays soft in the middle, and it doesn’t spread or puff up like regular Twix cookies. The caramel sits right on top, sticky and sweet, and then comes that chocolate layer that cracks just a little when you bite in.
I love that you can make a big batch and keep them around for when you need something sweet. They look fancy enough for guests but they’re actually pretty simple to put together. If you’re looking for more easy cookie ideas, you’ll also love this Healthy Homemade Butter Cookies Recipe for a lighter option.
Jump to:
Twix cookies Ingredients
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities
Here’s what goes into these chocolate-covered shortbread cookies:
For the Shortbread Base:
- 1 ½ cups butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Caramel Layer:
- 11 ounces caramels
- 1 tablespoon evaporated milk or cream
For the Chocolate Topping:
- 2 teaspoons shortening
- 2 cups milk chocolate chips
How to Make Twix Cookies
Let me walk you through making these homemade caramel Twix cookies. It’s easier than it looks, I promise.
Make the Shortbread: Start by heating your oven to 350°F and lining a sheet pan with parchment paper or a nonstick mat. In your mixer bowl, beat the softened butter until it’s light and fluffy, a couple minutes should do it. Add the powdered sugar and beat until everything’s well combined and smooth.
Mix in the vanilla extract, flour, and salt until the dough comes together. It should be soft but not sticky. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and pop it in the freezer for about 20 minutes. This makes it easier to roll out.
Cut and Bake: Lightly flour your work surface and roll the chilled dough out to about ½ inch thick. Use a round cookie cutter, somewhere between 2 and 3 inches, to cut out your cookies. Place them about an inch apart on your prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 12 to 13 minutes, just until the edges turn a light golden brown. Don’t overbake them or they’ll get too hard. Let them cool completely on a wire rack. This is important because if they’re warm, the caramel will just slide right off.


Add the Caramel: Combine the caramels and evaporated milk in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat them in 45-second bursts, stirring between each one, until the caramel is fully melted and smooth. It should look glossy and pourable. Spoon a dollop onto each cooled cookie and use the back of your spoon to spread it evenly. Let them sit for about 20 minutes so the caramel can firm up a bit.


Top with Chocolate: In another microwave-safe bowl, combine the milk chocolate chips and shortening. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring each time, until everything’s melted and smooth. The shortening helps the chocolate set up nice and shiny. Spoon the melted chocolate over the caramel layer and spread it evenly.
Let the cookies sit until the chocolate hardens completely. This might take an hour or so, depending on how warm your kitchen is. If you’re impatient like me, you can stick them in the fridge for about 15 minutes.


These caramel and chocolate topped cookies keep well in an airtight container for up to 5 days. If they last that long.
Simple Swaps and Substitutions
Sometimes you don’t have exactly what a recipe calls for, and that’s okay. Here are some ways to work with what you’ve got.
For the shortbread cookie with caramel and chocolate, you can use regular granulated sugar instead of powdered if you need to. Just blend it in a food processor first to make it finer. The texture will be almost the same.
If you don’t have evaporated milk, regular heavy cream works just fine for melting the caramels. You could even use half-and-half in a pinch. The caramel might be slightly softer, but it’ll still taste great.
For the chocolate, you can use dark chocolate chips if you prefer less sweetness. Semi-sweet works too. The shortening helps the chocolate set up with a nice shine, but if you don’t have it, you can skip it. The chocolate might not be quite as glossy, but it’ll still taste delicious.
Some people like using The Best No-Bake Oreo Dirt Cake Recipe for parties alongside these cookies. They both have that fun, nostalgic feel.
Twix cookies Variations
William loves helping me make these, and there are lots of ways kids can get involved. They can help measure ingredients, press the dough scraps together for re-rolling, or use the cookie cutter. My favorite part is letting them spread the caramel and chocolate, even if it gets a little messy.
If you’re making these with really little ones, you might want to use mini chocolate chips in the topping so it melts faster and easier. You can also make the Twix cookies smaller, using a 1-inch cutter for bite-sized treats that are perfect for small hands.
Kids usually prefer milk chocolate, so I stick with that. But if you’ve got older kids who like things less sweet, you can mix in some dark chocolate chips with the milk chocolate. Half and half works really well.
Equipment For Twix cookies
You don’t need anything fancy for these milk chocolate shortbread cookies:
- Stand mixer or hand mixer
- Parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat
- Plastic wrap
- Rolling pin
- 2 or 3-inch round cookie cutter
- Microwave-safe bowls
- Spoon
- Wire rack
Storage Tips
These Twix cookies stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. I like to layer them between sheets of parchment paper so they don’t stick together. The chocolate stays nice and firm, and the caramel doesn’t get too soft.
You can freeze them too. Just make sure they’re completely set first, then freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once they’re frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 3 months. Let them thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before eating.
If you’re making them ahead for a party or cookie exchange, they actually taste better the next day. The flavors have time to settle and meld together. Just keep them covered so they stay fresh.
Top Tip
The trick to getting that perfect caramel layer is making sure your Twix cookies are completely cool before you add it. I learned this the hard way when I got impatient once and the caramel just melted right into the cookie. It still tasted good, but it didn’t have those distinct layers.
Also, don’t skip the shortening in the chocolate. I know it seems like an extra ingredient you don’t need, but it really does make a difference. The chocolate sets up smoother and shinier, and it’s easier to spread evenly. Trust me on this one.
If your caramel seems too thick to spread, you can pop it back in the microwave for just 10 seconds. That’ll loosen it right up. And if your chocolate starts to harden before you’ve finished spreading it on all the Twix cookies, same thing. A quick zap will fix it.


How to Serve These Twix cookies
These Twix cookies are perfect with a cold glass of milk. There’s something about that combination that just works. The milk cuts through the sweetness and makes each bite feel balanced.
I also love serving them with hot coffee in the afternoon. The warmth of the coffee brings out the caramel flavor even more. Sometimes I’ll put out a plate of these alongside some Easy Homemade Snowball Cookies Recipe when we have people over. The variety is nice.
For parties, stack them on a pretty plate or in a glass jar. They look really beautiful and people always get excited when they see them. You can also wrap individual cookies in cellophane and tie them with ribbon for sweet little gifts.
On movie nights, we’ll make a batch and everyone just grabs them straight from the container. They’re sturdy enough that they don’t fall apart, which makes them perfect for eating on the couch.
FAQ
What are some fun facts about Twix cookies?
Twix Cookies was first made in the UK in 1967 and came to the US in 1979. The name might come from “twin sticks” since it has two bars in a pack. My kids think the whole left versus right Twix campaign is hilarious.
What is the cookie inside Twix?
The cookie layer in a real Twix bar is a shortbread cookie. That’s why these homemade versions use a buttery shortbread base, it’s the closest thing to the original. The shortbread stays crisp even under all that caramel and chocolate.
How long does Twix chocolate last?
Store-bought Twix bars can last several months if stored properly. These homemade cookies will stay fresh for about 5 days at room temperature or up to 3 months in the freezer. The chocolate layer stays firm and delicious the whole time.
What does left and right mean on Twix?
It’s just a fun marketing campaign that started a few years ago. The company pretends there are two different factories making slightly different versions, but they’re exactly the same. It’s become this silly thing people joke about. William always insists he likes left Twix better, just to be funny.
You’ve Got This Twix cookies
Making these easy Twix cookie recipe treats at home is honestly so much more fun than just buying the candy bars. There’s something really satisfying about building those layers yourself and watching them come together.
Don’t worry if your first batch isn’t perfect. Maybe the caramel spreads a little unevenly or the chocolate has a few swirls in it. That’s what makes them homemade and special. They’ll still taste amazing, and everyone will be impressed that you made them yourself.
The hardest part is waiting for everything to set before you can eat them. But trust me, it’s worth the wait. That first bite, when you get the buttery cookie, the chewy caramel, and the smooth chocolate all at once? Pure happiness.
So grab your ingredients and give these a try. Your kitchen will smell incredible, and you’ll have a batch of cookies that taste like childhood memories mixed with something even better.
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Twix cookies


Twix Cookies
Delicious, indulgent Twix Cookies that taste even better than the beloved candy bar!
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
-
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat.
-
Place the butter in a large mixing bowl and beat until light and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar and continue to beat until fully combined.
-
Add the vanilla extract, flour, and salt to the bowl. Mix everything until just combined.
-
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the freezer for 20 minutes.
-
Once chilled, flour your work surface and roll the dough out to a ½-inch thickness.
-
Use a 2- to 3-inch round cookie cutter to cut out the cookies, placing them 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet.
-
Bake the cookies for 12-13 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Repeat with remaining dough.
-
Allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack.
-
In a microwave-safe bowl, place the caramels and evaporated milk. Heat in 45-second intervals, stirring in between, until the caramels are completely melted and smooth.
-
Spoon a generous amount of melted caramel onto each cookie, using the back of the spoon to spread it evenly to the edges.
-
Allow the caramel to set for about 20 minutes before proceeding.
-
In a separate bowl, combine the milk chocolate chips and shortening. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring until completely melted and smooth.
-
Spoon a dollop of melted chocolate over each cookie and spread it over the caramel layer.
-
Let the cookies sit until the chocolate has fully hardened, then serve or store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
Notes
These cookies are a decadent treat, combining the buttery crunch of shortbread, smooth caramel, and creamy chocolate.