These Twix Cookies are everything you love about the classic candy bar, only better because you made them yourself. Every bite hits that perfect sweet spot where buttery cookie meets melt-in-your-mouth caramel and rich milk chocolate. They're simple enough for a weeknight baking session and impressive enough to bring to any gathering.
I started making these after my daughter spotted a Twix bar in the checkout line and asked if we could "make that at home." That was over two years ago, and honestly, we haven't stopped since. The best part? You only need basic pantry staples and about an hour and a half from start to finish. If you love easy layered cookie recipes, you'll also want to check out these Strawberry Shortcake Truffles, this dreamy Strawberry Chocolate Cake, and this crowd-favorite Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake. And for more bite-sized treats, don't skip these Red Velvet Cheesecake Balls or this gorgeous Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Only three layers, three components. Cookie, caramel, chocolate. That's it.
- No special candy-making skills needed. The caramel is just melted Kraft bits with a splash of milk.
- Great for gifting. These Twix Cookies stack beautifully in a tin or cookie box.
- Kid-approved every time. The candy bar format means even picky eaters are immediately on board.
- Easy to prep ahead. The dough chills in the fridge, so you can make it the night before.
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Ingredients for Twix Cookies
Here's a quick look at what goes into these layered chocolate caramel cookies and why each one matters.
Cookie Base:
- Salted butter (½ cup / 114 g), softened: Creamed butter gives the shortbread base that rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Salted butter adds a subtle flavor balance that works beautifully with the sweet caramel.
- Powdered sugar (½ cup / 60 g): Using powdered sugar instead of granulated keeps the cookie smooth, tender, and melt-y rather than crisp and crunchy.
- Vanilla (1 teaspoon): Adds warmth and depth to the cookie base without overpowering the other layers.
- Baking powder (½ teaspoon): Gives a slight lift so the cookie has a little structure without getting too puffy.
- All-purpose flour (1 cup / 125 g), plus extra for dusting: The backbone of the cookie. It holds everything together while keeping the texture light and short.
Caramel Layer:
- Kraft caramel bits or wrapped caramels (11 oz / 312 g): These melt down into a perfectly smooth, gooey caramel without any candy thermometer needed. Classic and reliable.
- Milk (1 tablespoon): Just enough to loosen the caramel and make it pourable without making it runny.
- Salt (¼ teaspoon): A little salt in the caramel balances the sweetness and makes the whole layer taste more complex and rich.
Chocolate Topping:
Vegetable oil (1 teaspoon): Thins the chocolate slightly so it spreads in a smooth, even layer without cracking once it sets.
Milk chocolate chips (1½ cups / 355 g): Milk chocolate is the right call here. It's sweet and creamy, which matches the Twix candy bar profile perfectly.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Twix Cookies
Here's how to bring these homemade Twix Cookies together step by step.
Preheat & Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Getting this ready before you start keeps things moving smoothly.
Make Cookie Dough: In a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and smooth. Add the vanilla, baking powder, and flour. Mix until a soft dough forms. Shape the dough into a flat disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1 hour. This chill time is important, it firms up the dough and makes rolling much easier.
Roll & Cut Cookies: Dust your counter, rolling pin, and cookie cutter lightly with flour. Roll the chilled dough out to about ¼ inch thickness. Cut circles using a 2½ inch round cookie cutter and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake Cookies: Bake for 7 to 10 minutes, just until the cookies are set but still pale. You don't want any browning here. Transfer them to a wire cooling rack and let them cool completely before adding any toppings.
Prepare Caramel: Add the caramel bits and milk to a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 1 minute, stir well, then continue heating in 20-second intervals until the caramel is fully melted and smooth. Stir in the salt.
Add Caramel Layer: Spoon about 1 teaspoon of warm caramel onto the center of each cooled cookie. Use the back of a spoon or a small spatula to swirl it out, leaving a small border around the edge. Let the caramel firm up at room temperature for about 30 minutes, or pop them in the fridge to speed things up.
Prepare Chocolate: Combine the milk chocolate chips and vegetable oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each one, until the chocolate is fully melted and glossy.
Add Chocolate Layer: Spoon about 1 teaspoon of melted chocolate over the set caramel on each cookie. Swirl gently to cover most of the caramel, leaving a small caramel border visible around the edges for that signature Twix Cookies look.
Set & Serve: Allow the chocolate to set fully at room temperature or speed it up in the refrigerator. Once set, your homemade Twix Cookies are ready to enjoy.
Substitutions & Swaps
No round cookie cutter? A drinking glass dusted with flour cuts perfect circles.
No Kraft caramel bits? Unwrapped soft caramel candies work just as well. Just chop them up first so they melt faster.
Prefer dark chocolate? Dark chocolate chips give these Twix Cookies a more grown-up, slightly bitter edge that balances the sweet caramel beautifully.
Unsalted butter? Totally fine. Just add a small pinch of extra salt to the cookie dough.
Equipment You'll Need
Stand mixer or hand mixer
Rolling pin
2½ inch round cookie cutter
Baking sheet
Parchment paper
Microwave-safe bowls (medium size)
Spoon or small spatula
Wire cooling rack
Plastic wrap
Storage Tips
Make-ahead tip: The shortbread dough can be made and chilled up to 2 days in advance.
Room temperature: Store finished Twix Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Place a sheet of parchment between layers so they don't stick together.
Refrigerator: They keep well in the fridge for up to 1 week. The caramel firms up a little more when cold, which some people actually prefer.
Freezer: You can freeze these layered chocolate caramel cookies for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Expert Tips for Perfect Twix Cookies
Uniform dough thickness matters. Cookies rolled to different thicknesses bake unevenly. A pair of dowel rods on either side of the dough is a great trick to keep the thickness consistent.
Don't skip the chill time. Chilling the dough keeps the cookies from spreading too much in the oven and makes them much easier to roll out cleanly.
Cool completely before layering. If the cookie is even slightly warm, the caramel will slide right off. Patience here is worth it.
Work fast with the caramel. It firms up as it cools. If it starts to stiffen in the bowl, microwave for 10 seconds and stir again.
A light border makes them look professional. Leaving a small ring of visible caramel under the chocolate is what gives these Twix Cookies that classic, layered look.
FAQ
What kind of cookies does Twix use?
The original Twix candy bar uses a shortbread cookie base. That's exactly what this recipe recreates: a buttery, lightly crisp shortbread that holds the caramel and chocolate layers without getting soggy. It's what makes these Twix Cookies taste so close to the real thing.
Can I put Twix in cookies?
You can! Chopped Twix bars make a fun mix-in for chocolate chip cookies or blondies. But this recipe goes the other direction: it turns the Twix concept into a from-scratch layered cookie. The result is a homemade candy bar cookie that honestly rivals the original.
What do British people call Twix?
In the UK, Twix was originally sold under the name "Raider" before being rebranded to Twix in 1991. Interestingly, the Twix name has been used in the UK since the product launched in 1967, while other European markets used the "Raider" name for years. Today it's known as Twix everywhere, including in recipes like these Twix Cookies.
What is the best recipe for Twix Cookies?
The best version keeps it simple: a real shortbread base (not a sugar cookie), real melted caramel (not caramel sauce), and good quality milk chocolate. This recipe uses all three and follows the layering method that gets you that authentic candy bar texture and flavor.
Are these the same as Jane's Patisserie Twix Cookies?
Similar concept, slightly different approach. Both recipes celebrate the three-layer candy bar format. This version uses Kraft caramel bits for an easy, reliable caramel layer that sets up beautifully every time.
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Homemade Candy Bar Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350 °F (177 °C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream the butter and powdered sugar together in a stand mixer until light and fluffy.
- Add vanilla, baking powder, and flour, and blend until fully combined. Shape the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Lightly dust your counter and rolling pin with flour. Roll the chilled dough to ¼ inch thickness. Cut out cookies with a floured cookie cutter.
- Place the cut cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 7–10 minutes until set but not browned. Allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Combine caramel and milk in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 1 minute, stir, then continue in 20-second intervals until smooth. Stir in salt until incorporated.
- Spoon 1 teaspoon of the caramel mixture onto each cooled cookie. Gently swirl it in a circle, leaving a small border around the edge. Let the caramel firm before adding chocolate.
- Stir chocolate chips with vegetable oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
- Place 1 teaspoon of melted chocolate on top of each set caramel layer. Swirl in a circular motion to mostly cover the caramel, leaving an edge border.
- Allow the chocolate to fully set at room temperature or in the fridge before serving.
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