Healthy Twix Bars Guilt-Free Indulgence You’ll Love
Indulge your sweet tooth without the guilt with these Healthy Twix Bars! Featuring a perfectly crisp shortbread base, a luscious creamy caramel-like filling, and a rich chocolate coating, this recipe transforms a classic treat into a wholesome delight. It's the ideal treat for satisfying cravings while adhering to a healthier lifestyle.
Prep Time
25 minutes
Cook Time
10-12 minutes
Total Time
1 hour 45 minutes (including freezing time)
Servings
16 bars
Keywords
Why This Recipe Delivers
- Offers a satisfying indulgence without the processed ingredients of traditional candy bars.
- Made with wholesome, natural ingredients like almond flour and maple syrup.
- Perfect for meal prep, providing a convenient healthy snack or dessert throughout the week.
- Customizable to various dietary needs, including dairy-free, gluten-free, and nut-free options.
- Surprisingly easy to make, even for novice bakers, delivering impressive results.
Ingredients
- 240 grams (2 cups) almond flour (substitute with oat flour for a different texture)
- 115 grams (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, melted (or virgin coconut oil, melted; use plant-based butter for a dairy-free option)
- 60 milliliters (1/4 cup) maple syrup (can be replaced with honey for a floral flavor)
- 5 milliliters (1 teaspoon) vanilla extract (use almond extract for a unique twist)
- 1 gram (1/4 teaspoon) fine sea salt (table salt can be a great substitute)
- 240 grams (1 cup) creamy peanut butter (nut-free options include almond or sunflower butter for those with allergies)
- 240 grams (1 cup) chocolate chips (opt for dark chocolate chunks for richness and a more intense flavor)
- 30 milliliters (2 tablespoons) virgin coconut oil, melted (substitute with vegetable oil if desired)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Prepare an 20×20 cm (8×8 inch) baking pan by lining it with parchment paper, ensuring there's an overhang on two sides. This overhang will act as handles, making it significantly easier to lift the cooled bars from the pan later.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the almond flour, melted butter or coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix thoroughly with a spatula or your hands until a cohesive dough forms. Press this dough evenly and firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Aim for a compact layer to ensure a crisp shortbread base. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack in the pan.
- While the shortbread cools, prepare the luscious caramel-like filling. In a separate bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and approximately 15 grams (1 tablespoon) of almond flour (this helps firm up the filling). Stir well until the mixture is completely smooth and uniform. Once the shortbread base is fully cooled, evenly spread this peanut butter mixture over the top. Transfer the pan to the freezer and chill for at least 1 hour; this firming step is crucial for clean cuts.
- Once the filling is firm, remove the pan from the freezer. Lift the chilled shortbread and peanut butter layer out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Carefully slice the large square into individual bars of your desired size, typically 16 rectangular pieces. If they are too hard to cut, let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before slicing.
- Prepare the rich chocolate coating. In a microwave-safe bowl or a double boiler, melt the chocolate chips with the 30 milliliters (2 tablespoons) of coconut oil until smooth and glossy. Stir frequently to prevent burning. Dip each bar into the melted chocolate, using a fork to gently turn and coat all sides. Lift the bar, allowing any excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl, then place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- After coating all the bars, if desired, drizzle any remaining melted chocolate over the tops for an extra decorative touch. For an enhanced flavor profile, lightly sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the wet chocolate. Return the baking sheet to the freezer for another 10-15 minutes to allow the chocolate coating to harden completely and set.
- Once the chocolate is firm, these healthy Twix bars are ready to enjoy! Store any leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain their freshness and texture. They can also be stored in the freezer for longer periods and thawed slightly before serving.
Tools You’ll Need
- 8×8 inch (20×20 cm) baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Mixing bowls (2)
- Spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wire cooling rack
- Sharp knife
- Microwave-safe bowl or double boiler
- Fork for dipping
Essential Success Tips
- Ensure your shortbread base is completely cooled before adding the filling. A warm base will cause the filling to melt and make the layers difficult to set.
- When pressing the shortbread dough into the pan, use the bottom of a flat glass or a measuring cup to achieve an even, compact layer, which contributes to its crispness.
- Do not skip the freezing step for the filling layer. This makes slicing the bars much easier and helps maintain distinct layers.
- For dipping, work quickly with the melted chocolate. If the chocolate starts to thicken, gently reheat it briefly. Ensure the bars are very cold to prevent the filling from melting into the chocolate.
- Always line your pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang. This is the secret to effortlessly removing the entire slab of bars for clean and precise cutting.
Professional Cooking Secrets
- For an extra layer of flavor complexity in the shortbread, lightly toast the almond flour in a dry pan for a few minutes before mixing it with other ingredients. This brings out a nuttier aroma.
- To achieve a truly silky, professional chocolate coating, temper your chocolate if you have the skills. Otherwise, ensure your melted chocolate is not too hot (around 45-50°C or 115-120°F) to prevent blooming as it sets.
- If you want to reduce the sweetness further, consider using unsweetened peanut butter and dark chocolate with a higher cocoa percentage (70% or more). You can adjust the maple syrup in the filling to taste.
Notes
- Storage: Store these Healthy Twix Bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 1 month. Allow frozen bars to thaw for a few minutes before enjoying.
- Variations: Experiment with different nut butters like cashew butter for a milder flavor. You can also add a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom to the shortbread for a warm spice note. For a coffee twist, add a teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the melted chocolate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these bars entirely dairy-free?
Absolutely! To make these bars fully dairy-free, ensure you use a plant-based butter (like vegan butter sticks) for the shortbread base and dairy-free chocolate chips for the coating. Coconut oil is already a great dairy-free option for both sections.
What if my shortbread base isn't crispy enough?
A common reason for a less crispy shortbread is insufficient baking time or the dough not being pressed firmly enough. Ensure your oven temperature is accurate and bake until the edges are visibly golden. Pressing the dough firmly into the pan also helps achieve a denser, crispier texture.
My chocolate coating is too thick for dipping, what should I do?
If your chocolate coating feels too thick, simply add another half teaspoon or a full teaspoon of coconut oil (or vegetable oil) to the melted chocolate and stir well until it reaches a smoother, more fluid consistency suitable for dipping. Be careful not to add too much at once.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
Calories: Approximately 280-320 per bar (estimated for 16 bars), Protein: 7g, Fat: 22g, Carbs: 18g (Net Carbs: 12g), Fiber: 3g. These are estimates and can vary based on specific brands and ingredient choices.
Allergy Information
Contains nuts (almond, peanut). For a nut-free version, substitute almond flour with oat flour and peanut butter with sunflower seed butter. Contains potential dairy if using regular butter or milk chocolate; use plant-based alternatives for a dairy-free option. Naturally gluten-free if using almond flour; if substituting with oat flour, ensure it's certified gluten-free for strict dietary needs.
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