Millionaire Bars (Homemade Twix Bars)
Rich, buttery shortbread, smooth creamy chocolate, gooey caramel and salty pretzels make these Millionaire Bars decadently delicious and highly addictive.
Servings: 16 bars
Calories: 296kcal
Ingredients
Shortbread Crust:
- 1 cup flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 stick butter softened
- 1 egg
- ½ tsp. vanilla
- ½ tsp. salt
- 30 salted pretzels
Caramel:
- 12 oz. vanilla caramels unwrapped
- 3 tbsp. heavy cream
Chocolate Ganache:
- 8 oz dark chocolate chips
- 4 tbsp. heavy cream
- Coarse sea salt optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Shortbread Crust:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine the butter and sugar in a bowl and beat until fluffy, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add the egg and vanilla and beat another 1-2 minutes.
- Add the flour and salt and mix to combine. Do not overmix.
- Take the dough and spread it over a parchment paper lined 8 x 8" pan.
- Press each pretzel lightly into the dough leaving only a small amount of space between each.
- Bake the dough for 20-25 minutes, until the edges just start to brown.
- Let cool completely in fridge before adding the caramel (about 30 minutes).
Caramel:
- Unwrap all your caramels and place in a microwave safe bowl with the cream.
- Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring in between each, until caramel is full melted.
- Pour on top of the shortbread.
- Cool completely in the fridge before adding the chocolate ganache (about 15-30 minutes).
Chocolate Ganache:
- Combine the chocolate chips and cream in a microwave safe bowl and heat for 30 second intervals, stirring in between.
- Once fully melted, pour on top of the caramel mixture.
- Sprinkle lightly with coarse sea salt.
- Let the bars set in the fridge for about 15-30 minutes.
- Lift the parchment paper out of the pan and slice the bars with a warmed knife (warm makes it easier to slice).
Notes
- Be careful not to overmix the shortbread as it can cause it to become too crumbly and fall apart after baking;
- The caramel and chocolate should be microwaved in 30 second intervals, stirring in between until the mixtures are fully melted. Be careful not to overheat or they may burn;
- If the chocolate ganache is too thick, add additional cream and mix until it is pourable. Be careful not to thin it too much - the mixture should be thick but pourable (I don't usually need to add extra);
- If the caramel is too thick, add additional cream and mix until it is pourable. Be careful not to thin it too much - the mixture should be thick but pourable (I never need to add extra);
- Either pretzel sticks or regular pretzels can be used;
- The sprinkle of sea salt on top is optional, however I highly recommend it for the best flavor;
- Warm your knife before attempting to cut the bars. A warmed knife will slice through the chocolate and caramel easier.
Nutrition
Serving: 1bar | Calories: 296kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 209mg | Potassium: 157mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 295IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 1mg