I love the idea of making candy bars from scratch.  Oh, I know that I can't serve them for trick-or-treating.  I grew up with my parents going through our candy haul and throwing out anything that was not machine wrapped.  But, it is still a fun way to celebrate the holiday with your family and friends.

These homemade twix bars made me nervous at first, but no one was more shocked than I was when they came out SO perfect and JUST like the originals.  Without all those unsavory ingredients of course.  I mean why eat words you can't pronounce when you can eat wholesome foods (wholesome in the way that you know all the ingredients, NOT that it's good for you)!

Anyway, I made these for my sister M, when she was still in college.  They are her favorite and those last few months were the hardest for her to get through - so close to being done but still so far away.  It's hard to believe that was months ago and that she's getting ready to celebrate her engagement to fiance M.  I couldn't think of a better time to share them - Halloween, M&M's engagement, life is so good for us at the moment.  We are lucky.  In a trick or treat scenario, these are a treat, indeed!
Twix Bars (adapted from here)
Serves:  20 (20 bars)
Cookie Base:
 11 tablespoons butter, soft
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups flour
Caramel Layer:
20 ounces soft caramels, unwrapped
2 tablespoons heavy cream
Chocolate Coating:
2/3 pound semi-sweet chocolate chips


Cookie Base:  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line a 13x9 baking pan with aluminum foil and grease the aluminum foil.  Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil as well.  Set aside.  In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.  Add flour and mix on low speed until the flour is just incorporated.  Scrape the dough into the prepared pan and press it into a thin, even layer.  Bake for 16-18 minutes.  Let cool completely.

Caramel Layer:  In a microwave-safe bowl, add all caramels and 2 tablespoons of cream.  Microwave in 30 second increments, stirring in between each, until melted and smooth, about 2-3 minutes.  Pour over the shortbread crust.  Refrigerate until caramel is set (60-90 minutes).

Chocolate Coating:  In a clean microwave-safe bowl, add the chocolate chips and microwave at 50% power in 30 second increments, stirring in between each.  This will take about 2 minutes.  Meanwhile, remove the bars from the pan.  Cut the bars into finger-width bars and then cut the pan in half width-wise.  Use a fork to dip the bars in chocolate, covering on all sides.  Place the dipped bars onto the prepared aluminum foil cookie sheet.  Set the chocolate for 5-10 minutes in the fridge. 

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Until the next time my oven is on...