Indulge in the ultimate homemade treat with these incredibly flavorful Twix cookies! Imagine a soft, chewy cookie base infused with the rich, nutty notes of brown butter, the deep sweetness of dark brown sugar, and a hint of warm cinnamon. Each bite is a delightful fusion of textures and tastes, brimming with generous semi-sweet chocolate chips and chunks of your favorite Twix candy bars. To elevate these delectable creations further, they’re crowned with gooey, melt-in-your-mouth Werther’s soft caramels, transforming them into a truly unforgettable dessert experience.
These homemade Twix cookies are an irresistible way to enjoy the iconic combination of chocolate, caramel, and biscuit in a luxurious cookie form. If the sight of Twix bars in the candy aisle makes your heart skip a beat, then preparing this Twix cookie recipe at home is an absolute must. This isn’t just another chocolate chip cookie; it’s an elevated dessert that will quickly become your go-to whenever you crave something truly special and deeply satisfying. Get ready to bake a batch of what will undoubtedly be your new favorite caramel chocolate chip cookies!
For more delightful candy-filled dessert adventures, consider exploring these other fantastic recipes: Oreo Cheesecake Cookies, No Bake Oreo Cheesecake, and Butterfinger Pie.
Why This Twix Cookie Recipe Works So Well
Creating the perfect cookie is an art, and this recipe masters it with ease. Here’s why these chewy Twix cookies stand out from the rest:
- Perfect Chewy Texture: Every Twix cookie boasts a beautifully soft and chewy center, perfectly contrasted by delightfully crispy, golden-brown edges. This ideal cookie texture, coupled with the gooey, melted caramels and the crisp biscuit pieces from the Twix bars, creates a truly dynamic and satisfying bite.
- Authentic Twix Flavor Explosion: Twix candy bars are beloved for their harmonious blend of chocolate, crunchy biscuit, and rich caramel. This Twix cookie recipe brilliantly captures and amplifies that iconic flavor profile, embedding generous pieces of Twix directly into the dough. Each bite delivers that familiar, comforting taste you adore, making these the ultimate chocolate caramel cookies.
- Surprisingly Easy to Make: Don’t let the decadent appearance fool you; this is a remarkably straightforward recipe. Using readily available, simple ingredients and clear, concise instructions, anyone can whip up a batch of these extraordinary cookies. It’s perfect for both novice bakers and seasoned pros looking for a fuss-free yet impressive treat.
- Enriched with Brown Butter Depth: The secret to the unparalleled flavor in these cookies lies in the brown butter. Browning the butter adds a nutty, toasted depth that elevates the entire cookie, lending it a sophisticated, complex taste that a regular butter cookie simply can’t achieve. This subtle addition truly makes these cookies sing.
- A Unique Twist on a Classic: While a traditional chocolate chip cookie is always a winner, these homemade Twix cookies offer an exciting, candy-bar-inspired variation. They take the familiar comfort of a classic cookie and infuse it with the beloved elements of a Twix bar, creating a fresh and exciting dessert that’s sure to impress.
Key Ingredient Notes for Perfect Twix Cookies
Precision in ingredients is key to achieving the best possible Twix cookies. Below are important notes on the main components. For a complete list of quantities, please refer to the recipe card further down.
- Unsalted Butter: You’ll be dividing your butter for two purposes. Half will be browned to impart a rich, nutty flavor, which needs to be cooled before use. The other half should be left at room temperature for at least two hours prior to baking. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the overall salt content in your cookies.
- Dark Brown Sugar: While light brown sugar can work, dark brown sugar is highly recommended for these cookies. Its higher molasses content not only contributes to a deeper, more robust caramel flavor but also ensures a wonderfully moist and chewy texture. This is crucial for enhancing the overall caramel experience of the Twix cookies.
- Granulated Sugar: A small amount of white granulated sugar is used alongside the brown sugar. This helps to create those desirable crispy edges on your cookies while balancing the richness of the dark brown sugar.
- Large Eggs: Always bring your eggs to room temperature before incorporating them into the dough. Room temperature eggs emulsify more effectively with the butter and sugar, resulting in a smoother, more uniform batter and a better overall cookie texture. Plan to pull them out of the fridge at least two hours before you start baking.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: A crucial flavor enhancer, vanilla extract adds a warm, aromatic base that complements the chocolate, caramel, and cinnamon beautifully. Opt for pure vanilla for the best flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our cookie. Proper measurement is vital (see expert tips below). Avoid compacting the flour in your measuring cup, as this can lead to dry, dense cookies that don’t spread properly.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These leavening agents work together to give the cookies their perfect rise and soft interior. Baking soda reacts with the acidic brown sugar, while baking powder provides an extra lift.
- Salt: Don’t skip the salt! It balances the sweetness of the cookies, enhances all the other flavors, and brings out the notes of chocolate and caramel.
- Ground Cinnamon: Just a touch of cinnamon adds a subtle warmth and spice that beautifully complements the brown butter and caramel, elevating the overall flavor profile of these Twix cookies without overpowering them.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: I recommend semi-sweet chocolate chips as they provide a balanced sweetness that doesn’t overwhelm the other components. Dark chocolate chips could work if you prefer a less sweet cookie, but milk chocolate chips might make the cookies overly sweet when combined with the Twix and caramels.
- Twix Candy Bars: This recipe typically calls for about 5 ounces of fun-sized Twix bars. If using larger bars, ensure they are chopped into small, manageable pieces. The goal is to have enough chopped Twix for both the cookie dough and for topping the warm cookies right out of the oven. This ensures maximum Twix flavor in every bite.
- Soft Caramels: Essential for that signature gooey top! I used Werther’s soft caramels, which melt beautifully. It’s critical to use *soft* caramels, not hard candies, as hard caramels won’t achieve the desired melted, chewy consistency on top of the cookies. Chop them into thirds so they spread nicely when melted.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Irresistible Twix Cookies
Follow these detailed steps to bake your perfect batch of Twix cookies, ensuring delicious results every time.
STEP 1: Craft the Brown Butter. Begin by melting 1/2 cup of unsalted butter in a light-colored frying pan over medium heat. As the butter melts, stir it continuously. You’ll notice it foam, then the milk solids will separate and begin to brown at the bottom of the pan. Continue stirring until these milk deposits turn a beautiful amber color and the butter emits a rich, nutty aroma. Immediately remove from heat and pour the browned butter into a separate, heat-proof bowl to prevent it from burning. Place this bowl in the freezer for about 15 minutes to cool it down, as warm butter can negatively affect your cookie dough.
STEP 2: Prepare Dry Ingredients and Chop Twix. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon until well combined. Set this mixture aside. Next, unwrap and chop the Twix bars into small, bite-sized pieces. Ensure you have enough chopped candy for both mixing into the cookie dough and for topping the cookies after baking. Aim for pieces roughly the size of a chocolate chip for even distribution.
STEP 3: Cream Butter and Sugars. In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, combine the remaining 1/2 cup of softened room-temperature unsalted butter, the cooled brown butter, the dark brown sugar, and the white granulated sugar. Beat these ingredients together on high speed for at least 2 minutes, or until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and noticeably pale. This creaming process incorporates air, which contributes to the cookies’ light and chewy texture.
STEP 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures. Reduce the mixer speed to medium. Add the pure vanilla extract and the room-temperature large eggs to the butter and sugar mixture, beating for another minute until just combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture (flour, leavening agents, salt, cinnamon) to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed only until the flour streaks have just disappeared. Be careful not to overmix, as this can develop the gluten and result in tough cookies. Finally, gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and the majority of your chopped Twix pieces by hand using a spatula, reserving some Twix for topping.
STEP 5: Prepare for Baking. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large cookie sheets with parchment paper; this prevents sticking and helps with even baking and easy cleanup. Let the prepared cookie dough rest on the counter for about 10 minutes. This short rest allows the flour to fully hydrate and the flavors to meld. Use a large cookie scoop (approximately 2 tablespoons or 2 ounces) to portion out the dough. Arrange 6 cookie dough balls evenly spaced on each baking sheet, allowing plenty of room for them to spread.
STEP 6: Bake the Twix Cookies. Place one cookie sheet at a time into your preheated oven and bake for 12-14 minutes. The cookies are ready when their edges are lightly golden brown, but the centers still appear slightly soft and underbaked. While the first batch bakes, use this time to chop your Werther’s soft caramels into thirds, preparing them for topping. Bake the second sheet when the first is done.
STEP 7: Top with Caramel and Candy. As soon as you remove the cookies from the oven, while they are still hot and soft, immediately press the chopped soft caramels, the reserved chopped Twix pieces, and a few extra chocolate chips onto the tops of each cookie. The residual heat will gently melt the caramels, creating a wonderfully gooey topping. If any caramel happens to ooze too far from the edge of a cookie, simply use a knife to carefully trim it for a neater appearance.
STEP 8: Cool to Perfection. Allow the hot cookies to remain on the baking pan for at least 5 minutes after they come out of the oven. This crucial step allows them to continue cooking slightly and firm up, making them easier to transfer without breaking. After 5 minutes, carefully transfer the Twix cookies to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Enjoy warm or at room temperature!
Expert Baking Tips for the Best Twix Cookies
Achieve bakery-quality Twix cookies every time with these valuable tips:
- Accurate Flour Measurement: The single most common baking mistake. Do not scoop your measuring cup directly into the flour bag, as this compacts the flour, leading to an excess amount. Instead, spoon the flour into your measuring cup and then level it off with a straight edge (like the back of a knife). Too much flour can result in dry, dense cookies that don’t spread properly during baking. Using a kitchen scale for precise measurement (grams) is even better.
- Troubleshooting Cookie Spread: If your cookies are spreading too much, several factors could be at play. First, always use parchment paper on your baking sheets. Ensure your butter wasn’t too warm when added to the dough. If excessive spreading persists, chilling the scooped cookie dough balls for 10-15 minutes (or even longer) before baking can help firm up the butter, preventing them from flattening out too quickly.
- High Altitude Adjustments: For bakers living at high altitudes, cookies can sometimes spread more due to reduced atmospheric pressure. To counteract this, add an extra 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to your dry ingredients. This small adjustment can significantly help maintain the cookie’s structure and prevent excessive spreading.
- Embrace the “Slightly Underbaked” Look: For truly chewy centers, it’s best to remove the cookies from the oven when their edges are lightly golden, but their centers still look a bit soft and perhaps even slightly underdone. Cookies continue to cook from residual heat on the hot baking sheet, allowing them to finish baking without becoming dry or brittle.
- Room Temperature Ingredients are a Must: Beyond just eggs, ensuring all dairy ingredients (butter, eggs) are at room temperature is essential. This allows them to emulsify correctly, creating a smoother, more uniform dough that bakes more evenly and results in a better overall texture.
- Avoid Overmixing the Dough: Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to tough, dense cookies instead of soft and chewy ones.
- Don’t Rush the Cooling Process: While tempting to grab a hot cookie, letting them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack allows them to set. This prevents them from falling apart and ensures their structure is maintained. A wire rack allows air to circulate, preventing the bottoms from becoming soggy.
- Oven Temperature Consistency: Every oven can vary. Using an oven thermometer can help you verify that your oven is consistently at the correct temperature, ensuring your cookies bake perfectly every time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Twix Cookies
Absolutely! If you prefer smaller cookies, simply use a small cookie scoop (about 1 tablespoon) to portion the dough. You should be able to fit approximately 12 smaller cookie dough balls per baking sheet. Adjust the baking time to 8-11 minutes, keeping a close eye on them as they bake, as smaller cookies will cook faster.
Yes, freezing the cookie dough is an excellent option for baking fresh cookies on demand! Scoop the cookie dough balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze them until solid (about 1-2 hours). Once firm, transfer the frozen dough balls to an airtight container or a freezer-safe zip-top bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 30 days. When you’re ready to bake, let the cookie dough balls thaw on the counter for about 30 minutes before baking as directed in the recipe.
Chilling the cookie dough overnight can actually enhance the flavor and texture of these Twix cookies! The longer chill time allows the flavors to meld and the flour to fully hydrate, often resulting in a richer taste and a chewier cookie. However, I recommend forming the cookie dough into balls first before chilling them overnight. Wrap the scooped dough balls tightly in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container. Before baking, ensure the chilled dough balls come to room temperature (about 30-60 minutes on the counter) to ensure proper spreading.
While this recipe is specifically designed to highlight the deliciousness of Twix, you can certainly experiment with other candy bars! For best results, choose candy bars with a similar texture profile – ones that contain caramel, chocolate, and possibly a crunchy element. Good options might include Snickers, Milky Way, or even Butterfinger (though the texture would be different). Just chop them into similar-sized pieces and adjust the topping as needed.
Browning the butter is highly recommended for these Twix cookies as it adds a distinct, nutty, and rich depth of flavor that complements the caramel and chocolate beautifully. While you *could* technically skip this step and use all regular room-temperature unsalted butter, the cookies wouldn’t have the same complex flavor profile. If you’re short on time, you can omit it, but for the best tasting Twix cookies, it’s worth the extra 10-15 minutes of effort.
Storing and Freezing Your Delicious Twix Cookies
To keep your homemade Twix cookies fresh and delicious for as long as possible, follow these storage guidelines:
Once completely cooled, store the baked Twix cookies at room temperature in an airtight container. A zip-top bag or a cookie jar with a tight-fitting lid works perfectly. When stored properly, these cookies will maintain their freshness and chewiness for up to 5 days. For optimal enjoyment, consume them within 2-3 days.
Freezing Baked Twix Cookies
For longer storage, you can easily freeze your baked Twix cookies. Once the cookies are entirely cooled, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about an hour until firm. Then, transfer the solid cookies to an airtight, freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. Layer them with parchment paper in between to prevent sticking. They can be frozen for up to 30 days. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply thaw them at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving. You can also warm them slightly in the microwave for a few seconds for that freshly baked feel.
Other Irresistible Cookie Recipes To Try
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Twix Cookies
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Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup Unsalted butter, browned
- 1 1/4 cup Dark brown sugar, use dark for best results
- 1/4 cup White granulated sugar
- 2 Large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups All-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp Baking powder
- 1/2 tsp Baking soda
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Ground cinnamon
- 1 cup Semi-sweet chocolate chips, plus more for topping the cookies
- 1 cup Chopped twix, Use half of a 10 oz fun size bag
- Werther’s Soft Caramels, Chopped in thirds to top the cookies
Instructions
- In a frying pan over medium heat, melt 1/2 cup of butter. Heat until melted, then keep stirring until the milk deposits separate and turn amber in color. Pour into a bowl and place in the freezer for 15 minutes while you make the rest.1/2 cup Unsalted butter
- In a medium bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside. Chop the fun size twix bars into small pieces. Set aside. Make sure there is enough for the cookie dough and for the top of the cookies.2 1/2 cups All-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp Baking powder, 1/2 tsp Baking soda, 1 tsp Salt, 1/4 tsp Ground cinnamon
- Using a mixer, beat the softened butter, browned butter, brown sugar, and sugar. Beat on high speed for 2 minutes.1/2 cup Unsalted butter, 1 1/4 cup Dark brown sugar, 1/4 cup White granulated sugar
- Add in vanilla and eggs. Mix on medium for 1 minute. Add in the dry ingredients and mix on low speed until just combined. Add in the chocolate chips and twix pieces.2 Large eggs, 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract, 1 cup Semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 cup Chopped twix
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Let the cookie dough rest on the counter for 10 minutes.
- Use a large cookie scoop (2 oz or 2 TBSP) to scoop the dough. Place 6 cookie dough balls per cookie sheet.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes. Bake until the edges are lightly golden. While the cookies bake, chop up the soft caramels.Werther’s Soft Caramels
- Immediately after baking, top with soft caramels, chopped Twix, and more chocolate chips. If any of the Twix caramel oozed out of the cookie, use a knife to cut it off.
- Let the cookies sit on the hot pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
Notes
High altitude baking- Add an extra 2 TBSP of flour.
Pull out dairy ingredients 2 hours before baking.
There you have it – a comprehensive guide to baking the most delicious Twix cookies you’ll ever taste. This recipe promises a delightful blend of chewy texture, rich flavors, and the beloved components of your favorite candy bar. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion, a party, or simply to satisfy a sweet craving, these cookies are sure to be a hit. Enjoy the process and savor every incredible bite!