Healthy Twix Bars With Date Caramel

Hands up if you love Twix bars. Years ago, my candy of choice was….peanut butter Twix bars. They were my weakness. I couldn’t resist the crunchy shortbread crust. that deliciously sweet peanut butter middle and of course, the chocolate coating,

Anyone else?

I don’t buy candy bars any longer as I don’t crave the sweets of my younger days, and also because I love to make healthy desserts and snacks at home and create my own better-for-you versions.

Twix bars would be way too sweet for me now, and I’m sure I would find them rather lacking without the nutrient-dense ingredients I am now used to.

Since I started making my own healthier desserts at home, I decided to try to ‘healthify’ and recreate this classic favourite so that everyone can enjoy them.

Just like classic Twix bars, this healthy, homemade version has three delicious layers: a shortbread layer, a caramel layer and a chocolate layer.

The Twix bar is a really popular bar to make and there’s probably about a million recipes online already, but I have tried to keep this one as simple as possible. Simple is best, as it means a) I’m more likely to make it b) chances are I have the ingredients already.  I think I am really a lazy healthy foodie at heart.

Why are Twix bars considered not-so-healthy?

Well, here is the ingredient list:

Ingredients: Milk Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Chocolate, Skim Milk, Lactose, Milkfat, Soy Lecithin, Pgpr, Artificial Flavors), Enriched Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Sugar, Palm Oil, Corn Syrup, Skim Milk, Dextrose, Less Than 2% - Salt, Cocoa Powder, Soy Lecithin, Modified Corn Starch, Baking Soda, Artificial Flavor.

In comparison here is the homemade Twix version ingredient list:

Ingredients: Almond flour, Coconut oil, Dates, Peanut butter, Milk, Sea salt, 90% dark chocolate.

There are only 7 ingredients needed for my homemade Twix bars recipe !

The thing I love most about these is that they are a MUCH healthier version of the classic bar. There is nothing processed, no refined sugar, animal ingredients, no additives, no artificial anything, just nuts, dates and chocolate!

They sound too good to be true, but one bite and you will fall in love. I happily munched my way through two in the space of an hour after making them and was eyeing up a third one!

These healthier Twix bars are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. So simple and easy to make. Made with a simple almond flour crust, topped with date caramel and chocolate. You don't have to spend too much time dipping them in chocolate because they are layered right in the pan!

Rich and gooey, naturally sweet, slightly salty and no baking involved. A bit of blending, some chocolate melting and you are one step away from a homemade sweet shop.

They keep well in the fridge but can also be wrapped in paper and taken to school or work in lunchboxes. Perfect to take to a party too, if you care to share them.

Or do what I’m doing and I'm making another batch just for me and labelling it ‘self care’. I mean, that’s what it is, right?!

 

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine Healthy Clean Eating

Keyword chocolate coconut bars, clean eating dessert or snack, copycat twix bars, healthy twix bar, healthy twix bar with date caramel

Servings 12

Ingredients

Base Crust

• 2 cups blanched almonds (skin removed)
• 1/2 cup dates, soaked 30 minutes and drained
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted

Date Caramel Filling

• 1 1/2 cups dates, soaked for 30 minutes and drained
• 1/2 cup peanut (or almond or cashew) butter
• 1-2 tablespoons any milk
• 1/8 teaspoon sea salt

Chocolate Topping

• 1 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil

Instructions

Base Crust

• Line an 8 x 8” baking pan or dish with parchment paper on the bottom and sides leaving some overhanging to act as a handle to get the bars out easier for cutting.

  Place almonds into a food processer and process until broken down and crumbly. Add dates and coconut oil and continue to process until mixture is sticky and well combined.

  Press the base mixture into the bottom of your pan or dish evenly.

  Refrigerate while you prepare the filling.

Date Caramel Filling

• Add the remaining 1½ cups dates, peanut butter, 1 tablespoon milk and a dash of salt to the food processor and process, adding another tablespoon of milk if needed to get a smooth and creamy paste (a few lumps is fine!)

  Pour date caramel over the base crust and using a spatula or back of a spoon spread it evenly.

  Place in the freezer 30minutes to firm up while you melt the chocolate topping.

Chocolate Topping

• Place chocolate chips and coconut oil in small dish and microwave at 50% power with 30 second bursts stirring between each one until melted and smooth.

  Or use double boiler method - (pot of boiling water with a bowl resting on top) melt the chocolate chips and the coconut oil together.

  Pour the chocolate over the top of the date caramel and spread it out evenly.

  Place bars back in freezer for 2-3 hours.

  Remove the bars using the parchment paper handles and cut into 10-12 bars.

  If bars are frozen allow them to stand at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to soften before serving.

  These healthy Twix bars store well in the fridge for up to a week.

   

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If you are looking for more delicious, healthy, no bake desserts and treats to help you reach your health, wellness and fitness goals, you will love my collection here: Blended Bites