I wasn’t the perfect eater as a toddler. After college I’d usually head to the merchandising machine and select zebra desserts or a chocolate sweet bar to chow down on till my abdomen felt not so nice.

My sweet of alternative? PEANUT BUTTER TWIX BARS.

They had been my weak point. I couldn’t resist the chocolate coating, crunchy shortbread crust and naturally, that deliciously candy peanut butter center. Anybody else?

Now that I’m an grownup, I hardly ever discover myself shopping for sweet bars. In all probability as a result of I don’t crave the sweets of my childhood, and likewise as a result of I like to bake at dwelling and create my very own better-for-you variations.

For instance, bear in mind my salted tahini caramel millionaire bars? Or how about these fabulous higher for you peanut butter cups? SO GOOD.

Right now’s recipe is all about my real love for peanut butter twix bars. The recipe relies off of my millionaire bars that you just all fell in love with years in the past, however as an alternative of a tahini caramel center, there’s a peanut butter filling that’s good, thick and completely candy. Oh and naturally, I can’t fail to say that these are each vegan and gluten free too! Can I get a yum?

Selfmade peanut butter twix bars components

Similar to traditional twix bars, this wholesome, do-it-yourself model has three scrumptious layers: a shortbread layer, a peanut butter layer and a chocolate layer. Right here’s what you’ll must make them:

• Almond flour: the gluten free shortbread base is made with high-quality blanched almond flour for the perfect texture.
• Coconut oil: you’ll want some coconut oil to provide the bottom just a little moisture and to assist the peanut butter layer agency up properly.
• Maple syrup: we’re naturally sweetening the bars with pure maple syrup.
• Peanut butter: bear in mind to make use of a pure, drippy peanut butter for the “caramel” layer. I like Wild Associates peanut butter, and you should use the code ‘AMBITIOUS15’ for 15% off!
• Chocolate chips: you’ll soften some chocolate chips with just a little coconut oil to create that excellent topping. Be at liberty to make use of dairy free chocolate chips!
• Baking staples: don’t neglect the vanilla extract and just a little salt. Learn to make your personal vanilla right here!

Optionally available ingredient swaps

I like to recommend sticking with the recipe as carefully as doable so that you’ve got excellent do-it-yourself peanut butter twix bars each time, but when it’s worthwhile to swap components right here’s what I can suggest:

• For the coconut oil: be happy to make use of melted butter or vegan butter as an alternative.
• For the peanut butter: I feel a pure, drippy almond butter or cashew butter would additionally work, however I extremely recommend sticking with peanut butter for the perfect taste. You possibly can even use crunchy peanut butter should you’d like!

Can I exploit common flour?

Sadly, no, I’d not suggest utilizing common flour rather than the almond flour as a result of the feel and taste can be a lot totally different.

The way to make wholesome peanut butter twix bars

1. Make the bottom. Begin by mixing all the shortbread cookie base components collectively and urgent the combination into an 8×8 inch sq. pan. Bake the bottom till barely golden.
2. Make the peanut butter layer. As soon as your shortbread base is finished baking, combine the components for the peanut butter layer collectively in a small pot over medium low warmth for about 2 minutes till it’s good and easy.
3. Layer the bars. Pour your peanut butter layer on prime of the cooled shortbread cookie layer, after which place it within the fridge to solidify for about Half-hour.
4. Add the chocolate. Whenever you’re about able to take the shortbread + peanut butter layers out of the fridge, soften your chocolate chips with coconut oil in a microwave secure dish. Pour the chocolate over the peanut butter and tilt the pan to ensure it’s evenly coated. Place it again within the fridge for 20 minutes till the chocolate has hardened.
5. Slice & devour. As soon as the chocolate has hardened you’ll be able to reduce the bars and revel in!

Assist! The tops of my bars cracked

I’ve had just a few individuals inform me that after they went to slice their peanut butter twix bars the chocolate half cracked in just a few locations. To keep away from this, let the bars sit out for a couple of minutes at room temperature earlier than reducing into them.

Suggestions for excellent peanut butter twix bars

• Use the proper pan. Make sure to use an 8×8 inch pan in an effort to get the proper form and consistency. A bigger pan will make the bars too flat.
• Pack your almond flour. You’ll wish to use packed almond flour (and ensure it’s blanched, high-quality almond flour) similar to you’d with brown sugar.
• Don’t skip the chilliness time. I do know it’s tempting to place all the layers collectively with out ready on the chilliness time, however you actually do want the peanut butter and chocolate layers to sit back utterly in order that the bars maintain collectively effectively.

The way to retailer wholesome twix bars

• To retailer: these wholesome peanut butter twix bars needs to be stored coated within the fridge till you’re able to serve them. They are going to keep good in your fridge for about 1 week.
• To freeze: be happy to maintain them in a freezer-safe container in your freezer for as much as 1 month. When you do maintain them in your freezer, be sure you go away them out on the counter for a couple of minutes earlier than serving in order that they soften up a bit.

Extra brownies and bars you’ll love

Get all of my brownies and bars right here!

I hope you’re keen on these do-it-yourself, wholesome peanut butter twix bars! When you make them be sure you go away a remark and a ranking so I understand how you preferred them. Take pleasure in, xo! 

Wholesome Peanut Butter Twix Bars (vegan & gluten free)

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook dinner Time 15 minutes minutes

Whole Time 45 minutes minutes

ServesServes 16 bars

Unbelievable, wholesome peanut butter twix bars made with better-for-you components like all pure peanut butter, almond flour, pure maple syrup, and chocolate. They’re completely candy with three scrumptious layers for a do-it-yourself take in your favourite sweet bar!

Elements

• For the shortbread base:
• 1 ½ cups packed high-quality blanched almond flour (I exploit Bob’s Pink Mill)
• 3 tablespoons melted and cooled coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• For the peanut butter layer:
• ⅔ cup drippy pure peanut butter (crunchy or creamy works)
• 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• For the chocolate layer:
• 3/4 cup chocolate chips, dairy free if desired
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 levels F. Line an 8×8 inch sq. pan with parchment paper. It’s essential to make use of an 8×8 inch as a 9×9 inch pan could also be too large.

• In a medium bowl add the almond flour, coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract and salt. Combine along with a fork till it varieties a pleasant thick crumb texture. Add to pan and use your fingers to evenly press down into the pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Enable crust to chill for 10 minutes earlier than including caramel.

• Subsequent make the peanut butter caramel layer: Add the peanut butter, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla extract and sea salt to a medium pot and place over medium-low warmth for about 2 minutes till caramel begins to barely bubble, stirring ceaselessly. Pour over barely cooled crust. 

• Place in fridge for a minimum of Half-hour-1 hour to utterly harden the peanut butter. It should not take longer than this, however if you’re impatient, simply place in freezer for 15-20 minutes, this could pace up the method.

• After Half-hour or so, make the chocolate layer: Add chocolate chips and coconut oil to a microwave secure bowl and microwave on excessive in 30 second increments, stirring in between till chocolate is totally melted. When you want, you may also soften the chocolate and coconut oil in small saucepan over low warmth.

• Pour over the caramel layer and tilt pan side-to-side to evenly distribute the melted chocolate. Place in fridge for a minimum of 20 minutes till chocolate is totally hardened and bars are cooled.

• Take away bars from pan and reduce into 16 bars (that resemble twix bars). To do that, reduce complete pan of bars in half, after which reduce every half into 8 (1-inch) bars (not squares!), so that you’ll find yourself with 16 bars. Take pleasure in! Bars needs to be stored coated within the fridge till able to serve.

Recipe Notes

These wholesome peanut butter twix bars needs to be stored coated within the fridge till you are able to serve them. They are going to keep good in your fridge for about 1 week, however you may also maintain them in a freezer-safe container in your freezer for as much as 1 month.
See the total put up for suggestions, methods & methods to customise these twix bars.

Vitamin

Serving: 1barEnergy: 255calCarbohydrates: 16.9gProtein: 4.9gFats: 20.4gSaturated Fats: 8.8gFiber: 2.1gSugar: 12.9g

Recipe by: Monique Volz // Bold Kitchen | Pictures by: Eat Love Eats

This put up was initially revealed on July twenty sixth, 2019, republished on March eighth, 2023, and republished on October twenty second, 2023.