Twix Cookie Bars

 

Ok so seriously, what hits the sweet tooth spot like a mixture of creamy caramel, smooth chocolate, and shortbread?  Not much.  My family goes crazy over these, and they are worth every single last calorie.  Trust me.  This makes a very large pan, but you can freeze them and have them ready when you are asked to bring a treat somewhere, you have unexpected company, or you just need something amazing, creamy, and chocolatey.

 Twix Cookie Bars

Print Recipe

Shortbread Layer:
1 1/2 cups Butter, softened
1 1/2 cups Powdered Sugar
3 teaspoons Vanilla
3 cups Flour
1/4 teaspoon Salt

Preheat oven to 325.  Beat together butter and sugar til smooth, add vanilla.  Stir in flour and salt until smooth.  Press into a sheet cake pan, about 12x16 (or close to those measurements.)  Poke with a fork several times, should look something like this: 
 
Bake for about 25 minutes, or until edges are browning somewhat and top is turning a light golden brown, it will look something like this:
 

Remove and cool completely.

Caramel Layer:
1 1/2 cups Butter
1 1/2 cups Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 1/2 cups Brown Sugar
6 Tablespoons Corn Syrup
1 1/2 teaspoons Vanilla

Place butter in a saucepan and melt over low heat.  Stir in remaining ingredients except for vanilla.  Bring to a boil, stirring, and reduce heat to medium-low and cook and stir over a low rolling boil for about 7 minutes.  Stir in vanilla.  Pour caramel over shortbread layer.  Place in the fridge or freezer to set. 

Chocolate Layer:
3-4 cups Chocolate Chips, I like a mixture of semi-sweet and milk chocolate, but either works great!
2 Tablespoons Shortening

In a frying pan over low heat, melt chocolate, stirring frequently.  Stir in shortening, spread over caramel layer.  These bars are best kept in the fridge and set out a few minutes before you eat them.