Homemade Twix Bars

Homemade candy bars: Yes. Yes, please.  Why it seemed daunting to me at first, I'm not sure.  To recreate homemade version of Twix bars, it only took about 5 ingredients and is obviously tastier and cheaper, too.  I did take a shortcut by using Trader Joe's honey whole wheat pretzel sticks (actually, I knew I had to make this recipe fairly quickly because those pretzel sticks don't always last long in our house).  And you can take another shortcut by using caramel candies but making your own caramel is so, so easy! And delicious.  And the leftovers can go on ice cream (or, you know, be eaten with a spoon when cooled).

The original recipe even called for adding Nutella but after I had spooned on the caramel and was about to add the melted chocolate, I had a feeling it didn't need any more.  And for us, it really didn't.  But feel free to add the Nutella before the final layer of chocolate! However, the sea (or kosher) salt sprinkled on top is a must -- we just loved that salty sweet combo!

Also, for any Seinfeld fans (I don't really watch it but my husband's a fan of some of the older ones), as I made these homemade Twix and placed them on a baking sheet to cool in the fridge, we both laughed at our " candy lineup." George would have been proud.

Homemade almond joys are next on my list!

Homemade Twix Bars

Adapted from: Savory Sweet Life (she gives a good step-by-step post)

Makes 4 bars

• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, cut into a few large pieces
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 8 4-inch honey-wheat pretzel sticks like Rold Gold or Trader Joes
• 3-4 Tbsp. dark chocolate chips or your favorite type of chocolate
• optional: sea salt, Nutella

1. On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, place two pretzels side by side (they should be touching each other).  Line up three other sets of 2 pretzels on the sheet. 
2. In a medium heavy-duty saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar together, and stir it over medium heat until it begins to boil. Once it has begun boiling, let it bubble for three more minutes, stirring it well. It will thicken a bit as it cooks. Remove from the heat and add the salt and vanilla.
3. Spoon caramel over each set of pretzels (be generous)!  Let cool for a little and then add another layer of caramel if desired (we did!). Add Nutella on top, if desired.
4. Place chocolate chips in a double boiler and stir until chocolate is completely melted and smooth. microwave safe container and microwave for 1 minute and stir until smooth. Spoon chocolate all over the pretzels (including the bottom) and then smooth the top with a butter knife (I used this method to spread the chocolate but Savory Sweet Life used this way instead: Place the pretzel on a fork and carefully dip the pretzels in the chocolate rocking the pretzels side to side to get the pretzel bars completely coated). 
5. Sprinkle sea salt over the chocolate, if desired.
6. Place the parchment-lined baking sheet in the refrigerator for 20 minutes or the freezer for 10 minutes to help harden the chocolate coating.