Twix [Candy Bar] Tart

Confession: I have never been a big candy bar eater. That’s due in large part to the fact that my mom never allowed much junk food in the house when we were kids. (Even my dad had to sneak his candy.) However, I did manage to get my hands on some candy bars back in the day (thanks to Halloween), and savored every last bite. I was always jealous of kids who whipped candy bars out of their lunchbox, but 25 years later, I’m grateful that my mom kept the junk to a minimum. In an attempt to make up for lost time, I currently have an obsession with recreating classic candy bars in my own kitchen. I just cannot quit things like homemade Snickers bars, peanut butter cups (even peanut butter eggs) and a pie based on the Take 5 bar. I just can’t. Which is why when I was flipping through one of my foodie magazines and saw a massive Twix tart, I couldn’t get it out of my head. It was begging to be made, and my stomach is oh-so-happy I followed through.

This tart has a shortbread crust base, which is awesome because it has a maintenance level of zero. No rolling out. No crimping. Just mix up the dough and press it into the tart pan; it couldn’t be easier. The shortbread base is topped with a layer of caramel that mimics the caramel in the Twix bar just perfectly. It’s not hard, it doesn’t ooze… it’s a fabulous soft and chewy caramel. The top of the tart is a simple layer of milk chocolate ganache, because a candy bar wouldn’t be a candy bar without milk chocolate.

The combination of all three is candy bar utopia.

Crunch, chew, and chocolate.

It’s all there… In perfection ratio and consistency.

I am certainly making up for my lack of candy bars as a kid!

Do you have a favorite?

Two years ago: Chicago-Style Deep-Dish Pizza
Three years ago: Moon Pies
Four years ago: Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread Cookies
Five years ago: Cucidati [Italian Fig Cookies]

Twix Tart

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Prep Time: 1 hour hr

Cook Time: 45 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr 45 minutes mins

A giant Twix tart with a shortbread crust, chewy caramel layer and topped with milk chocolate ganache.

4.19 (11 ratings)

Print Pin Rate

Ingredients

For the Shortbread Crust:

• ▢ 1½ cups (187.5 g) all-purpose flour
• ▢ ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon (0.25 teaspoon) salt
• ▢ 9 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cut into ½-inch cubes
• ▢ 1 egg, lightly beaten

For the Caramel Filling:

• ▢ ½ cup (119 ml) + 1 teaspoon heavy cream
• ▢ 4½ tablespoons (4.5 tablespoons) sweetened condensed milk
• ▢ ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ▢ 6 tablespoons Lyle's golden syrup
• ▢ 2 tablespoons water
• ▢ 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into small pieces

For the Milk Chocolate Ganache:

• ▢ 7 ounces (198.45 g) milk chocolate, finely chopped
• ▢ 5 tablespoons heavy cream

Instructions 

• Make the Shortbread Crust: Pulse the flour, sugar and salt together in the bowl of a food processor. Scatter the pieces of butter over the dry ingredients and pulse until the mixture looks like coarse sand and there are no pieces of butter larger than the size of a pea (about 5 to 10 pulses) Add the egg a little at a time, pulsing after each addition. Once all of the egg has been added, process until the dough forms large clumps (about 10 seconds).
• Turn the dough into a 13¾x4¼-inch rectangular tart pan and press into an even layer all over the bottom and up the sides of the tart pan. Run a rolling pin over the top of the tart pan to remove the excess dough. Place the dough-lined pan in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Pierce the dough all over with a fork, then cover the crust with aluminum foil, pressing the foil tightly against the crust and covering the sides. Place the tart pan on a baking sheet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until lightly browned. Carefully remove the foil. If the tart has puffed up at all, press it down gently with the back of a spoon. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and place the tart pan on a wire rack and allow to cool completely.
• Make the Caramel Filling: In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk, stirring to combine until the sweetened condensed milk is melted and incorporated into the cream. Remove from heat and cover to keep warm.
• Place the sugar, golden syrup, and water in a medium saucepan and warm over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar melts. Increase the heat to medium and cook, not stirring, until the mixture reaches 250 degrees F on a candy or instant-read thermometer. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter and the cream mixture (pour the cream mixture carefully, as the caramel will bubble up). Return to medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until it reaches 240 degrees F. Pour the caramel into the shortbread crust and allow to cool and set completely, at least 30 minutes.
• Make the Milk Chocolate Ganache: Place the chopped chocolate in a small bowl; set aside. Place the heavy cream in a small saucepan and bring to a rapid simmer over medium heat, then pour over the chocolate. Let sit for 2 minutes, then stir until completely smooth. Pour the ganache over the caramel layer, spreading it into an even layer with an offset spatula if necessary. Refrigerate the tart for at least 30 minutes to allow the ganache to set. Allow to sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before serving. Remove the tart from the pan, slice and serve. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container, or tightly wrapped in plastic wrap, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Notes

Note: Lyle's Golden Syrup is a sugar syrup that falls somewhere between honey and molasses. The company is based in the UK, but most grocery stores in the U.S. that have an international aisle stock it in the "British" section. You can also purchase it from Amazon and King Arthur Flour. Some readers have reported good results substituting corn syrup, while others have indicated that it did not work. Unfortunately, I can't guarantee results if a substitution is used.

Nutritional values are based on one serving

Calories: 809kcal, Carbohydrates: 97g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 46g, Saturated Fat: 28g, Cholesterol: 131mg, Sodium: 148mg, Potassium: 219mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 69g, Vitamin A: 1195IU, Vitamin C: 0.4mg, Calcium: 85mg, Iron: 2.5mg

Did you make this recipe?

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Author: Michelle Lettrich

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American