I wasn’t the perfect eater as a toddler. After college I’d usually head to the merchandising machine and select zebra truffles 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 have been my weak spot. 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’ve realized higher consuming habits and don’t crave the sweets of my childhood, but in addition as a result of I like to bake at residence 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 this moment’s recipe is all about my real love for peanut butter twix bars. The recipe is predicated off of my millionaire bars that you just all fell in love with, however as a substitute 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?
Do-it-yourself peanut butter twix bars components
Identical 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 have to make them:
- Almond flour: the gluten free shortbread base is made with effective blanched almond flour for the perfect texture.
- Coconut oil: you’ll want some coconut oil to offer 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 Pals peanut butter, and you need to 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 happy to make use of dairy free chocolate chips!
- Baking staples: don’t neglect the vanilla extract and just a little salt. Discover ways to make your personal vanilla right here!
Elective ingredient swaps
I like to recommend sticking with the recipe as intently as potential so that you’ve got excellent do-it-yourself peanut butter twix bars each time, but when you must swap components right here’s what I can advocate:
- For the coconut oil: be happy to make use of melted butter or vegan butter as a substitute.
- 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’ll be able to even use crunchy peanut butter when you’d like!
Can I take advantage of common flour?
Sadly, no, I’d not advocate utilizing common flour rather than the almond flour as a result of the feel and taste might be a lot completely different.
The way to make wholesome peanut butter twix bars
- 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.
- Make the peanut butter layer. As soon as your shortbread base is completed 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.
- 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.
- 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 verify it’s evenly lined. Place it again within the fridge for 20 minutes till the chocolate has hardened.
- Slice & devour. As soon as the chocolate has hardened you’ll be able to minimize the bars and luxuriate in!
Assist! The tops of my bars cracked
I’ve had a couple of folks inform me that once they went to slice their peanut butter twix bars the chocolate half cracked in a couple of 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 precise pan. Make sure to use an 8×8 inch pan with a view to get the precise form and consistency. A bigger pan will make the bars too flat.
- Pack your almond flour. You’ll need to use packed almond flour (and ensure it’s blanched, effective almond flour) similar to you’ll with brown sugar.
- Don’t skip the nippiness time. I do know it’s tempting to place all the layers collectively with out ready on the nippiness time, however you actually do want the peanut butter and chocolate layers to relax 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 lined 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. In the event you do maintain them in your freezer, remember to depart 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 like these do-it-yourself, wholesome peanut butter twix bars! In the event you make them remember to depart a remark and a score so I understand how you preferred them. Take pleasure in, xo!
Wholesome Peanut Butter Twix Bars (vegan & gluten free)
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!
Substances
- For the shortbread base:
-
1 ½
cups
packed effective blanched almond flour (I take advantage of 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 vital to make use of an 8×8 inch as a 9×9 inch pan could also be too massive.
-
In a medium bowl add the almond flour, coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract and salt. Combine along with a fork till it kinds a pleasant thick crumb texture. Add to pan and use your fingers to evenly press down into the pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Permit 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 roughly 2 minutes till caramel begins to barely bubble, stirring steadily. Pour over barely cooled crust.
-
Place in fridge for no less than 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 velocity 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. In the event you choose, it’s also possible to 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 no less than 20 minutes till chocolate is totally hardened and bars are cooled.
-
Take away bars from pan and minimize into 16 bars (that resemble twix bars). To do that, minimize total pan of bars in half, after which minimize 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 lined within the fridge till able to serve.
Recipe Notes
These wholesome peanut butter twix bars needs to be stored lined within the fridge till you are able to serve them. They are going to keep good in your fridge for about 1 week, however it’s also possible to maintain them in a freezer-safe container in your freezer for as much as 1 month.
See the total put up for ideas, methods & methods to customise these twix bars.
Vitamin
Servings: 16 bars
Serving dimension: 1 bar
Energy: 255kcal
Fats: 20.4g
Saturated fats: 8.8g
Carbohydrates: 16.9g
Fiber: 2.1g
Sugar: 12.9g
Protein: 4.9g
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Bold Kitchen | Images by: Eat Love Eats
This put up was initially printed on July twenty sixth, 2019, and republished on March eighth, 2023.
