Wholesome Peanut Butter Twix Bars (gluten free!)

I wasn’t the very best eater as a baby. After faculty I’d sometimes head to the merchandising machine and pick zebra muffins 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 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 not often 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, keep in mind my salted tahini caramel millionaire bars? Or how about these fabulous higher for you peanut butter cups? SO GOOD.

At the moment’s recipe is all about my real love for peanut butter twix bars. The recipe relies off of my millionaire bars that you simply 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

Identical to basic twix bars, this wholesome, home made 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 superb blanched almond flour for the very best texture.
• Coconut oil: you’ll want some coconut oil to provide the bottom a bit 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: keep in mind to make use of a pure, drippy peanut butter for the “caramel” layer. I like Wild Mates peanut butter, and you should use the code ‘AMBITIOUS15’ for 15% off!
• Chocolate chips: you’ll soften some chocolate chips with a bit 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 a bit salt. Discover ways to make your personal vanilla right here!

Elective ingredient swaps

I like to recommend sticking with the recipe as carefully as doable so that you’ve excellent home made peanut butter twix bars each time, but when it is advisable to swap components right here’s what I can advocate:

• For the coconut oil: be at liberty 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 very best taste. You possibly can even use crunchy peanut butter for those who’d like!

Can I exploit common flour?

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

The right 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 clean.
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. Once 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 protected dish. Pour the chocolate over the peanut butter and tilt the pan to ensure it’s evenly lined. 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 possibly can reduce the bars and luxuriate in!

Assist! The tops of my bars cracked

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

Suggestions for excellent peanut butter twix bars

• Use the best pan. Remember to use an 8×8 inch pan with the intention to get the best 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, superb almond flour) similar to you’d with brown sugar.
• Don’t skip the coolness time. I do know it’s tempting to place all the layers collectively with out ready on the coolness time, however you actually do want the peanut butter and chocolate layers to sit back fully in order that the bars maintain collectively properly.

The right way to retailer wholesome twix bars

• To retailer: these wholesome peanut butter twix bars must be saved lined within the fridge till you’re able to serve them. They’ll keep good in your fridge for about 1 week.
• To freeze: be at liberty to maintain them in a freezer-safe container in your freezer for as much as 1 month. In case you do preserve them in your freezer, make 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 home made, wholesome peanut butter twix bars! In case you make them make sure you go away a remark and a ranking so I understand how you appreciated them. Take pleasure in, xo! 

Wholesome Peanut Butter Twix Bars (vegan & gluten free)

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook dinner Time 15 minutes minutes

Complete 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 home made take in your favourite sweet bar!

Substances

• For the shortbread base:
• 1 ½ cups packed superb blanched almond flour (I exploit Bob’s Purple 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 necessary 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 roughly 2 minutes till caramel begins to barely bubble, stirring often. Pour over barely cooled crust. 

• Place in fridge for a minimum of Half-hour-1 hour to fully 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 protected bowl and microwave on excessive in 30 second increments, stirring in between till chocolate is totally melted. In case you desire, you too can 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 must be saved lined within the fridge till able to serve.

Recipe Notes

These wholesome peanut butter twix bars must be saved lined within the fridge till you are able to serve them. They’ll keep good in your fridge for about 1 week, however you too can preserve them in a freezer-safe container in your freezer for as much as 1 month.
See the complete publish for ideas, tips & methods to customise these twix bars.

Diet

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

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

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