Crumbly shortbread biscuit, topped with dairy-free caramel and dark chocolate. These gorgeous homemade vegan twix bars are a sure-fire hit!
When I told DH I was making vegan millionaire’s shortbread he said something like, “Vegan millionaires? That’s a bit niche isn’t it? There can’t be many of them around!” Oh, how we laughed…
Ahem. Making a gooey vegan caramel has long been a goal of mine, just because caramel is so delicious, and dairy seems increasingly to disagree with me. (The dairy intolerance is no big surprise – my Mum and brothers have been dairy-free for years. It just took me a while to catch up.) Also, making a dairy-free caramel means that delicious caramel desserts can be made parve – brilliant!
Millionaire’s Shortbread – or Twix?
And what better place to start with vegan caramel, than these gorgeous chocolate caramel shortbread slices? Growing up, these were always called millionaire’s shortbread, and it was years and years before I realised that they’re basically homemade twix bars – biscuit on the bottom, caramel in the middle, chocolate on the top! The benefit of making them yourself doesn’t stop at their vegan-ness though, it also means you can adjust the ratio of biscuit:caramel:chocolate to suit your personal taste. YUM.
Birthday treats!
I made a test batch of these for a family reunion, where it was generally agreed that while they were extremely delicious, they needed thicker biscuit and thinner caramel. I guess I got carried away with the brilliance of the parve caramel layer. This recipe has now been finessed, and the photos show the batch I made for my birthday tea a little while ago. The chocolate topping cracked a bit when I cut them, but I think it adds to their homemade ‘rustic’ chic. They tasted gorgeous.
Assuming that these don’t all get scoffed immediately, they do keep for a week or two in a box in the fridge. You’ll need willpower though. And the best part is, you don’t even have to be a vegan millionaire to eat them.
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Vegan millionaire's shortbread bars (Twix bars)
Ingredients
- 200 g vegan margarine (scant 1 cup)
- 100 g golden caster sugar (approx. ½ cup)
- 300 g plain flour (approx. 1¾ cups + 2 tbsp)
- 400 ml tin coconut milk (approx. 1¾ cups)
- 1-2 tablespoon coconut oil (optional)
- 100 g light brown sugar (approx. ½ cup)
- 200 g dark chocolate (approx. 7 oz)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a 20 x 30 cm (8 x 12 inch) shallow baking tin with greaseproof paper.
- Cream the margarine and caster sugar until fluffy and pale. Mix in the flour and blend to give a stiff dough.
- Press the dough into the prepared tin and squash and smooth into an even layer. Prick all over with a fork, then bake in the prepared oven at 180°C (350°F) for 20-25 minutes until light golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
- Meanwhile make the caramel. Put the coconut milk, coconut oil and brown sugar into a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer, stirring, over a medium heat. Continue to cook, stirring, for 30-40 minutes until the caramel is thickened and darker in colour. Be extremely careful as the caramel will be dangerously hot!
- Carefully pour the caramel over the cooled biscuit and spread out with a spatula into an even layer. Place into the fridge to set.
- Once the caramel layer has firmed up slightly (20-30 minutes), melt the dark chocolate, either carefully in the microwave, or in a bowl over a pan of simmering water. Gently spread the chocolate over the caramel, taking care not to disturb the caramel layer. Return to the fridge for the chocolate to set.
- When ready to serve, remove from the tin by lifting the greaseproof paper. Use a large, sharp knife to cut into squares. (Heating the knife before cutting will help to cut through the chocolate without breaking it.) Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
I’m adding this recipe to a few foodie link-ups. Tea Time Treats is organised by Lavender & Lovage and The Hedgecombers, who also hosts this month. Since I made these vegan millionaire’s shortbread as part of my birthday tea, they’re in!
I’m also linking up to CookBlogShare hosted by Snap Happy Bakes, and Bake of the Week hosted by Casa Costello.
Nateesha
Made this and wasted two perfect dark chocolate slabs of chocolate as a result,the caramel recipe does not work tastes like sweetened coconut milk will not reuse this recipe future.
Helen
Hi Nateesha. I’m sorry you didn’t have success making these. The filling does take quite a long time to cook and turn into caramel, about 30-40 minutes of bubbling, and if you don’t let it cook for long enough then it won’t thicken properly and will taste like sweetened coconut milk because that’s still what it is! Sorry to hear you won’t be trying again – if you can persevere with the caramel it’s really worth it in the end. All the best, Helen.
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
This looks incredible! I love Twix and I am trying to eat more vegan food, so this is perfect.
Helen
Thanks Dannii! Happy to help 😀
Helen at Casa Costello
Brilliant idea – I find shop bought Millionaire’s shortbread too sickly so would be really interested to try your recipe. Thanks so much for joining in with #Bakeoftheweek x
Helen
Thanks Helen. They’re still pretty sweet, but at least you can adjust the amount of caramel & chocolate to your taste. And cut them smaller, if you must!
Elizabeth
I had no idea Twix and Millionaire’s shortbread were virtually the same thing, but thinking about it that makes total sense! Gosh your recipe has me salivating!
Helen
Thanks Elizabeth. I wonder which came first?
Emily
Drool! You would hardly think it was vegan! x
Helen
LOL! No animals involved in the creation of these delicious yummies!
Fuss Free Helen
When I was little my favourite chocolate was a Twix, and now I nearly always choose Millionaire’s shortbread if it is on offer when out. I’ve never actually connected that effectively they are the same thing.
Helen
Maybe its the shape that’s confounding? If millionaire’s shortbread came in fingers instead of squares it would be much more obvious.
hijackedbytwins
Oh Wow!!! This has been pinned on my to try board. These not only look delicious but sound amazing! Thank you for joining in with #CookBlogShare x
Helen
Thanks! Let me know how you get on with them…
midgie
These look fab! and Happy birthday! January birthdays are the best… I had a vegan chicolate fudge cake for mine in the week! Midge x
Helen
Thanks Midgie, and happy birthday to you! Chocolate fudge cake sound delicious!
Eb Gargano
Yum! These look fab. And the caramel looks so like regular caramel…does it taste the same? Eb x
Helen
Thanks Eb. Yes, the caramel does taste just like regular caramel. I grilled my brother, who had enthusiastically eaten several slices, as to whether there was even a hint of coconut, but he said he couldn’t taste it at all. And I have to agree with him!
Hayley (@SnapHappyBakes)
Oh my word these look devine! It’s nice to see something seriously naughty in January 🙂 Yum! Thanks for sharing with #CookBlogShare
Angela / Only Crumbs Remain
Ooh those look so good. They were always called millionaires shortbread when we were growing up too 😉 You know, I’d not really thought of them as a Twix until you mentioned it; you’re so right 🙂 #Cookblogshare
Angela x
Ceri @Natural Kitchen Adventures
I adore millionaires shortbread but can never be bothered to make it myself as there are so many aspects – well done, these look lush!
Helen
Thanks Ceri. It is a bit of effort, so I only make it on special occasions! These were for my birthday tea 🙂
Sus Davy
Horay! A millionaires shortbread which I can eat (as I am trying my darned hardest to be vegan!) these look fab!
Helen
Happy to oblige Sus! Good luck with the vegan diet. I think being able to eat plenty of yummy chocolate and caramel treats makes the rest of it much easier 🙂
Katie Bryson (@cookingkt)
I’m a huge fan of millionaire’s shortbread as it’s something my mum baked on a weekly basis for a market stall. I’ve often made her recipe, but really fancy trying out your vegan version as it looks super delish and the ingredients sound pretty good too.
Helen
Thanks Katie! I’ve always loved the stuff too. So pleased to have made a dairy-free version so I can still enjoy it 🙂
choclette
I’ve been meaning to make twix bars for forever. These look fabulous and now I really really want to try a bit.
Helen
Thanks Choclette. Seize the moment and make some – you won’t regret it 😀
Lucy @ BakingQueen74
Intriguied by this recipe! I never knew you could make such a recipe vegan! fantastic stuff. As it is more healthy than regular I think I will have three slices. 🙂
Helen
Is vegan healthier? I’m prepared to convince myself if it means I can eat three!
kerrycooks
Haha a vegan millionaire doesn’t sound too bad to me! And these look absolutely delicious!
Helen
If any spare ones come along I’ll send them your way! LOL!
CoffeeObsessed
Fab looking recipe. I have vegan family so will pin this for when they come over! Thanks
Helen at Casa Costello
I imagine these to be rather difficult to leave at just one! What a creative recipe x
Helen
Thanks Helen. They are quite moreish, now you mention it 😀
Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence
I could probably eat 3 or 4 of these in a row. They sound SO delicious. Well done!
Helen
Thanks Brandon! I suspect I could too…. oops!
April @ Girl Gone Gourmet
The first line made me laugh 🙂 These look so good – hard to eat just one, I bet 🙂
Helen
Thanks April – I’m glad somebody appreciates DH’s sense of humour! It is quite hard to eat just one, as it happens. Fortunately the recipe makes quite a lot 😉
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
Your bars look scrumptious. We are going to be going out and about and that would make a perfect snack!! Great recipe!!
Helen
Thanks Marisa! They are certainly portable!
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche
Definitely looks like you succeeded in making a fabulous vegan caramel – these look amazing! You’d never miss the dairy.
Helen
Thanks Becca. Yes, people were amazed when I said these were dairy-free. Now I keep coming up with more ideas for using vegan caramel 🙂 Watch this space…
efwalt
These look fantastic but less caramel?! Am I sure I read that right…more is always better surely? Fab recipe 🙂
Helen
You can have too much of a good thing, you know. Apparently…
fabfood4all
I pinned these earlier today as they just look incredible, the perfect tea time treat:-)
Helen
Thank you! Yes, delicious with a cuppa 😀
Jo of Jo's Nursery
I love Twix bars and would love to make them myself. Your recipe has showed me how easy it is. Thank you
Helen
Thanks Jo! You’re right, it’s not difficult at all. A little bit time consuming, but definitely worth it!
munchiesandmunchkins
Wow these look awesome. I love Twix bars and my daughter has loads of allergies so may have to try these with gluten free flour for her. Have pinned.
Helen
Thanks! Let me know how you get on with a gluten-free version. It just shows that allergies needn’t stop you enjoying delicious treats!
Jenna von
Not vegan or dairy free but these still look so amazing!
This is my favourite treat will definitely be giving them a go.
Thank you for the recipe.
Jenna von x
Helen
Thanks Jenna 🙂
I hope my vegan version is a favourite too!
fashionmommywm
Not a vegan by they look so delicious!
Rhian Westbury
I am so excited about this recipe. I have been eating a vegan diet for a few months and nothing has looked so appetising. I am definitely going to be giving these a go in the next few weeks x
Helen
Thanks Rhian! You should check out my 3-ingredient vegan chocolate tart, too 🙂