Twix Bars

Several weeks ago, my friend Whitney sent me a link to the Hoosier Homemade blog - and more specifically, to the Twix bar recipe. It reminded her of the toffee cracker recipe I make, and she said she thought of me when she saw it.

I wanted to make it right away but I kept forgetting to pick up club crackers at the store (and apparently to write it down on the shopping list). So...I just made it for the first time this month, and I absolutely fell in love with it. I made a 9x13 for work and they gobbled it right up. I took it to game night this past week, too, and they declared it a keeper.

So - full credit to Hoosier Homemade (a blog that also has a number of other yummy looking ideas) - but here was my experience in making Twix bars!

The Recipe

Club crackers (approximately 50 crackers)
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup white sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup milk chocolate chips

Line half the crackers in a greased 9x13 baking dish. Combine graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, white sugar, milk, and butter in sauce pan and stir until boiling. Boil for 5 minutes. Pour mixture over crackers, then top with remaining half of crackers. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Combine peanut butter and milk chocolate chips in microwave-safe bowl. Melt and spread over crackers. Allow to harden, cut, and serve.

I have incorrectly represented the butter in this picture. It's half a CUP, not half a STICK. Make sure you get the whole stick of butter! I was also very excited to see Meijer has their own brand of graham cracker crumbs. Little cheaper!
Line the pan with the crackers - I can get about 9 crackers per row, but depending on the shape of your pan, you may be able to put in more or less.

The pan doesn't have to be huge. I put in the crumbs and sugars first.

Then I add the milk and butter. I cut the butter into small pieces first to help it melt faster. (Because, you know, I'm impatient that way.)

When you first start stirring, it will be thick and grainy from the crumbs.

It smooths out as you begin to stir. Make sure you stir constantly or the sugar will burn on the bottom.

It will start to look like this as it goes into a good boil:

Pour over the crackers....

Add the second layer of crackers, pressing them down into the caramelized mixture. Be careful not to burn yourself!

When it's time to put together the frosting, measure out the peanut butter and chocolate chips. (I put in a little more than a cup because one can never have too much chocolate.)

I melted it for about a minute and it stirred into this smooth mixture.

Spread onto the top of the crackers.....

Happiness.

Be prepared for no leftovers!