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twix bars with crushed candy canes

Healthy Peppermint Twix Bars (Vegan & Gluten-Free)

Festive and healthy peppermint twix bars made with an almond flour shortbread, and a super easy date-based caramel for less refined sugar!
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Chilling Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 35 minutes
Category Candy
Servings 12 Mini bars

Ingredients  

for the shortbread base

  • 3/4 cup (72g) fine blanched almond flour
  • 3 tbsp (25g) vegan butter cold
  • 2 tbsp (25g) granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp (50g) confectioners sugar
  • 1 tsp (5ml) vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 3-4 tbsp (44-59ml) water cold

for the date caramel

  • 1 cup Medjool Dates pitted
  • 2 tbsp (32g) creamy peanut butter
  • 4 tbsp (59ml) maple syrup
  • 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1/3 cup (53g) peanut halves (optional)

for the glaze & decoration

  • 6 oz semi-sweet chocolate blocks chopped into fine pieces
  • 2 oz white chocolate block or chips (optional) chopped into fine pieces
  • 1 regular size candy cane
  • 2 tbsp (29ml) coconut oil

Instructions 

for the shortbread

  • Preheat the over to 375°F then grease and line a 6x6 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
  • In a bowl or a food processor mix together the flour, vegan butter, granulated sugar, confectioners sugar and sea salt. Stream in vanilla extract and water. Pulse or mix by hand until the dough comes together when pressed, is slightly moist, and there are very few particles of dry almond flour.
  • Tip the dough into the prepared pan, and use your fingers or a flat cup to press the dough in an even 1/4 inch layer throughout the pan.
  • Bake the crust until light golden brown and set, about 15 minutes. Set aside and let cool slightly while you make the date caramel. Do not remove from the pan.

for the date caramel

  • Soak the pitted dates for 10 minutes in a small bowl filled with hot water. After soaking the dates should feel squishy and moist.
  • Drain the water, and put the dates into your blender. Blend on high speed until the dates are finely pureed and is starting to become gooey. Add in the peanut butter, maple syrup and sea salt. Continue to blend until the mixture is thick, creamy, and no chunks of date remain.
  • Spread the date caramel in an even layer over the slightly cooled shortbread, and sprinkle in the halved peanuts (if adding).
  • Place the entire baking pan into the freezer and let chill for a minimum of 2 hours ideally over night or until the caramel has hardened and does not squish when touched.

to assemble

  • Melt the chocolate in a double boiler by placing the finely chopped semi-sweet chocolate, and 1 tbsp of coconut oil in a bowl over a simmering pot of water. The bowl should not be touching the water or floating. Stir the chocolate with a spatula until full melted, glossy and falls off in ribbons. Remove the bowl from over the simmering water. Don't increase the heat or you will burn the chocolate and it will not glaze well. Alternatively, melt the chocolate at 10 second increments in the microwave, but watch it carefully and don't microwave too long or it will burn and seize up.
  • Remove the hardened caramel and biscuit sheet by lifting the parchment paper lining. Place onto a cutting board and, using a sharp knife that has been run under boiling water and wiped, cut into 6 one inch bars. Then cut each long bar into 2 three inch bars for a total of 12 ( 1" x 3" ) bars.
  • Dip the base of each bar into the melted chocolate, then place onto two wooden skewers. Spoon enough melted chocolate over the bar so it drips over all four sides. Use an off-set spatula to lightly smooth the top of the bar and wipe off excess chocolate. Transfer to a baking tray lined with parchment paper, sprinkle with crushed candy canes and repeat until all bars are covered. Freeze once more for 15 minutes or until hardened.
  • Optional: Repeat the melting steps for white chocolate adding the remaining 1tbsp of coconut oil. Once the first chocolate layer is frozen, use a narrow spoon to drizzle the white chocolate. Freeze again before serving.

Notes

SUBSTITUTIONS:
  • Almond flour can be subbed with oat or all purpose
  • All sugar can be omitted 
  • Vegan butter can be subbed for regular
  • Peanut nuts can be omitted 
  • Peanut butter can be subbed with any nut-free options as long as it is thick, tacky and creamy.