Stix: Shortbread Cookie Bars - Au Naturale!

​If you've been a fan of Twix(TM) candy in the past but value your health more now, then this is the recipe for you!  These Stix bars taste very similar, better actually, but contain much more natural ingredients. Similar to the store-bought variety, they contain 3 layers: shortbread cookie, caramel, and chocolate.  But, nothing artificial, no additives, and no refined sugars.  Just pure YUM!

This is the ingredient list for Twix(TM) bars (with about a dozen ingredients that I certainly wouldn't recommend!):
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MILK CHOCOLATE (SUGAR, COCOA BUTTER, CHOCOLATE, SKIM MILK, LACTOSE, MILKFAT, SOY LECITHIN, PGPR, ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS), SUGAR, ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), PALM OIL, CORN SYRUP, SKIM MILK, DEXTROSE, LESS THAN 2% - FOOD STARCH-MODIFIED, SALT, COCOA POWDER, BAKING SODA, SOY LECITHIN, ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR.

Remember: Sweet treats are just that... a treat.  So, I don't suggest eating a pan-full. The Stix are so rich, you may only want a small portion anyway.  My kids and husband absolutely LOVED this recipe, especially the nice crunchy layer.  No one will ever know they're "paleo treats"!


The Shortbread Cookie Crust:

• 2 cups blanched almond flour or cashew flour
• 1/2 cup organic coconut palm sugar OR Swerve (lower-carb option)
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup soft butter OR ghee OR coconut oil
• 1/4 tsp real sea salt
• 1 tsp vanilla

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Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients together with an electric mixer.
2. Use a rubber spatula to press the batter as flat as possible into an un-greased 9X13 glass baking dish. Or, for ease of removing from the dish, line it with parchment paper first.
3. Bake at 300 degrees for 40 minutes, until golden brown.
4. Allow to cool completely. It will turn from soft to hard & crunchy.

I used cashew meal here. It's a little more coarse than almond flour.

​The Caramel Layer:

• 3/4 cup grassfed butter (12 Tbsp)
• 1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp raw honey

Directions:

1. Simmer on medium-low until nice & thick (approx 30 -40 minutes on the stove).  It will definitely be a different (thicker) consistency once it's turned into caramel, but don't burn it - be patient! 
2. Pour the caramel over the cooled cookie crust and spread it out evenly.
3. Cool the pan in the fridge until the caramel is hardened and solid.

The caramel is just about ready!!

The caramel spread over the cooled shortbread cookie crust. Allow the caramel to harden in the fridge before adding the chocolate layer.

​The Chocolate Layer:

• 1 cup Enjoy Life Mini Chips
• 2 Tbsp coconut oil or palm oil shortening

Directions:

1. Melt the 2 ingredients in a small saucepan pan on low heat.
2. Pour the chocolate mixture over the cooled caramel layer & spread out evenly.
3. Refrigerate again to harden the chocolate.
4. Cut the Stix bars into any shape you wish. (I cut them into skinny rectangles, like the store bought Twix candy.)
5. Store in the fridge.

THESE ARE DELICIOUS!!!!!

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