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6 Secrets to Make Your Matcha Twix Bars Perfect

Quick Summary

  • Basically, the Matcha Twix bar has three layers: a shortbread base, a Matcha caramel, and a vegan white chocolate coating.
  • It’s made entirely from plant ingredients, so you can also make it if you avoid dairy and eggs.
  • One bar contains about 200 calories and 14 grams of sugar, therefore it’s an occasional treat, not an everyday snack.
  • In this article, you’ll also get 6 secrets for the perfect texture, as well as variations, storage tips, and answers to the most common questions.

Matcha Twix bars that are crumbly, creamy, and crunchy at the same time, and moreover, made entirely from plants? If you also love the chocolate caramel bars from the store, but you now choose more mindfully what goes on your plate, then you’re in the right place. So today I’ll show you how to make a sweet treat at home that will also amaze your guests.

This treat with three layers consists of a shortbread base, a green Matcha caramel, and also a thin white chocolate coating. You don’t need a pastry chef diploma for it, but rather just a little patience and a few tried and true tricks. Now I’ll therefore share all of these tricks with you.

Vegan Matcha Twix bars with white chocolate coating and Matcha drizzle on a plate

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What Is a Matcha Twix Bar, and Why Will You Fall in Love With It?

Surely you know those Twix chocolate bars where crumbly cookie, sticky caramel, and chocolate come together. This Matcha Twix recipe is, in fact, a fresh, green version of this classic trio, made entirely from plants. The mildly bitter, grassy flavor of Matcha also perfectly balances the sweetness of the caramel and the white chocolate.

So let’s see what layers it has:

  • The base is a crumbly dough with a buttery flavor, which you make with vegan butter, flour, and a little sugar, and then bake until golden brown.
  • The middle layer, meanwhile, is a creamy, green caramel that you cook from condensed oat milk, sugar, coconut oil, and Matcha powder.
  • Finally, vegan white chocolate goes on top, which sets into a thin, crunchy shell.

The whole thing takes about two hours, but most of it is chilling time. In other words, you can do something else in the meantime, while the fridge does the work for you. Source

Why Does Matcha Go Into the Caramel?

If you’ve read my Matcha articles before, then you know how much I love this green powder. Not only because of its color and flavor, but also because it contains valuable plant compounds. So let’s see what it adds to this sweet treat!

The Benefits of Matcha Powder

With traditional green tea, you steep the leaves and then throw them away, whereas with Matcha, you consume the leaf itself, ground into powder. Therefore, many more catechins get into your body. Source

As part of a balanced diet, drinking Matcha regularly can also:

  • Contribute, first of all, to your body getting more antioxidants.
  • Help you concentrate calmly, because L-theanine and caffeine together give you balanced alertness.
  • Support steady energy levels, so there are no sudden highs and crashes.
Matcha powder, bowls of Matcha tea, and a bamboo whisk on a wooden table

Honestly About Sugar and Heat

Antioxidants are sensitive to heat, so part of them may break down while you cook the caramel. If you want all the benefits of Matcha, then your daily latte is a better choice.

Moreover, this Matcha Twix bar also contains sugar and fat. So let’s look at the numbers in a clear table:

What we look atValue
Energy per bar (out of 12 bars)about 200 kcal
Carbohydrates per barabout 30 g
Sugar per barabout 14 g
Fat per barabout 9 g
Caffeine in a cup of Matcha (about 8 oz)38-89 mg, in coffee 100-120 mg

What does this mean in practice, then? Above all, it means that this is a real vegan dessert, not a diet food. However, if you replace the chocolate bars from the store full of additives with it, then that’s already a smart step. You decide what goes into it, and moreover, one bar fully satisfies your sweet cravings. Source

Why It’s Worth Choosing a Vegan Treat Sometimes

Perhaps you’re now asking what makes a vegan dessert better than a traditional one, then. It’s important to clarify, however, that a treat made from plants doesn’t automatically mean low in calories or healthy. Still, it has a few advantages, so it’s worth making one from time to time.

  • If you’re sensitive to dairy, or someone in your family avoids dairy products, then everyone can safely eat this cake.
  • By using vegan butter and coconut oil, you completely leave out eggs and dairy, so you can more easily adapt to different diets.
  • With a homemade vegan dessert, you know exactly what goes into it, and moreover, it has none of the preservatives typical of store products.
  • The combination of Matcha and white chocolate is also a little more special than the usual cakes, so it holds its own on a birthday or holiday table too.

The most important thing, however, is to eat it with pleasure. If a sweet treat makes you happy, and meanwhile you don’t have to give up your goals, then you’ve found the balance. After all, this is worth much more than any strict rule.

Stacked vegan Matcha Twix bars showing the shortbread, caramel, and white chocolate layers

6 Secrets to the Perfect Matcha Twix Bars

1. Work With Ingredients at Room Temperature

Take the vegan butter out of the fridge in time, so it softens enough. Cold butter, however, won’t blend evenly with the sugar, so the dough will be lumpy. If all the ingredients are the same temperature, then you’ll get a much smoother and more even base.

2. Don’t Overwork the Shortbread Dough

The secret of a good shortbread dough is to mix the flour into the butter mixture only until it just comes together. If you work it too long, then the dough becomes hard and chewy instead of crumbly. Press it evenly into the pan, and then bake it at 350°F (175°C) for 12-15 minutes until the edges turn golden brown.

3. Sift the Matcha Powder and Choose Good Quality

Matcha tends to clump, so always add it to the caramel through a sieve. This way, the green layer will also be even and velvety. Also pay attention to the color: a vibrant green powder is fresh, while a yellowish or grayish one has already oxidized, so its flavor will also be flat.

Which type should you choose, then? Ceremonial grade is finer, but it’s also much more expensive. For cooked caramel, however, culinary grade Matcha powder works perfectly, because its flavor is more intense and it stands out better next to the sugar.

Whisked Matcha tea in a bowl with a bamboo whisk, honey, and cookies

4. Don’t Leave the Caramel Alone

Cook the caramel over medium-low heat while stirring constantly, for about 5-7 minutes until it thickens. If it gets too thick, then stir in a little plant milk. And if it’s still too runny, then cook it for a few more minutes until it coats the back of a spoon.

5. Be Patient When Chilling

Only pour the caramel onto the completely cooled shortbread, and then put it in the fridge for at least an hour. If you try to slice or coat it while it’s warm, the layers run together. Patience really pays off here, because this way you’ll get beautiful slices with sharp edges.

6. Dip Them in Chocolate Twice

If you’d like a thicker, crunchier chocolate shell, then dip the bars twice. After the first layer, let them set in the fridge for a few minutes, and then the second one can come. Finally, chill them for another half hour, and your impressive treat of bakery quality is ready.

Vegan Matcha Twix Bars

A crumbly buttery base, creamy Matcha caramel, and also a vegan white chocolate coating. It’s a green version of the classic Twix made from plants, so you can easily make it at home.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Setting Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine Vegan
Servings 12 bars
Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the shortbread base:

  • 125 g all purpose flour
  • 115 g vegan butter room temperature
  • 50 g granulated sugar

For the Matcha caramel:

  • 300 g sweetened condensed oat milk
  • 100 g granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil
  • 2 tbsp Matcha powder

For the coating:

  • 180 g vegan white chocolate

Instructions
 

Shortbread base

  • First, preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
  • Then beat the soft vegan butter with the sugar in a bowl until fluffy, which takes about 2–3 minutes.
  • Next, add the flour and work it into a soft dough. Only mix until it comes together, otherwise the base will be hard.
  • Press it evenly into silicone molds or a baking pan lined with parchment paper.
  • Bake it for 12–15 minutes until the edges are lightly golden brown. Then let it cool completely.

Matcha caramel

  • Meanwhile, in a saucepan over medium heat, combine the condensed oat milk, the sugar, the coconut oil, and the Matcha powder. Then bring it to a boil while stirring constantly.
  • When it starts bubbling, lower the heat. Then keep stirring for another 5–7 minutes until it thickens like caramel.
  • Pour it over the cooled base, and then spread it evenly. Put it in the fridge or freezer for at least 1 hour so it sets.

Coating

  • Melt the white chocolate over a double boiler or in the microwave in 30 second intervals, while stirring until smooth.
  • Then remove the bars from the mold (if you use a baking pan, cut it into 12 bars). Dip each one into the chocolate so it’s completely coated.
  • Finally, place them on a tray lined with parchment paper. Chill them for another 30 minutes until the chocolate hardens.

Notes

If the caramel is too thick, then loosen it with a little plant milk. If it doesn’t thicken, then cook it for another 3–5 minutes over low heat.
For a thicker chocolate layer, dip the bars twice.
For a gluten free version, use a gluten free flour blend.
Storage: in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days, in the fridge for 1 week, in the freezer for 3 months. Thaw frozen bars overnight in the fridge.
The color and flavor of Matcha depend on its quality, so choose a bright green, preferably ceremonial grade powder.
Keyword Matcha bars, Matcha caramel, vegan dessert, vegan Matcha Twix
Vegan Matcha Twix bars on a plate with Matcha powder and caramel on the side

Variations If You’d Like to Experiment

Once you’ve made the basic version, then it’s time to play! I suggest, however, that you always change only one thing at a time, so you can see exactly which change you like best and which one is worth keeping. These variations also use the same base, so you can easily try them.

  • If you eat gluten free, then replace the regular flour with a gluten free flour blend, and everyone can eat it.
  • If you’re craving a crunchier texture, then mix half a cup of finely chopped almonds or walnuts into the shortbread dough.
  • If you’d like a fresher flavor, then add a few drops of peppermint extract to the caramel, which also goes perfectly with Matcha.
  • If your goal is a less sweet vegan dessert, then use dark chocolate instead of white chocolate, which gives a deeper, bolder flavor.
  • If you like surprising flavors, then a pinch of chili powder gives the caramel an exciting, spicy aftertaste.
  • If you’re looking for more natural sweetening, then you can also replace part of the sugar in the caramel with maple syrup.
  • If you’d like to decorate it, then sprinkle shredded coconut or finely chopped dried fruit onto the still soft chocolate.

Storage and Making It Ahead

A big advantage of this Matcha Twix bar is that you can also make it ahead. This especially comes in handy when you’re expecting guests or preparing for a holiday. So let’s see how to store it!

  • In an airtight container at room temperature, it generally stays delicious for about 3 days.
  • In the fridge, it even keeps for up to a week, and moreover, that’s where it best keeps its ideal texture.
  • In the freezer, separated with parchment paper, you can store it for up to 3 months, and then let it thaw overnight in the fridge before using it.

If you don’t have much time at once, then divide the work. You can also bake the shortbread base a day earlier, and similarly, you can make the caramel ahead. So on the big day, you only have to assemble the layers.

For what occasions do I recommend it, then? Almost any, of course! It’s also perfect for coffee with friends, a birthday table, or even as a gift. Wrap the bars one by one in parchment paper, tie them with a ribbon, and then put them in a pretty box. After all, a homemade treat is always more personal than a box of chocolates from the store. Moreover, thanks to its green color, it looks especially good in spring, at Easter, or at a garden party. If there are kids, however, keep in mind that Matcha contains caffeine. So give them only a small bite, and don’t offer it in the evening, so they can sleep peacefully. Also watch out for this yourself if you’re sensitive to caffeine, and choose something else instead in the late evening hours. Source

How Can the Matcha Twix Bar Fit Into Your Lifestyle Change?

A lifestyle change isn’t about restrictions, but rather about mindful choices. If you forbid yourself everything, then sooner or later a binge comes, and with it, the guilt. Therefore, it’s important to have treats that you can eat in a controlled way, with pleasure.

Here are a few tips, then, on how to fit it in smartly:

  • Take only one bar out of the fridge at a time, and then put the rest back, so it’s easier to stop.
  • Eat it slowly and mindfully with a cup of unsweetened tea, because this way you’ll enjoy it much more and feel full sooner.
  • If you’re planning a treat, then make your other meals that day lighter, rich in protein and vegetables.
  • You can also cut it into small cubes you can eat in one bite, so when you have guests, everyone can taste it, but no one eats too much. Served on a tray among colorful fruits, this vegan dessert will also be the real star of the table.

If you pay attention to these, then a vegan dessert like this won’t hold you back, but rather help you stick with it in the long run. After all, the best diet is the one you can follow with pleasure.

Vegan Matcha Twix bars with white chocolate and Matcha stripes, seen from above

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find condensed oat milk?

It’s increasingly available in larger supermarkets and health food stores, but you can also easily get it online. If you can’t find it, then you can also try it with condensed coconut milk, although the caramel will have a slight coconut flavor.

What kind of Matcha should I use for the caramel?

For cooked caramel, culinary grade Matcha powder is also perfect, and moreover, it’s much more affordable. The main thing, however, is that it’s bright green and fresh. So rather avoid yellowish or grayish powder.

What should I do if the caramel stayed too runny?

Put it back on the heat, and then cook it for a few more minutes while stirring constantly. Meanwhile, watch its texture, because the caramel thickens further as it cools. If it’s still too soft after cooling, then put the bar in the fridge for longer, since the cold helps a lot with setting.

Can I make it nut free?

Yes, the basic recipe doesn’t contain nuts, since they’re only among the variations. If you cook nut free, however, always check the labels of the vegan butter and the white chocolate too, because they may contain traces of nuts.

Can I reduce the amount of sugar?

You can replace part of the sugar in the caramel with maple syrup, and you can also choose dark chocolate for the coating. Start with small steps, though, because sugar also affects the texture, so with too little sugar, the caramel thickens less easily.

Why did the shortbread turn out hard?

Generally, the most common reason is that you worked it too long, or you added too much flour. It may also have baked too long. Next time, then, mix it only until it just comes together, and check it already at 12 minutes. After all, the dough is good when its edges are golden brown, while the center is still light.

Summary

This vegan Matcha Twix bar is proof that a treat made from plants can also be truly indulgent. A crumbly base, velvety green caramel, and crunchy white chocolate, and moreover, all of this without dairy and eggs. If you follow the 6 secrets, then you can make bars of bakery quality even on your first try.

Now it’s finally your turn! Choose your favorite variation, get the ingredients, and then make it this week. Also, tell me in the comments how it turned out, and save the recipe to Pinterest so you always have it on hand.