So, Halloween was the time of year when I always went all-in on the candy train. Peanut butter cups always were my favorites, but Twix were a close second.
I wasnt a huge caramel fan as a kid (I know, I know), but Twix were a different story entirely. Although they were loaded with a ribbon of caramel, it was that crunch from the shortbread cookie that made it all worth it for me.
Plus the chocolate. Always the chocolate.
So I decided to veganize the treat that made me like caramel. And oh boy, was it a delicious decision!
It all starts with the shortbread. IMO, soft and chewy cookies are way better than crunchy cookies. Unless that cookie is a shortbread.
Ironically, Ive always had a soft spot for crisp shortbread cookies. That butteriness. That sweetness. I love love love them. And believe it or not, making your own shortbread cookies are so so simple.
You take vegan butter and raw cane sugar (any granulated sugar should work here except for maybe coconut sugar), and beat them together until light and fluffy. Then you add some flour, mix, and youre done. So simple right?
And the resulting cookie is just like the shortbread cookies I remembered as a kid. Even though its 100% whole wheat! I have fallen completely head-over-heels for Bobs Red Mill Organic Ivory Wheat Flour. Its a 100% whole wheat flour made from whole grain white wheat berries, but it results in a light baked good. Imagine that: a whole wheat baked good that isnt dry and crumbly. Its a reality with this flour! Obsessed.
Then the caramel! I posted a Vegan Pumpkin Spice Caramel Sauce to my site a few weeks ago, and thats what I used here. Its sweet, sticky, and so simple to make at home. Youre welcome to use your favorite vegan caramel sauce in its place, or you could even try making a date caramel if you want to keep it on the healthier side!
And then each bite gets coated in a blanket of vegan dark chocolate. My favorite part! Its rich and sweet and balances out all of the flavors so well.
I hope you get a chance to make these cuties for Halloween this year! A whole grain treat that tastes like a classic candy bar? Ill take that every dang day. :)
Alexa Peduzzi is the fruit & veggie-obsessed girl behindFooduzzi, the plant-based and gluten free food blog. Shes a self-trained cook with a special weakness for cookies, peanut butter, and roasted broccoli. She currently works as the Community and Event Specialist at Food Blogger Pro, and she lives in Pittsburgh, PA with her boyfriend, Mark, and cat, Maya. FollowFooduzzifor more plant-based and gluten free recipes!
