Homemade Twix Bars

1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup butter, at room temperature

CARAMEL LAYER
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons corn syrup
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

CHOCOLATE LAYER
2 cups chocolate chips
1 teaspoon vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Coat a 9x9-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray.

In a small bowl, mix together sugar and flour, then cut in the butter with a fork or pastry cutter until mixture has formed into evenly-sized crumbs.  Press the mixture into the bottom of prepared pan and bake 20 minutes, until the edges start to turn a golden brown.

Remove from oven and let shortbread cool completely.

FOR CARAMEL LAYER:
Combine the cup butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and sweetened condensed milk in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.  Bring to a boil, stirring ocnstantly.  Continue stirring 5 minutes, and then remove from heat.  Stir an additional 2 to 3 minutes.

Pour caramel mixture over the shortbread crust.  Let caramel cool until it starts to firm up.

FOR CHOCOLATE LAYER:
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt together the choloate chips and vegetable oil on high power for 1 minute.  Stir.  Continue to heat and stir the chocolate mixture in 15-second intervals until it is completely smooth.

Pour chocolate over the caramel layer and let it cool.

Once the chocolate has hardened, cut into squares with a warm knife.  Makes 9 bars.

(Source:  Sweets & Treats with Six-Sisters Stuff--100+ Desserts, Gift Ideas, and Traditions for the Whole Family, pgs. 2,3.)