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This twix cheesecake has all your favorite caramel chocolate flavors!! Creamy Philadelphia style cheesecake with caramel sauce swirled into the cheesecake and a thick layer of chocolate ganache topped with twix candy bars and caramel sauce.
Yet again, Ryan’s co-workers have proven that they are dessert crazy. He brought this cheesecake to work at 7am and by 8:15am someone returned the empty pan to his desk.
So I’m pretty sure we can classify this recipe as a “gotta make” one!
This twix cheesecake has all your favorite twix flavors! The crunchy cookie texture from the graham cracker crust, the caramel swirled into the cheesecake, and the thick chocolate ganache topping! Then it’s topped with twix pieces!
If you want more caramel flavor, increase the amount of caramel sauce swirled into the cheesecake. AND you could always put chopped up twix pieces inside the cheesecake ?
How to Make Graham Cracker Crust for Cheesecake
4 INGREDIENT GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST
- graham cracker crumbs: did you know you can buy a box of graham cracker crumbs in the baking aisle of your grocery store? They are usually near the pre-made graham cracker pie crusts. I love using the store bought graham cracker crumbs because it saves times!
- brown sugar: adds a deep rich flavor to the crust and helps to bind the crumbs and butter together
- cinnamon: adds a little warmth and spice without being overawing
- butter: this most crucial ingredient in binding the crust together
Mix all the crust ingredients together and then firmly press the crust into the bottom and up the sides of a springform pan. Use the bottom of a measuring cup or bottom of a glass cup to help pack the crust.
How to Make Plain Cheesecake with Caramel Swirl
Our caramel swirl cheesecake recipe only calls for 5 ingredients!
- cream cheese: use three 8 oz packages. Be sure to use full fat, not low fat, cream cheese for best results.
- sugar: helps to balance the tanginess of the cream cheese.
- vanilla extract: just a teaspoon, but it enhances the flavor.
- eggs: eggs are the last ingredient that get mixed into the cheesecake batter. Be sure to mix them in, one at a time, just until the yolk breaks. Over beating the eggs is the number one cause of air bubbles and cracking.
- caramel sauce: heat up jarred caramel sauce to swirl into the cheesecake batter
How to Make the Perfect Twix Cheesecake
Every single cheesecake recipe I have on my site, I include two critical tips. Here are the 2 most important details to follow when making cheesecake..
1. Don’t be afraid of the water bath
2. Don’t rush the cooling process
Keep reading below for details on each tip!
How to Make a Cheesecake Water Bath
I know it sounds weird, putting your cheesecake in a water bath, but it’s the secret to creating moist, perfectly baked cheesecake. It’s really not scary.
The basics of a water bath: Place a springform pan inside a large cake or roasting pan, fill the roasting pan with about 1 inch of water and place in the oven.
How to Prevent your Cheesecake Water Bath from Leaking
This is the best trick ever to prevent your cheesecake water bath from leaking and ruining your cheesecake.
Place the springform pan inside a large oven safe turkey bag or slow cooker liner bag and roll down the top of the bag so it doesn’t cover the cheesecake. If you have a lot of excess bag space, twist one side tight and knot it so the bag is tight around the pan. Place the springform pan that’s inside the bag in the large roasting pan and fill with water.
The water bath will not leak into your cheesecake!
How to Cool Cheesecake
Remember, don’t rush the cooling process.
Once the cheesecake is done baking turn the oven off and gently remove the springform pan from the water bath and oven safe bag. Place the cheesecake on a baking sheet and return to the oven (oven is off) with the oven door cracked.
A slow cooling process will help prevent the cheesecake from cracking. Don’t forget to refrigerate your cheesecake over night before serving.
Tips for Twix Caramel Cheesecake
- Allow the cream cheese to come to room temperature before beating it. Room temperature cream cheese is easier to whip.
- The eggs are the last ingredient that get mixed into the cheesecake batter. Be sure to mix them in, one at a time, just until the yolk breaks. Over beating the eggs is the number one cause of air bubbles and cracking.
- Using a different size springform pan will alter the baking time. I used a 8 inch springform pan.
- Allow the cheesecake to cool in the oven (with the door cracked) for 1 hour.
How to Freeze a Whole Cheesecake
- Cool the cheesecake completely before freezing. You can allow it to cool on the counter or you can place it in the fridge over night to chill before freezing.
- Use a knife to remove the outer springform ring. Use the knife to gently remove the cheesecake from the bottom of the pan. Place the cheesecake on a round cardboard circle that’s been covered in aluminum foil. Make sure the cardboard circle is the same size as the cheesecake.
- Wrap the entire cheesecake (without any toppings) well in plastic wrap. Then wrap the cheesecake in aluminum foil for extra protection. Place in the freezer for up to 3 months. To thaw, place the cheesecake in the fridge overnight. Add toppings before serving.
More Cheesecake Recipes
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Twix Cheesecake
Ingredients
CRUST
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
CHEESECAKE
- 3 packages cream cheese at room temperature, 8 oz each, I like to use full fat
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- 3 tbsp jarred caramel sauce, slightly heated so you can pour it (use more caramel for a more intense caramel flavor!)
Chocolate Ganache
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
Garnish
- Twix bars, cut in half so you can see the inside
Instructions
CRUST
- Preheat the oven to 350º F.
- If using whole graham crackers, pulse them in a blender or food processor until they are very fine. You can also find graham cracker crumbs in the baking aisle. Measure out 2 cups of crumbs. In a small bowl, combine the crumbs with the brown sugar, cinnamon and melted butter, mix well until incorporated.
- Add the crumbs to a 8 or 9 inch springform pan, distribute them evenly, using a cup or the bottom of something flat to press the crumbs into the pan. If desired, you can have the crumbs go up the sides of the pan a bit.
- Place the pan in the oven, pre-bake the crust for 8-10 minutes or until golden.
- Remove the pan from the oven, and allow it to cool to room temperature before adding the cheesecake mixture.
- Turn the oven down to 325º F.
CHEESECAKE
- Place the round springform pan inside an oven safe bag ( like one that you’d cook a turkey in for thanksgiving) and roll the top of the bag down so it doesn’t cover the cheesecake. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the 3 packages of cream cheese until smooth, about 2-3 minutes. Add in the sugar, and vanilla extract, beat again. Add in the eggs, ONE at a time, beating just until the egg yolk breaks, then add in the next, etc. Beat the mixture for 1 additional minute. Do not over beat, this is why I recommend only 1 minute. Pour the cheesecake mixture on top of the cooled crust.
- Drizzle the caramel sauce over the cheesecake. Use a small spatula to gently swirl it into the batter.
- Place the springform pan in a 9×13 inch pan or larger roasting pan. Carefully fill the roasting pan with about 1 inch of water.
- Place the water bath with the cheesecake inside in the oven and bake at 325º F for 60-75 minutes *see note. The cheesecake is done when the center wobbles a little when you jiggle the pan. The edges of the cheesecake should look firmer than the center.
- Once the cheesecake is done baking, turn the oven off and gently remove the springform pan from the water bath and oven safe bag. Place the cheesecake on a baking sheet and return to the oven (oven is off) with the oven door cracked. Allow the cheesecake to cool to room temperature inside the oven before removing – this could be 60-90 minutes.
- Once cooled to room temperature, remove the cheesecake from the oven. Loosely cover the cheesecake with foil and place in the fridge overnight.
- Before serving, carefully unmold the cheesecake from the pan. Use a small spatula to assist any parts that are sticking to the pan. Allow the pan to do most of the work, some of the cheesecake may stick to the pan, but the cheesecake should naturally separate from the pan.
Chocolate Ganache
- Place the chocolate chips in a heat proof bowl.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the heavy cream to a boil. Once boiling, remove from the heat and pour the heavy cream over the chocolate chips. Allow the mixture to sit for 1 minute, melting the chocolate chips, then stir well to mix. Allow the ganache to cool for 5-7 minutes before adding it to the cheesecake.
TO ASSEMBLE
- Pour/spoon the chocolate ganache on top of the cheesecake, using a spatula to spread it around. Add the sliced twix bars round the outside edge of the cheesecake. Sprinkle chopped twix pieces on top and drizzle with extra caramel sauce. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to set the ganache. Slice & serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclosure
All nutritional values are approximate and provided to the reader as a courtesy. Changing ingredients and/or quantities will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
Omg i though of that oven bag trick years ago! Works like a charm, doesn’t it? Thanks for this recipe, can’t wait to try it!
YES. It’s the best! Let me know how it turns out!
how many twix bars do you use ? not listed in the recipe. also, is any caramel sauce going to work? such as ice cream caramel topping or do you use something specific?
Hi Cate! I used king sized Twix bars cut in half and then cut in half the way long – so I got 4 pieces from 1 twix. It really depends on how many twix you want for the top! I believe I bought 2 king sized twix packages – that will be plenty!
As for the caramel – any jarred caramel sauce is great. Like the kind you’d add on ice cream. I do not recommend using caramel sauce in a squeeze type bottle.
Does the ganache get hard? I want to put it on tonight and serve tomorrow… will it be too hard
Hi Ashlea! Chocolate ganache is made with heavy cream so that is doesn’t harden. It will “set” but it will still be soft!
Made this for a co-worker’s birthday! He and his family loved it! Thank you for this recipe!
I couldn’t figure out how to include a photo!