Butterscotch Dessert Bars Recipe (2024)

Last updated on February 27, 2024

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Butterscotch bars are a deliciously rich treat, blending buttery brown sugar with melty butterscotch chips in a chewy bar that's sure to delight both your friends and family.

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Table of Contents

Ingredients for Butterscotch Bars
Butterscotch Bars Variations
How to make Butterscotch Bars
Frequently Asked Questions
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Storing this Recipe
More Recipes You'll Love
JUMP TO RECIPE

Prepare to indulge your dessert cravings with these tempting butterscotch bars. Their mix of smooth butterscotch and soft, buttery texture makes these cookie bars a delightful treat for any event.

Every component is key to creating the perfect chewy butterscotch cookie bars. The blend of flour, cornstarch, and baking powder results in their soft, chewy consistency.

Brown sugar contributes a rich caramel taste, and the butterscotch chips offer a sweet, melting delight.

Ingredients for Butterscotch Bars

What you’ll need:

FLOUR: 2½ cups, spooned and leveled
CORNSTARCH: 2 teaspoons
BAKING POWDER: 1 teaspoon
SALT: ½ teaspoon
SALTED BUTTER: 1 cup, softened to room temperature
LIGHT BROWN SUGAR: 1 cup, tightly packed
GRANULATED SUGAR: ¾ cup
EGGS: 2, room temperature
PURE VANILLA EXTRACT: 2 teaspoons
BUTTERSCOTCH BAKING CHIPS: 2 cups

Butterscotch Bars Variations

These easy substitutions and additions can easily be swapped out while still maintaining the deliciousness of these dessert bars!

CORNSTARCH:If you don't have cornstarch, use the same amount of tapioca starch or potato starch to achieve a comparable texture.
SALTED BUTTER:If using unsalted butter, simply include an additional pinch of salt to even out the flavors.
DARK BROWN SUGAR: Opt for dark brown sugar if you prefer a deeper butterscotch taste.
ALMOND EXTRACT: Try using almond extract in place of vanilla extract for a nutty flavor variation.
CHOCOLATE VARIANTS: Replace butterscotch chips with chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or a combination to create a distinct taste in this simple recipe.

How to make Butterscotch Bars

FIRST STEP:Preheat the oven to 350°F. Generously spray a 9×13 (or 13×9) baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set it aside.

SECOND STEP:Add the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and table salt to a medium-sized mixing bowl (2-3 quarts). Whisk to combine. Set it aside.

THIRD STEP:Using either a stand mixer, or a medium-sized mixing bowl and electric hand mixer, on medium-high speed, beat together the softened butter, brown, and granulated sugars for 1½-2 minutes or until light and fluffy.

FOURTH STEP:Lower the mixer speed to medium-low. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each egg until no yellow streaks remain.

FIFTH STEP:Add the vanilla and mix just until combined.

SIXTH STEP:Keep the mixer speed on medium-low and add ½ of the flour mixture, mixing just until incorporated. Add the remaining flour, again mix just until incorporated.

SEVENTH STEP:Fold in 1½ cups of the butterscotch baking chips. Evenly spread the butterscotch batter into the prepared pan.

Sprinkle the remaining butterscotch baking chips evenly over the top of the batter.

Frequently Asked Questions

I don't have salted butter, can I use unsalted butter?

Using unsalted butter is fine; just include a pinch of salt to even out the flavors.

Is it possible to include nuts or dried fruits in the bars?

Yes! You can customize these bars with any of your favorite add-ins.

Is it okay to make a bigger batch for more people?

Yes, simply double the ingredients and use a bigger pan.

Can I try other chip flavors like chocolate or white chocolate?

Absolutely, feel free to use different chips to explore new flavors in this recipe.

Can I replace brown sugar with white sugar?

While brown sugar adds to the butterscotch taste, white sugar is fine if you want a milder flavor.

Our gooey butterscotch bars are a charming treat that blend nostalgic warmth with simple ingredients. Their rich, buttery taste, easy prep, and sweet, chewy texture make them a favorite for many occasions.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Butterscotch bars are a favorite for many reasons:

AMAZING BUTTERSCOTCH TASTE: The highlight is the butterscotch chips, creating delicious, buttery sweet spots in each bite.

POPULAR WITH EVERYONE: Their chewy feel and deep taste make these bars a hit with both children and adults.

CONVENIENT TO PREPARE AHEAD: You can make them in advance, ensuring a tasty treat is always on hand.

Storing this Recipe

Here are some tips for storing your delicious butterscotch squares to enjoy later:

PREP AHEAD: Make these butterscotch bars in advance and keep them in a sealed container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer keeping, you can freeze them.

REFRIGERATOR STORAGE: To maintain freshness, store the bars in a sealed container in the fridge for up to a week.

FREEZER STORAGE: These bars freeze very well. Wrap each bar individually in plastic and store in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to three months.

THAWING: When you're ready to eat them, let them thaw at room temperature or briefly warm them in the microwave.

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Butterscotch Bars

Butterscotch bars are a deliciously rich treat, blending buttery brown sugar with melty butterscotch chips in a chewy bar that's sure to delight both your friends and family.

Love this recipe? Give it a 5 Star Rating

5 from 4 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 28 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 38 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 18 bars

Calories 315 kcal

Ingredients

▢ 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
▢ 2 tsp cornstarch
▢ 1 tsp baking powder
▢ ½ tsp table salt
▢ 1 cup salted butter (softened to room temperature)
▢ 1 cup light brown sugar (tightly packed)
▢ ¾ cup granulated sugar
▢ 2 extra-large eggs (room temperature)
▢ 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
▢ 2 cups butterscotch baking chips (divided 1 ½ cups and ½ cup)

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Generously spray a 9×13 (or 13×9) baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set it aside.
Add the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and table salt to a medium-sized mixing bowl (2-3 quarts). Whisk to combine. Set it aside.
Using either a stand mixer, or a medium-sized mixing bowl and handheld mixer, on medium-high speed, beat together the softened butter, brown and granulated sugars for 1½-2 minutes or until light and fluffy.
Lower the mixer speed to medium-low. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each egg until no yellow streaks remain.
Add the vanilla and mix just until combined.
Keep the mixer speed on medium-low and add ½ of the flour mixture, mixing just until incorporated. Add the remaining flour, again mix just until incorporated.
Fold in 1½ cups of the butterscotch baking chips. Evenly spread the butterscotch batter into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining butterscotch baking chips evenly over the top of the batter.
Bake for 26-28 minutes or until the corners and edges of the bars are golden brown. The center still looks to be set but still undercooked. You want the center to be dense. Allow the bars to completely cool before cutting the bars into 3 slices x 6 slices. Cover until you are ready to serve.

Notes

Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature before starting. Room-temperature ingredients blend more smoothly, resulting in a better texture.
When adding the dry ingredients, mix just until they’re incorporated. Overmixing can make the bars tough. It’s okay if there are a few streaks of flour.
Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to check your butterscotch bars at the lower end of the recommended baking time.

Nutrition

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