When that craving for something sweet hits, but you’re short on time, these Butterscotch Bars with Butterscotch Chips are your ultimate culinary hero. Forget complicated techniques or endless dishes – this recipe is all about maximizing flavor with minimal fuss, delivering a chewy, rich, and utterly satisfying dessert that will disappear faster than you can say “butterscotch bliss!”
These bars perfectly blend the nostalgic, caramel-like sweetness of butterscotch with a delightful brown sugar base, all elevated by pockets of melty butterscotch and semi-sweet chocolate chips. They strike a harmonious balance between a cookie and a brownie, offering a soft, tender center with slightly crispy edges. They’re fantastic for sharing at potlucks, packing into lunchboxes, or simply enjoying with a cup of coffee at home.
Why You'll Love This Easy Butterscotch Bar Recipe
Our butterscotch bars are designed for simplicity without sacrificing taste. Here's why they'll become a staple in your dessert rotation:
- One-Bowl Wonder: Most of the mixing happens in a single bowl, making cleanup a breeze.
- No Mixer Needed: A whisk and a spatula are all the tools you'll require.
- Customizable: Easily adapt with your favorite mix-ins like nuts or different types of chips.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone loves a good bar cookie, and these are undeniably delicious.
Let's gather our ingredients and get ready to bake some magic!
Essential Ingredients for Chewy Butterscotch Bars
You'll likely have most of these ingredients already in your pantry!
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup butterscotch chips
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Optional: ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
How to Make Butterscotch Bars with Butterscotch Chips
This recipe is straightforward, ensuring delicious results every time. Follow these steps for perfect, chewy bars.
The Base: Melt, Mix, and Prepare
The foundation of these incredible bars starts with a simple blend of butter and brown sugar, creating that signature rich, caramel-like flavor.
Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal, or lightly grease and flour the pan.
Step 2: Combine Butter and Brown Sugar
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the melted unsalted butter and packed brown sugar. Stir them together until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Ensure the butter isn't too hot before adding the egg.
<figure class=FAQs
What makes these butterscotch bars so chewy?
The combination of brown sugar and melted butter creates a moist, dense base. Avoiding overmixing the flour and pulling them from the oven when the center is just set helps maintain that delightful chewy texture.
Can I substitute the butterscotch chips?
Yes, absolutely! While butterscotch chips give them their signature flavor, you can replace them with white chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, or even a mix of your favorite candies for a different twist.
How should I store leftover butterscotch bars?
Once completely cooled, store the butterscotch bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, they can be frozen individually wrapped for up to 2 months.
Why is it important not to overmix the batter?
Overmixing the flour with the wet ingredients can develop the gluten too much, resulting in tougher, drier bars instead of the desired soft and chewy texture. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
Easy Butterscotch Bars with Butterscotch & Chocolate Chips
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 9-16 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These delightful butterscotch bars are incredibly easy to make, featuring a rich, chewy brown sugar base packed with sweet butterscotch and semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Ingredients
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
½ cup butterscotch chips
½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Optional: ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
Step 2: In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth.
Step 3: Whisk in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined and smooth.
Step 4: Add the flour, baking powder, and salt to the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
Step 5: Fold in the butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, and optional chopped pecans or walnuts.
Step 6: Transfer the batter to your prepared 8×8-inch baking dish. Use a spatula to smooth the top and spread the batter evenly.
Step 7: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25–30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center looks just set. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with a few moist crumbs. Do not overbake.
Notes
For extra flavor, lightly toast the nuts before adding them to the batter. These bars are also delicious with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top before baking to enhance the sweet and savory notes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (approx. 2x2 inch)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
