Butterscotch Bars Recipe

Introduction

These delightful butterscotch bars are rich, buttery, and packed with sweet butterscotch chips. Perfectly tender with a golden crust, they make a wonderful treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butterscotch chips

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat together the softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
3. Step 3: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt to combine evenly.
5. Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture on low speed, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender.
6. Step 6: Fold in the butterscotch chips with a spatula, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
7. Step 7: Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan using your fingers or the back of a spoon.
8. Step 8: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
9. Step 9: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares to ensure they set properly.

Tips & Variations

• Use parchment paper with an overhang for easy removal and cleaner cuts.
• Try substituting butterscotch chips with white chocolate chips for a different flavor.
• Chill the dough briefly before baking to reduce spreading and achieve thicker bars.

Storage

Store cooled butterscotch bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, keep them refrigerated for up to a week. Warm gently in the microwave before serving to soften.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe to avoid an overly salty taste.

Can I freeze the butterscotch bars?

Absolutely. Wrap the bars tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. They will keep well for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before slicing.

Butterscotch Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 114 reviews

These delicious Butterscotch Bars by Trisha Yearwood combine rich, buttery dough with sweet butterscotch chips, baked to golden perfection for a tender, chewy treat. Perfect for dessert or an indulgent snack, they offer a wonderful balance of sweet and buttery flavors with a soft texture.

• Author: Leo
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 24 bars (about 2 dozen squares) 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Add-ins

• 1 cup butterscotch chips

Instructions

1. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl or stand mixer bowl, combine the softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Beat on medium speed for about 3-5 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. This ensures a tender texture in your bars.
2. Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated. This helps to emulsify the batter and create a smooth consistency.
3. Mix in Vanilla: Stir in the vanilla extract to enhance the flavors and complement the butterscotch chips.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning.
5. Incorporate Dry Ingredients into Wet: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined. Avoid overmixing to prevent tough bars.
6. Fold in Butterscotch Chips: Using a spatula, gently fold the butterscotch chips into the dough to distribute them evenly without overworking the batter.
7. Prepare the Pan and Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper leaving an overhang for easy removal.
8. Press Dough into Pan: Evenly press the dough into the prepared pan using your fingers or the back of a spoon to ensure uniform thickness.
9. Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Keep an eye on them as baking times may vary.
10. Cool and Cut: Allow bars to cool completely in the pan before lifting out and cutting into squares. Cooling allows the bars to set and prevents crumbliness.

Notes

• Do not overmix the dough to keep the bars tender and soft.
• Using parchment paper with an overhang makes it easier to remove the bars from the pan.
• Make sure the butter is softened but not melted for proper creaming.
• Check the bars early after 20 minutes to prevent overbaking.
• Cool completely before cutting to avoid crumbly pieces.

Keywords: butterscotch bars, butterscotch chips, baked bars, dessert bars, Trisha Yearwood recipe, easy dessert