January 10, 2024
Review RecipeButterscotch Bars
Butterscotch bars are a delectable dessert, combining the rich, comforting flavors of buttery brown sugar and gooey butterscotch chips in a chewy, crowd-pleasing treat.
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Get ready to satisfy your sweet tooth with these irresistible butterscotch bars. The blend of rich butterscotch and soft, buttery goodness makes these delightful cookie bars a treat for all occasions.
Butterscotch Bars Ingredients
Each ingredient plays a crucial role in achieving the chewy butterscotch cookie bars. The combination of flour, cornstarch, and baking powder gives the bars their soft and chewy texture.
The brown sugar adds a deep caramel flavor, while the butterscotch chips provide sweet, melt-in-your-mouth goodness.
You’ll need:
- 2½ cups of all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 2 teaspoons of cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- ½ teaspoon of table salt
- 1 cup of salted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup of light brown sugar, tightly packed
- ¾ cup of granulated sugar
- 2 extra-large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups of butterscotch baking chips (divided 1½ cups and ½ cup)
Substitutions and Additions
CORNSTARCH: If you’re out of cornstarch, you can substitute it with an equal amount of tapioca starch or potato starch for a similar texture.
SALTED BUTTER: Unsalted butter works, too; just add an extra pinch of salt to balance the flavors.
BROWN SUGAR: Dark brown sugar can be used for a richer butterscotch flavor.
VANILLA EXTRACT: Experiment with almond extract instead of vanilla extract for a nutty twist.
BUTTERSCOTCH CHIPS: Swap them out for chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or a mix for a unique flavor profile in this easy recipe.
How To Make This Butterscotch Bars Recipe
Let’s walk through the easy steps for making these soft and chewy butterscotch chip bars.
PRO TIP:
Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature before starting. Room-temperature ingredients blend more smoothly, resulting in a better texture.
STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Generously spray a 9×13 (or 13×9) baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set it aside.
STEP TWO: Add the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and table salt to a medium-sized mixing bowl (2-3 quarts). Whisk to combine. Set it aside.
STEP THREE: 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.
STEP FOUR: Lower the mixer speed to medium-low. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each egg until no yellow streaks remain.
STEP FIVE: Add the vanilla and mix just until combined.
STEP SIX: 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.
PRO TIP:
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.
STEP SEVEN: 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.
STEP EIGHT: Bake treats for 26-28 minutes (every oven cooks differently, so begin checking your bars at the 22-minute mark) 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 cool completely before cutting the bars into three slices x six slices. Cover until you are ready to serve.
PRO TIP:
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.
How To Serve
Whether as a stand-alone dessert or part of a larger spread, butterscotch squares have plenty of serving options:
Serve warm bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a spoonful of whipped cream on top for an indulgent dessert.
Pair these bars with a hot cup of coffee, pumpkin spice latte, hot chocolate, or tea for a cozy afternoon treat.
Cut them into bite-sized squares and include them in your dessert platter for a potluck party, along with our Snickerdoodle bars and lemon cheesecake bars.
For a few more easy dessert recipes, check out our coconut cream dessert and toffee bars.
MORE BARS RECIPES
Storage
We’ve got a few handy tips for storing these tasty butterscotch squares so that you can enjoy them later.
MAKE AHEAD: You can prepare these easy butterscotch bars ahead of time and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, freeze them.
IN THE FRIDGE: To keep your sweet treats fresh, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
IN THE FREEZER: Butterscotch bars freeze exceptionally well. Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container or a freezer-safe bag for up to three months.
When ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature or warm them in the microwave for a few seconds.
REHEATING: To reheat, simply pop a frozen or refrigerated bar in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or until warm. Alternatively, warm them in a preheated oven at 350°F for about five minutes.
Why We Love This Recipe
Butterscotch bars hold a special place in our hearts for several reasons:
IRRESISTIBLE BUTTERSCOTCH FLAVOR: The star of the show is the butterscotch chips, which melt into gooey pockets of sweet, buttery goodness in every bite.
CROWD-PLEASER: With their chewy texture and rich flavor, these bars are sure to please both kids and adults alike, making them a crowd favorite.
MAKE AHEAD FRIENDLY: Prepare them ahead of time and have a delicious dessert ready whenever you need it.
Our gooey butterscotch bars are a delightful dessert that combines the warmth of nostalgia with the simplicity of a few key ingredients. Their irresistible, rich, buttery flavor, ease of preparation, and sweet, chewy goodness make them a go-to treat for various occasions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted butter?
Unsalted butter works; just add a pinch of salt to balance the flavors.
Can I add nuts or dried fruits to the bars?
Feel free to customize your bars with your favorite add-ins.
Can I double the recipe for a larger crowd?
Certainly, just adjust the ingredient quantities accordingly and use a larger baking dish.
Can I use a different type of chips, like chocolate or white chocolate?
You can experiment with different chips for unique flavor combinations in this dessert bar recipe.
Can I substitute brown sugar with white sugar?
Brown sugar contributes to the butterscotch flavor, but you can use white sugar if you prefer a lighter taste.
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Butterscotch Bars
Butterscotch bars are a delectable dessert, combining the rich, comforting flavors of buttery brown sugar and gooey butterscotch chips in a chewy, crowd-pleasing treat.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 28 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 38 minutes
Servings 18 slices
Ingredients
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon 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 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups butterscotch baking chips (divided 1½ cups and ½ cup)
Instructions
- 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
Calories: 317kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 52mg | Sodium: 232mg | Potassium: 70mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 368IU | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg
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