Butterscotch Bars

Butterscotch bars are a rich, chewy bar cookie full of butterscotch flavor thanks to butterscotch baking chips with crunchy, toasted walnuts. 

Butterscotch Bars

What is butterscotch? Butterscotch is very similar to caramel, although butterscotch usually uses all brown sugar instead of granulated sugar like caramel does. Homemade butterscotch also usually contains a hint of lemon. Butterscotch baking chips hit the market in the 1960’s and have been one of the most popular flavors of baking chips ever since.

Although butterscotch baking chips are still popular, bakers tend to have a love-hate relationship with them – several brands of butterscotch baking chips can taste artificial, so some people tend to avoid them. But I have found there are better quality brands such as Hersheys or Guittard (not sponsored) that that can give you that rich butterscotch flavor without too much of the artificial flavor. 

How to Make Butterscotch Bars

The recipe for these butterscotch bars were adapted from a 1970’s cookbook and is similar to a blonde brownie, but with a rich butterscotch flavor instead. These bars get their butterscotch flavor thanks to the melted butterscotch baking chips that are added to the dough and then additional melted butterscotch baking chips are drizzled on the baked bars. Toasted walnuts are added for texture, but if you omit if you don’t like nuts.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup walnuts
• 6 oz. Butterscotch baking chips + additional for drizzling on top of baked bars (use Hersheys or Guittard)
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions for Butterscotch Bars

Spread walnuts on an ungreased sheet pan and bake at 350°F degrees for 6-8 minutes. Cool completely, then roughly chop. Cool and store if not using right away.

In the top of a double boiler or in a microwave safe bowl using 50% power, melt the butterscotch chips and butter; stir until smooth. Add the brown sugar to the butterscotch mixture, followed by the eggs and vanilla extract. Sift or whisk the flour, baking powder and salt. Add into the wet ingredients; fold in the walnuts.

Spread batter into a greased 9”x9” square baking pan* and bake at 350F for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow bars to cool completely; drizzle or spread with melted butterscotch baking chips. Cut into squares when set.

Tips for Butterscotch Bars

• Can substitute an 8”x8” baking pan; bars will be thicker. Increase baking time by 3-4 minutes. 
• Store bars in an airtight container for up to three days
• Freeze any baked bars for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator

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