Introduction

These Trisha Yearwood Butterscotch Bars are rich, chewy, and packed with buttery sweetness. With a tender crumb and pockets of melty butterscotch chips, they make a perfect treat for any occasion. Baking them is straightforward, and they’re sure to become a favorite dessert in your home.

The image shows three thick dessert bars stacked on a white plate with a blue speckled design, placed on a white marbled surface. Each bar has three clear layers: a bottom crumbly brown crust, a middle creamy light beige layer, and a top smooth caramel layer that is golden brown. The top layer is decorated with crumbly bits and has caramel sauce dripping down the sides. Crumbs are scattered around the plate, giving a textured feel. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

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

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

Tips & Variations

Don’t overbake! The bars should be slightly soft in the center for the best texture.
Use high-quality butterscotch chips to enhance the flavor of your bars.
Add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans to the dough for a nutty crunch.
Substitute half the butterscotch chips with chocolate chips for a delicious chocolate-butterscotch combo.
Drizzle melted chocolate over cooled bars for an extra indulgent touch.
Try salted butterscotch bars by using salted butter or sprinkling sea salt on top before baking.
For a subtle coffee flavor, add 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder to the dry ingredients.
Incorporate 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon or nutmeg into the dry mix for a warm spiced variation.

Storage

Store the butterscotch bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. To enjoy them warm, reheat individual bars in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.

How to Serve

Three square pieces of dessert bars are stacked on top of each other, each bar having two visible layers. The bottom layer is dense and crumbly with a golden brown color and rough texture. The top layer is smooth and creamy with a light caramel color. On top of the bars, there are small crumbles scattered, adding texture. Thin white drizzle runs down from the top layer over the sides. The bars sit on a wooden surface with more crumbs and white flakes around them. The background is softly blurred, focusing attention on the dessert bars. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

Yes, using salted butter will add a slight salty flavor to the bars. You may want to reduce or omit additional salt in the recipe to balance the taste.

Why should I avoid overmixing the dough?

Overmixing develops gluten in the flour, which can make the bars tough rather than tender and chewy. Mixing just until combined keeps the texture soft and perfect.

Trisha Yearwood Butterscotch Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 87 reviews

Trisha Yearwood’s Butterscotch Bars are rich, tender bars loaded with sweet butterscotch chips. These bars offer a perfect balance of buttery, caramel sweetness with a soft and chewy texture. They are ideal for parties, dessert trays, or anytime you crave a nostalgic homemade treat.

Author: Ruby
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
Total Time: 35-40 minutes
Yield: 24 bars 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

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

Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine the softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Beat on medium speed for 3-5 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, ensuring a tender texture in the bars.
Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next to emulsify the batter. Then stir in the vanilla extract to enhance flavor.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to distribute the leavening agents evenly.
Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed just until combined to avoid overmixing and tough bars.
Fold in Butterscotch Chips: Use a spatula to gently fold the butterscotch chips into the dough, ensuring even distribution without overworking the batter.
Prepare for Baking: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper with an overhang for easy removal.
Press and Bake: Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan using your fingers or the back of a spoon. Bake for 20-25 minutes until edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan to set properly before cutting into squares to ensure they hold together well.

Notes

Do not overbake to keep bars soft and moist.
Use quality butterscotch chips to maximize flavor.
Add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans if desired for crunch.
Try substituting half the butterscotch chips with chocolate chips for a chocolate-butterscotch twist.
Drizzle cooled bars with melted chocolate for extra decadence.
Use salted butter or sprinkle sea salt on top before baking for a salted butterscotch variation.
Add 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder to dry ingredients for a coffee flavor enhancement.
Include 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm, spiced note.

Keywords: butterscotch bars, Trisha Yearwood, dessert bars, homemade bars, baking recipe, butterscotch chips, sweet bars