Chewy Butterscotch Bars for a Perfect Homemade Treat

My First Butterscotch Bars

I made my first batch of these bars years ago. My grandson was coming to visit. I wanted a sweet treat for him.

I was so nervous. I worried they would be too dry. But they came out perfectly chewy. He ate three in one sitting. I still laugh at that.

Why This Recipe Works

This recipe matters because it is simple. You do not need fancy things. Just your basic pantry items.

The cornstarch is the secret. It makes the bars soft and chewy. It is a small thing that makes a big difference. What is your favorite secret baking ingredient?

The Smell of Home

When these bars bake, the smell fills the house. It is the smell of brown sugar and butter. It is the smell of comfort.

Doesn’t that smell amazing? It tells everyone that something good is coming. That is why baking matters. It is not just about the food. It is about the feeling it creates.

A Little Butterscotch Story

*Fun fact*: The name “butterscotch” comes from “scotching,” or cutting, the candy. It has nothing to do with Scotland! I always found that funny.

I love the taste of butterscotch. It is rich and buttery. It is not as strong as chocolate. It is a gentle, sweet flavor. Do you prefer butterscotch or chocolate chips in your cookies?

Let’s Bake Together

Remember to let your butter get soft. This is very important. It makes your batter smooth and easy to mix.

Do not over-bake the bars. The center should look a little soft. It will set as it cools. This gives you that perfect, dense chew. What is the last sweet thing you baked at home?

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
all-purpose flour	2½ cups	spooned and leveled
cornstarch	2 teaspoons
baking powder	1 teaspoon
table salt	½ teaspoon
salted butter	1 cup	softened to room temperature
light brown sugar	1 cup	tightly packed
granulated sugar	¾ cup
extra-large eggs	2	room temperature
pure vanilla extract	2 teaspoons
butterscotch baking chips	2 cups	divided 1½ cups and ½ cup

Chewy Butterscotch Bars for a Perfect Homemade Treat

Oh, these bars bring back such happy memories. My grandson Toby calls them “sunshine squares.” He says they taste like a sweet, buttery hug. I think that’s just the nicest thing. I love how simple they are to make. You probably have everything you need in your pantry right now.

Let’s get our bowls ready. I’ll walk you through it. Remember, baking is about joy, not perfection. If you make a little mess, that just means you’re having fun. I still laugh at the time I used salt instead of sugar. What a funny mistake that was!

Step 1: First, turn your oven on to 350°F. This gets it nice and hot for our batter. Grease your baking dish well with some spray. This is so our bars don’t stick. I use a 9×13 pan, the one with blue flowers. Set your pan aside for now.

Step 2: Now, grab a medium bowl for your dry things. Put in the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. The cornstarch is my little secret. It makes the bars wonderfully chewy. Just whisk it all together until it looks like one color. Doesn’t that smell amazing already?

Step 3: Time for the good stuff! In a bigger bowl, beat the soft butter and both sugars. Use your mixer on medium-high speed. Do this for about two minutes. You want it to look light and fluffy, like a pale cloud. (A hard-learned tip: Your butter must be soft, not melted. Otherwise, the bars will spread too thin!)

Step 4: Lower your mixer speed to medium-low. Now, add the eggs one at a time. Let the first egg disappear into the batter before adding the next. Beat it until you see no yellow streaks. This makes the texture just right.

Step 5: Pour in the vanilla. I always take an extra little sniff from the bottle. It’s my favorite smell in the whole world. Just mix it until it’s combined. See how the batter is coming together?

Step 6: Keep the mixer on low. Add half of your flour mixture. Mix until you can’t see the flour anymore. Then add the rest of the flour. Be careful not to mix too much. We want tender bars, not tough ones. Why do we add the flour in two parts? Share below!

Step 7: This is the best part. Gently fold in one and a half cups of butterscotch chips. Use a big spoon for this. Spread the thick batter into your greased pan. It might be a bit sticky, just pat it down. Sprinkle the last half cup of chips on top. They will look so pretty.

Step 8: Bake for about 26 to 28 minutes. The edges will be golden brown. The center might look a little soft, and that’s perfect. They will set up as they cool. Let them cool completely before you cut them. I know, the waiting is the hardest part!

Cook Time: 28min
Total Time: 1hr 38mins
Yield: 18 bars
Category: Dessert, Snack

My Favorite Twists on This Classic

Once you master the classic, you can have a little fun. I love playing with new flavors. It makes an old recipe feel brand new. Here are a few ideas I’ve tried over the years. My book club especially loved the last one.

Salty Pretzel Crunch: Mix in a cup of crushed pretzel pieces with the chips. The salty and sweet combo is just wonderful.

Chocolate Swirl: Swap one cup of the butterscotch chips for chocolate chips. You get two wonderful flavors in every single bite.

Coconut Dream: Add a cup of sweetened shredded coconut to the batter. It tastes like a tropical vacation, right in your kitchen.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving Your Sweet Masterpiece

A warm bar is a lovely thing all on its own. But sometimes, you want to make it extra special. I like to cut them into big squares for my hungry family. For a party, I cut them into tiny little bites. Everyone can then try one without feeling guilty.

For a real treat, serve a bar warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The way it melts over the top is pure magic. A little drizzle of caramel sauce makes it a fancy restaurant dessert. You made it yourself, though, and that’s even better.

What to drink? A cold glass of milk is the classic choice. It cuts the sweetness just right. For the grown-ups, a cup of dark roast coffee is perfect. The bitter notes taste wonderful with the butterscotch. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Butterscotch Bars Fresh

Let’s talk about keeping your bars yummy. They last a week in the fridge. Just cover the pan with foil. You can also freeze them for three months. Wrap each bar tightly in plastic wrap. This keeps them from getting freezer burn.

I once sent a whole batch to my grandson. I forgot to wrap them well. They tasted a bit like my frozen peas! Now I am very careful. A quick reheat makes them soft again. Just ten seconds in the microwave does the trick.

Making a double batch saves you time. You have a treat ready for surprise guests. This matters because life can get very busy. A homemade snack should be easy to share. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Fixing Common Baking Problems

Sometimes our baking does not go as planned. Do your bars spread too much? Your butter was probably too warm. I remember when my bars turned into one big puddle. Now I make sure my butter is just soft.

Are the edges getting too dark? Your oven might run hot. An oven thermometer helps you know for sure. Is the center not cooking enough? Your pan might be too small. Using the right size pan matters for even baking.

Fixing these small issues builds your confidence. You will feel like a real kitchen expert. It also makes your treats taste perfect every time. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Butterscotch Bar Questions Answered

Q: Can I make these gluten-free? A: Yes! Use your favorite gluten-free flour blend. It works just fine.

Q: Can I make the dough ahead? A: You can keep the dough in the fridge overnight. Just let it warm up a bit before baking.

Q: What can I use instead of butterscotch chips? A: Chocolate chips are a wonderful swap. My grandkids love it both ways.

Q: Can I make a half batch? A: Of course. Use an 8×8 inch pan. Your bake time will be a little shorter.

Q: Any extra tips? A: A sprinkle of sea salt on top is lovely. *Fun fact: A little salt makes sweet things taste even sweeter!* Which tip will you try first?

Bake Some Sweet Memories

I hope you love baking these bars. They always make my kitchen smell wonderful. Sharing them with family is the best part. I would love to see your creations.

You can share a picture of your treats. It makes me so happy to see them. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! Thank you for baking with me today.

Happy cooking!

—Elowen Thorn.