Butterscotch Chewies: The Easiest Chewy Cookie Bars
Some desserts are so simple, they feel like they were made just for you. These Butterscotch Chewies are the perfect example. They’re a deliciously easy, one-pan treat that combines the rich, sweet flavor of butterscotch with a wonderfully chewy texture. Made with a few simple ingredients and ready in minutes, these bars are the ultimate nostalgic dessert. They’re perfect for a cozy night in, a quick snack, or a fun baking project with the family.
Why I love This Recipe
I’m a firm believer that a great dessert should be both delicious and easy to make. What I love most about these Butterscotch Chewies is the simplicity of the process. Instead of spending time portioning out individual cookies, you simply mix the dough and spread it into a single pan. The result is a bar with a perfect texture—chewy, dense, and full of rich, sweet butterscotch chips. The melted butter and brown sugar are the key to that incredible chewiness. It’s a fantastic recipe for a last-minute get-together, a satisfying weekend baking project, or just a simple dessert to enjoy with a cup of coffee.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter (1 stick), melted
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 141 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Swaps and Notes
- Butterscotch Chips: Butterscotch chips are the star of the show. You can find them in the baking aisle of most grocery stores. For a different flavor, you can also use chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or a combination of all three.
- Walnuts: The chopped walnuts add a wonderful nutty flavor and a satisfying crunch. You can also use pecans, almonds, or even toffee bits for a different texture.
- Brown Sugar: The brown sugar is a key ingredient for the chewy texture and rich flavor of these bars. Make sure to pack it tightly when you’re measuring it.
- Butter: Using melted butter is crucial for the chewy texture of these bars. It adds a wonderful richness that you just can’t get from softened butter. Just make sure it’s not too hot when you add the brown sugar.
- Salt: A little bit of salt is important for balancing the sweetness of the butterscotch and the brown sugar.
List of Steps for the Recipe
- Preheat Oven and Prep Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8 inch baking pan with butter or non-stick cooking spray.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and the packed brown sugar until they are well combined. Whisk in the egg and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and glossy.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, stir together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Add Dry to Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing with a spatula or wooden spoon just until everything is combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Fold in Chips: Stir in the butterscotch chips and the chopped walnuts if you’re using them.
- Spread and Bake: Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20−25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely before cutting them into squares.
Tips for Success
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the dough can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough, dense bar. Mix just until the dry ingredients are incorporated.
- Cool Completely: This is the most important tip! It may be tempting to cut into them while they’re warm, but the bars need to set. Cooling them completely will ensure clean, perfectly-formed squares.
- Adjust Baking Time: The cooking time will depend on your oven. Start checking them at the 20-minute mark to prevent over-baking. A slightly underbaked bar is much better than an overbaked, dry one.
- Use Parchment Paper: Lining the pan with parchment paper makes the bars incredibly easy to lift out of the pan for cutting.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
These Butterscotch Chewies are absolutely delicious on their own. For a truly decadent treat, you can serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. A drizzle of caramel sauce or hot fudge would also be a fantastic addition. They are also perfect with a tall glass of cold milk or a hot cup of coffee.
Nutritional Information
(Please note that this is an estimate and will vary based on specific brands and portion sizes)
These are an indulgent and delicious dessert. The calories, carbohydrates, and fats come from the butter, sugar, and butterscotch chips. While they are a decadent treat, they are a wonderfully satisfying dessert that is perfect for a special occasion or a fun baking project.
Storage and Leftover Tips
These butterscotch chewies store beautifully. You can keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. To get that gooey, fresh-out-of-the-oven texture back, you can pop a square in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds.
Final Thoughts
This Butterscotch Chewies recipe is a timeless classic for a reason. It’s a comforting, delicious, and easy dessert that is perfect for any occasion. The combination of a chewy bar and plenty of sweet butterscotch chips is simply irresistible. I hope you enjoy this effortless and delicious treat as much as I do!
Easy Butterscotch Chewies: The Perfect Chewy Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×9 inch baking pan.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the melted butter and brown sugar, stirring until smooth.
- Add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing well to combine.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Fold in the butterscotch chips.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow to cool in the pan before cutting into squares.
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