Trisha Yearwood Butterscotch Bars Recipe
Trisha Yearwood’s Butterscotch Bars are a warm, gooey, and comforting dessert that brings nostalgic Southern charm to your table. These bars feature a rich buttery flavor balanced with sweet butterscotch chips, resulting in a tender, chewy texture that’s perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or a cozy weeknight treat.
- Author: Lisa
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Total Time: 37 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
- Diet: Vegetarian
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
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Beat on medium speed for 3-5 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which helps achieve a tender texture for the bars.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each to fully incorporate them. Then stir in the vanilla extract to enhance the butterscotch flavor.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed just until combined to avoid overdeveloping gluten, which can toughen the bars.
- Fold in Butterscotch Chips: Using a spatula, gently fold in the butterscotch chips ensuring they’re evenly scattered without overmixing the dough.
- Prepare Baking Pan: Preheat your 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 Dough and Bake: Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan using fingers or the back of a spoon. Bake for 20-25 minutes until edges are golden and a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and Serve: Let the bars cool completely in the pan so they set properly before cutting into squares. Serve as is or with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for extra indulgence.
Notes
- Do not overbake to avoid dry, hard bars; the centers should remain slightly soft.
- Use high-quality butterscotch chips for optimal flavor.
- Add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans for a nutty texture.
- Try substituting half of the butterscotch chips with chocolate chips for a twist.
- Drizzle melted chocolate over cooled bars for added decadence.
- For salted bars, use salted butter or sprinkle sea salt on top before baking.
- Add 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder to dry ingredients for a subtle coffee flavor.
- Include 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm, spiced variation.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3-4 days or freeze up to 2-3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (approx. 2x2 inch)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: Trisha Yearwood, butterscotch bars, Southern dessert, chewy bars, butterscotch chips, easy dessert, homemade bars, comfort food