Gooey Butterscotch Nut Bars – The Ultimate Chewy, Buttery Dessert Bar

When you need a sweet treat that’s rich, chewy, and packed with caramelized flavor, these Gooey Butterscotch Nut Bars deliver every time. Imagine buttery layers of brown sugar goodness swirled with melted butterscotch chips and crunchy roasted nuts — soft in the center, perfectly chewy at the edges, and downright irresistible.

These dessert bars combine the nostalgic comfort of old-fashioned blondies with the indulgence of butterscotch and the crunch of nuts, creating a truly addictive dessert. Whether you’re baking for a potluck, holiday cookie exchange, or just to satisfy a craving, these bars are simple to make and absolutely delicious.

Why You’ll Love These Gooey Butterscotch Nut Bars

• Simple pantry ingredients: All you need are basic baking staples like butter, sugar, flour, and eggs.
• Quick to make: Mix, bake, and cool — no fancy techniques required.
• Perfect texture: Gooey centers, crisp edges, and crunchy nuts for the ultimate bite.
• Customizable: Swap nuts, add chocolate chips, or drizzle caramel for a twist.
• Crowd favorite: These bars are a hit at every party or bake sale.

Ingredients

For the Base and Filling

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
• 1 ½ cups packed brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butterscotch chips
• 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (or a mix of both)

Optional Toppings

• ¼ cup melted butterscotch chips (for drizzling)
• Flaky sea salt, for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
2. Mix the wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth.
3. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined and slightly glossy.
4. Combine the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
5. Mix it all together: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a spatula until just combined — do not overmix.
6. Add the stars: Stir in the butterscotch chips and chopped nuts until evenly distributed.
7. Spread and bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until golden brown on top and the center is just set.
8. Cool completely: Let the bars cool in the pan for at least 1 hour before slicing. This helps them set and develop their gooey texture.
9. Add the finishing touch: Drizzle with melted butterscotch and a sprinkle of sea salt if desired. Slice into bars and serve.

Gooey Butterscotch Nut Bars

Chewy, buttery dessert bars packed with rich butterscotch flavor and crunchy nuts — easy to make and irresistibly gooey.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 16 bars

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American, Autumn

Calories: 250

Ingredients

  

Base

• 1 cup unsalted butter melted
• 1.5 cups brown sugar packed
• 0.5 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs large
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.5 tsp baking powder
• 0.25 tsp baking soda
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 1 cup butterscotch chips
• 1 cup chopped nuts pecans or walnuts

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• 9×13-inch baking pan
• Spatula
• Whisk

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk melted butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until smooth.
3. Add eggs and vanilla extract; mix until glossy.
4. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
5. Fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined.
6. Stir in butterscotch chips and chopped nuts.
7. Spread batter into prepared pan and bake for 25–30 minutes, until golden and set.
8. Cool completely before cutting into bars. Drizzle with melted butterscotch if desired.

Notes

For extra flavor, use browned butter and lightly toast the nuts before adding them.

Baking Tips for Perfect Butterscotch Bars

• Don’t overbake: The key to gooey bars is taking them out when the center is slightly underbaked. They’ll firm up as they cool.
• Cool before cutting: Warm bars will crumble. Letting them rest ensures clean, even slices.
• Line the pan: Parchment makes cleanup a breeze and prevents sticking.
• Balance the sweetness: If you’re using sweetened nuts or extra butterscotch chips, consider reducing the sugar slightly.

Ingredient Substitutions

• Nuts: Swap pecans for almonds, macadamia nuts, or hazelnuts.
• Flour: For a gluten-free option, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
• Butter: Substitute half the butter with brown butter for an even deeper caramel flavor.
• Add-ins: Mix in white chocolate chips or dried cranberries for variation.

Serving Suggestions

These Gooey Butterscotch Nut Bars are delicious on their own, but you can also:

• Serve warm with ice cream: Add a scoop of vanilla or butter pecan ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce for a decadent dessert.
• Pair with coffee: Their buttery sweetness makes them the perfect companion to your morning brew.
• Gift them: Wrap squares in parchment and tie with twine for a charming homemade gift.

Storage and Freezing

• Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
• Refrigerator: Keep chilled for up to 7 days for extra firmness.
• Freezer: Freeze individual bars in layers separated by parchment for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Fun Fact: The Butterscotch Origin Story

Butterscotch dates back to 19th-century England, where it was first made from brown sugar, butter, and molasses. It was originally hard candy, but over time bakers transformed it into sauces, chips, and — of course — delicious baked goods like these bars. The word “scotch” in butterscotch refers not to Scotland but to the process of “scorching” the sugar to develop that signature caramel flavor.

Recipe Variations to Try

1. Salted Caramel Version: Replace butterscotch chips with caramel bits and top with coarse sea salt.
2. Chocolate Lover’s Twist: Add a swirl of melted dark chocolate before baking.
3. Holiday Special: Stir in dried cranberries and drizzle white chocolate over the cooled bars.
4. Peanut Butter Dream: Add ¼ cup creamy peanut butter to the batter for an even richer, nutty taste.

Common Questions

Q: Can I make these without nuts?
A: Absolutely! Just leave them out or replace them with extra butterscotch chips for a nut-free version.

Q: Why are my bars dry?
A: Overbaking or too much flour can dry them out. Make sure to measure flour properly (spoon and level) and remove the bars from the oven while the center is still slightly gooey.

Q: Can I double the recipe?
A: Yes, you can double it for a crowd. Use a 10×15-inch pan and add 5–8 extra minutes of baking time.

Final Thoughts

These Gooey Butterscotch Nut Bars are the definition of comfort baking — nostalgic, chewy, and filled with layers of caramel-like sweetness and nutty crunch. They’re a perfect make-ahead treat for any season, whether you’re hosting a cozy fall gathering or baking for the holidays.

One bite of these golden, buttery bars, and you’ll understand why they’ve become a FoodieMoms favorite.