Trisha Yearwood’s Buttery Dream: Butterscotch Bars Recipe

Crispy butterscotch bars have been my secret weapon for impressing guests at every gathering.

Sweet aromas waft through the kitchen while mixing these delectable treats.

Layers of rich, golden goodness promise an irresistible dessert experience.

Memories of southern comfort blend seamlessly with each buttery bite.

Simple ingredients come together in a magical culinary dance that feels like pure indulgence.

Our treasured recipe promises a delightful balance of crunch and smooth butterscotch flavor.

You’ll want to savor every single morsel of this heavenly creation.

Why Trisha Yearwoods Butterscotch Bars Are So Sweet

• Bake with Minimal Effort: Perfect for busy home cooks who want a delicious treat without spending hours in the kitchen, this recipe requires simple mixing and basic baking skills.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Loaded with butterscotch chips and pecans, these bars deliver a rich, sweet flavor that appeals to both kids and adults, making them ideal for family gatherings or potlucks.
• Versatile Treat for Any Occasion: Whether you're hosting a casual get-together, preparing a sweet snack for work, or looking for a dessert to bring to a social event, these butterscotch bars fit perfectly into any scenario.
• Simple Ingredient List: Using common pantry staples like flour, butter, and sweetened condensed milk, this recipe eliminates the need for complex or hard-to-find ingredients, ensuring stress-free preparation.

What You’ll Need For Trisha Yearwoods Butterscotch Bars

• All-Purpose Flour: A foundational ingredient that provides structure and texture to the bar cookies.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep, rich sweetness and helps create a moist, tender base.
• Butter: Brings richness and helps bind the base ingredients together.
• Baking Powder: Ensures a light and slightly raised texture in the base.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Egg: Helps bind the liquid ingredients and provides structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, classic flavor to the butterscotch mixture.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Creates a rich, creamy base for the liquid layer.
• Light Corn Syrup: Contributes to a smooth, glossy texture and prevents sugar crystallization.

• Butterscotch Chips, Pecans: Provide extra crunch, flavor complexity, and visual appeal to the bars.
• Powdered Sugar: Optional finishing touch that adds a delicate sweet coating.

How To Make Trisha Yearwoods Butterscotch Bars

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Warm up the oven to a cozy 350°F. Grab your 9×13-inch baking pan and coat it generously with butter or cooking spray to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Create Crumbly Base

• All-purpose flour
• Brown sugar
• Softened butter
• Baking powder
• Salt

Mix everything until the texture resembles chunky sand that holds together when pressed.

Step 3: Form Solid Foundation

Press the crumbly mixture firmly into the prepared pan, creating an even, compact layer that will serve as the delicious base for your bars.

Step 4: Whip Up Liquid Magic

• Egg
• Vanilla extract
• Sweetened condensed milk
• Light corn syrup

Whisk until the mixture becomes silky smooth and perfectly combined.

Step 5: Fold in Butterscotch Goodness

Gently stir butterscotch chips into the liquid mixture, ensuring they’re evenly distributed for maximum flavor in every bite.

Step 6: Layer and Spread

Pour the butterscotch mixture over the flour base, spreading carefully to cover every inch of the crumbly foundation.

Step 7: Add Crunchy Toppings

• Chopped pecans
• Extra butterscotch chips

This will create a delightful textural contrast and boost the flavor profile.

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Look for golden-brown edges and a center that’s set but still slightly soft.

Step 9: Cool and Set

Remove from the oven and let the bars rest in the pan for about an hour. Patience is key to achieving the perfect texture.

Step 10: Final Flourish

Optional but recommended: dust the cooled bars with a light snow of powdered sugar for an elegant finish.

Step 11: Slice and Serve

Cut into squares or rectangles. Serve at room temperature and watch them disappear!

Baking Tips For Trisha Yearwoods Butterscotch Bars

• Grease Pan Perfectly: Use soft butter or non-stick cooking spray to coat every corner of the baking pan, preventing any bar from sticking.
• Achieve Crumbly Base: Work the flour mixture gently with fingertips to create a sandy texture, which helps develop a delightful shortbread-like crust.
• Control Baking Time: Check bars at 25 minutes to prevent over-browning, looking for golden edges and a slightly jiggly center for ultimate moistness.
• Layer Ingredients Strategically: Spread butterscotch chips and pecans evenly to ensure each bite delivers consistent flavor and delicious crunch.
• Cooling Technique: Let bars rest at room temperature for exactly one hour to help them set properly and develop rich, cohesive texture.

Fun Takes On Trisha Yearwoods Butterscotch Bars

• Gluten-Free Butterscotch Bars: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a celiac-friendly version that maintains rich butterscotch flavor.
• Vegan Butterscotch Alternative: Substitute butter with coconut oil, use flax egg instead of regular egg, and select dairy-free butterscotch chips for plant-based enjoyment.
• Nutless Butterscotch Crunch: Eliminate pecans and replace with toasted coconut flakes or sunflower seeds for nut-allergy friendly preparation while preserving textural interest.
• Chocolate Lover's Adaptation: Swap butterscotch chips with semi-sweet chocolate chips and add dark chocolate drizzle on top for an intense chocolate experience.

Perfect Pairings For Trisha Yearwoods Butterscotch Bars

• Brew Coffee Match: Rich dark roast coffee balances the sweet butterscotch bars with robust, earthy undertones that complement the dessert's caramel-like richness.
• Creamy Beverage Partner: Smooth vanilla bean milkshake creates a delightful contrast, enhancing the butterscotch's sweetness while providing a cool, refreshing counterpoint.
• Nutty Sidekick Selection: Serve alongside toasted almond biscotti to amplify the pecan notes and add a delightful crunch that echoes the bar's textural complexity.
• Chilled Cream Companion: Vanilla bean ice cream provides a silky, cold backdrop that melts beautifully against the warm butterscotch flavors, creating a luxurious dessert experience.

How To Store Trisha Yearwoods Butterscotch Bars Right

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days, keeping bars between parchment paper layers to prevent sticking and maintain freshness.
• Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before enjoying.
• Keep bars in sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 days. Place wax paper between layers to prevent butterscotch chips from melting together.
• Warm bars gently in microwave for 10-15 seconds on low power. Alternatively, reheat in oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes to restore original texture and slightly crisp edges.

Your Trisha Yearwoods Butterscotch Bars Questions Answered

• Can I substitute the butterscotch chips with another ingredient?

Yes, you can use chocolate chips or caramel chips as alternatives, but this will change the classic butterscotch flavor profile.

• How do I know when the bars are perfectly baked?

Look for golden brown edges and a center that appears set but slightly soft. The bars will continue to firm up as they cool.

• Are these bars considered a dessert or a snack?

These butterscotch bars work perfectly as both a dessert and a sweet snack, ideal for afternoon treats or after-dinner indulgence.

• Do I need any special baking skills to make these bars?

No, this recipe is beginner-friendly and requires basic mixing and baking techniques that even novice bakers can easily master.

Trisha Yearwoods Butterscotch Bars Recipe

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4.5 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Trisha Yearwood’s butterscotch bars meld sweet nostalgia with Southern comfort in one irresistible dessert. Buttery layers of rich goodness promise a delightful escape that pulls you straight into a world of pure indulgence.

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Ingredients

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Flour and Base:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt

Butterscotch and Sweet Elements:

• 1 cup butterscotch chips
• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup light corn syrup

Topping and Garnish:

• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1/4 cup additional butterscotch chips
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and thoroughly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan to ensure easy removal of bars.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, softened butter, baking powder, and salt. Mix until the mixture forms a crumbly, cohesive base that resembles coarse sand.
3. Press the prepared flour mixture firmly and evenly into the greased baking pan, creating a compact foundation for the bars.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, vanilla extract, sweetened condensed milk, and light corn syrup until smooth and well-integrated.
5. Fold in the butterscotch chips into the liquid mixture, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout.
6. Pour the butterscotch mixture over the prepared flour base, spreading it carefully to cover the entire surface uniformly.
7. Sprinkle chopped pecans and additional butterscotch chips across the top of the liquid layer for added texture and flavor complexity.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and the center appears set but slightly soft.
9. Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan for approximately 1 hour.
10. Once cooled, dust with optional powdered sugar for a delicate finishing touch.
11. Cut into square or rectangular portions and serve at room temperature.

Notes

• Elevate the texture by ensuring butter is at room temperature for seamless blending and a more uniform crumbly base.
• Opt for high-quality butterscotch chips to enhance the rich, caramel-like flavor profile of the bars.
• Prevent burning by checking the bars around the 20-minute mark and rotating the pan for even browning.
• Transform this dessert into a gluten-free option by substituting all-purpose flour with a reliable gluten-free flour blend.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg