Trisha Yearwood Butterscotch Bars: The Ultimate Recipe

If you have a sweet tooth and love classic, comforting treats, allow me to introduce you to Trisha Yearwood Butterscotch Bars: The Ultimate Recipe. These bars capture everything delightful about butterscotch in a tender, chewy, and buttery square that feels like a warm hug in dessert form. With a perfect balance of rich brown sugar sweetness and pockets of melty butterscotch chips, this recipe is sure to become a beloved staple in your kitchen. Whether you’re making them for family gatherings, casual snacking, or special occasions, these bars offer limitless joy in every bite.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Getting ready to make these famous butterscotch bars is easier than you think because the ingredients are simple yet essential. Each one adds an important layer to the final bars — from the creamy butter that builds richness to the brown sugar that gives it that irresistible caramel flavor and the butterscotch chips that elevate every bite.

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened: Use softened butter for easy creaming that ensures a tender texture.
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar: Brown sugar brings the moist, chewy sweetness and deep molasses notes.
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar: Helps balance the sweetness and adds a slight crispness to the bars’ edges.
• 2 large eggs: Eggs provide structure and bind all those wonderful flavors together.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Vanilla enhances all the flavors and adds a sweet aromatic touch.
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour: The flour forms the base that holds everything into a nice chewy bar.
• 1 teaspoon baking soda: A leavening agent to help the bars rise just enough for a soft bite.
• 1/2 teaspoon salt: Salt cuts through the sweetness and amplifies all the flavors.
• 1 cup butterscotch chips: The star ingredient that melts into gooey pockets of buttery, caramel goodness.

How to Make Trisha Yearwood Butterscotch Bars: The Ultimate Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Then, grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper to ensure the bars come out easily after baking. This simple prep sets the stage for perfect bars every time.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Beat for about 3 to 5 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key because it incorporates air, creating a tender texture and bringing out the sweetness of the sugars.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Next, add the eggs one at a time, making sure to beat well after each addition. This ensures your batter is smooth and well combined. Stir in the vanilla extract, which adds that subtle warmth and depth to every bite.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This mix provides the structure and just the right amount of lift for the bars while balancing the flavors perfectly.

Step 5: Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet

Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix here, since that can lead to tougher bars instead of the tender chewiness we love.

Step 6: Stir in Butterscotch Chips

Fold in the butterscotch chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter. These little pockets of melting butterscotch are what make these bars truly unforgettable.

Step 7: Bake

Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached. This ensures the bars are perfectly baked—soft but not underdone.

Step 8: Cool and Cut

Once out of the oven, let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. Cooling helps them set so they hold together beautifully when sliced.

How to Serve Trisha Yearwood Butterscotch Bars: The Ultimate Recipe

Garnishes

While these bars are delicious on their own, adding a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of warm caramel sauce can make them look and taste extra special. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt can also add an exciting contrast to the sweet butterscotch.

Side Dishes

Pair these butterscotch bars with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream to balance the sweetness with some cool creaminess. A cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk are also classic companions that enhance the entire experience.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, try serving these bars as part of a dessert platter with fresh berries and nuts. You can also cut them into bite-sized squares and arrange them on a decorative tray for parties or gatherings—the perfect sweet finger food that guests will love.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

These bars store wonderfully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Keeping them well-sealed preserves their freshness and chewy texture so you can enjoy them later without any loss of flavor.

Freezing

If you want to save them for longer, you can freeze these bars by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and then placing them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They freeze beautifully for up to 3 months, allowing you to enjoy a sweet indulgence anytime.

Reheating

To enjoy the bars after freezing or simply to bring out that fresh-baked warmth, gently warm them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a low oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes. This revives their softness and helps those butterscotch pockets get gooey again.

FAQs

Can I substitute the butterscotch chips?

You can! While butterscotch chips are the star here, white chocolate chips or caramel bits also make excellent substitutes, each adding a slightly different twist but keeping the sweet charm.

What if I don’t have light brown sugar?

If you only have dark brown sugar, that works fine too and will just give the bars a deeper molasses flavor. Alternatively, you can make a quick brown sugar by mixing granulated sugar with molasses.

Are these bars gluten-free?

This particular recipe calls for all-purpose flour, so it’s not gluten-free by default. However, you can try a gluten-free flour blend as a substitute, though the texture might vary slightly.

Why do the bars need to cool completely before cutting?

Allowing the bars to cool fully is crucial so they firm up and cut cleanly. Warm bars might be too soft and could crumble or stick when sliced.

Can I make these bars ahead of time for a party?

Absolutely! These bars taste fantastic even the next day and can be made a day or two ahead. Just keep them stored in an airtight container until ready to serve.

Final Thoughts

I truly hope you fall in love with Trisha Yearwood Butterscotch Bars: The Ultimate Recipe as much as I have. They are such an easy, comforting, and heavenly treat that brings joy every time. So, go ahead and make a batch to share with loved ones or savor all for yourself—either way, these bars are pure magic!

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