Butterscotch Brownies Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Total Time
Prep: 15 min. Bake: 20 min.
If you’re stuck in a dessert rut and longing for something fun, try making these delicious butterscotch brownies. They’re chewy, caramelly and easy to prepare.

Updated: Jul. 04, 2024

These butterscotch brownies mimic the soft, chewy, caramel flavors of a classic chocolate chip cookie in bar form. They can be prepared in under an hour and require minimal prep. There’s no need to roll out dough balls, giving you more time to experiment and have fun with the mix-ins. We stick to simple additions like chocolate chips and Heath bars, but you can also incorporate other ingredients such as marshmallows, pistachios or peanut butter swirls.

Butterscotch Brownies Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour: We prefer using it because it helps develop that soft, tender, cakey texture in these butterscotch brownies.
  • Brown sugar: The brown sugar contributes to the nostalgic caramelized flavors of these butterscotch brownies.
  • Baking powder: Baking powder is required in the batter for these butterscotch brownies to rise.
  • Butter: This recipe uses melted butter to infuse rich and comforting flavors into this butterscotch brownie.
  • Eggs: The eggs in this recipe make this butterscotch brownie chewy and not too cakey.
  • Vanilla extract: We toss some vanilla extract into the batter to enhance the buttery and caramel flavors.
  • Chocolate chips: Butterscotch and chocolate are dynamic, so we make sure to fold chips into the batter.
  • Heath bar: We crumble this delicious chocolate bar stuffed with toffee and sweet and salty flavors into the batter.

Directions   

Step 1: Make the butterscotch brownie batter

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. In another bowl, beat the melted butter, eggs and vanilla until smooth. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry. Mix the ingredients until combined—the batter will be thick.

Step 2: Bake the butterscotch brownies

Spread the batter into a 13×9-inch baking pan coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle the chocolate chunks and chopped heath bar and press the toppings gently into the batter. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Cool the brownies completely in the pan on a wire rack. When you’re ready to serve, cut them into bars.

Butterscotch Brownies Variations 

  • Fold in pistachios: For a delicious crunchy bite, crush some pistachios and mix them into the batter of these butterscotch brownies.
  • Make a brown butter: When melting the butter, cook it for a little longer to turn it into brown butter. This will infuse even more caramelized flavors into your butterscotch brownies. Here’s a step by step guide on how to make brown butter.
  • Try a s’mores flavor: Fold marshmallows, chocolate chips and crushed graham crackers into the batter for a take on s’mores.

How to Store Butterscotch Brownies 

After baking the butterscotch brownies, let them cool and store them in an airtight container. They should stay fresh for about a week. If they become stale, you can place a piece of bread in the container to help restore their moisture.

Can you make this butterscotch brownie recipe ahead of time? 

If you’re setting aside your Sunday for baking a delicious treat to enjoy throughout the week, this is the ideal recipe. After making the brownies, store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to a week.

Can you freeze this butterscotch brownie recipe?

If you have leftover butterscotch brownies, store them in an airtight container in the freezer for two to three months. When you’re ready to eat them, thaw them until they reach room temperature.

How long do butterscotch brownies last? 

These butterscotch brownies can last up to a week when stored in an airtight container in the fridge or you can freeze them for two to three months.

Butterscotch Brownies Tips

Can I make a vegan version of these butterscotch brownies?

If you prefer plant-based treats, you can enjoy this recipe by making a few simple swaps. First, nix the eggs for applesauce and the butter for a vegan version. Look for dairy-free chocolate or other mix-ins to toss into the batter. Then, you can follow the recipe as is and you’ll end up with tasty butterscotch brownies.

How do I know when these butterscotch brownies are finished baking?

Use a toothpick to help you decide whether butterscotch brownies are finished baking. Insert a toothpick into the middle of a brownie and if it comes out with a few crumbs, it’s ready. If it comes out with wet batter, bake it for a little longer.

What can I serve these butterscotch brownies with?

These butterscotch brownies shine as the base of a decked-out ice cream sundae. But you can also enjoy them with an espresso, too.

Butterscotch Brownies

Prep Time 15 min
Cook Time 20 min
Yield 2 dozen

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups packed brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chunks, optional
  • 4 Heath candy bars (1.4 ounces each), coarsely chopped, optional

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, beat the butter, eggs and vanilla until smooth. Stir into dry ingredients just until combined (batter will be thick).
  2. Spread into a 13x9-in. baking pan coated with cooking spray. If desired, sprinkle with chocolate chunks and chopped candy bars; press gently into batter.
  3. Bake at 350° until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 20-25 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

Nutrition Facts

1 brownie: 220 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 123mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (26g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.

Toffee and chocolate dot the golden brown batter of these delightful butterscotch brownies. I do a lot of cooking for the police officers I work with, and they always line up for these treats. —Jennifer Ann Sopko, Battle Creek, Michigan
Recipe Creator