I have a lovely autumn offering for you today. In case you’ve forgotten, butterscotch is an awesome fall flavor. Just imagine eating these cookie bars by a fire pit while the leaves crunch underfoot.
Or, you know, hidden in a closet from your kids. Whichever image suits you best.
I can’t think of a happier way to highlight the superiority of butterscotch than these thick cookie bars. They’re chock-full of butterscotch chips and topped off with even more of the stuff. Say hello to my new favorite bar cookie!
Recently, my favorite protein bar changed their recipe and now they taste gross. One part of me is really upset about this (time to find a new protein bar, so I’ll take suggestions!), but another part is relieved. I thought my tastes had changed, that something was wrong with me.
How often do our tastes change? They say every seven years, but it must be far more often than that. Either that, or our taste for a particular food changes every seven years, but not all foods. So, I might start liking coconut one year, and mint another, but not at the same time. What that means is that our tastes are changing all the time. That’s my nerdy theory, anyway!
When I bit into my protein bar a few weeks ago, it tasted absurdly sweet, like aspartame. I’m not into that at all, so I ate about three bites before casting it aside. Have you ever noticed that artificial sweeteners are often way too sweet? They just don’t taste good, not even to a dessert fanatic like me. There is such a thing as too much.
And too spicy, too. Kenny can eat food with any degree of heat, shrug, and say it’s not hot enough. Not me. I’m a total wimp. I take a bite of my favorite spicy crunchy salmon roll and have to down half a glass of water before eating another piece. Too much spice just ruins the flavor of the dish.
So not only do our tastes change, but they’re highly subjective. Never bother apologizing for your taste. If someone thinks you’re crazy because the thought of Thin Mints doesn’t get your heart racing with glee, tell them to get over it and enjoy having all the cookies to themselves. More for them!
And if you don’t like butterscotch, I’m not really sure what your problem is, but I accept it. Still, these bars are the very essence of butterscotch goodness, all chewy and thick and desirable. If you have no problem with butterscotch, get on this train, like, yesterday.
Look at how thick these guys are. I’m so proud of them. They have some real heft. Everyone loves a bar with bite. And they’re not only brown sugary, but they’re also full of butterscotch chips. I was very generous.
If you look closely at the pics, you’ll notice that the butterscotch chips on top are sort of melted-looking and bendy at the edges. That’s because I piled them on right after these bars came out of the oven. Butterscotch chips will pretty much hold their form unless you really force them not to, but if you put these on while the bars are hot, the chips will melt into the top of the bars and stay there, for the most part. Some will come off, and then you’ll eat them. It works either way.
When you’re done, you have a dessert bar to be proud of, something that is autumnal but that isn’t made out of apple or pumpkin. How’s that for change? After all, our tastes change all the time, and so should our treats. Getting stuck in a dessert rut is a big no-no. Embrace change!
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1 cup butterscotch chips, divided
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350. Line an 8-inch square pan with aluminum foil, leaving enough to hang over the sides. Coat with cooking spray.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and mix again. Gradually add the flour, mixing until just incorporated. Fold in 1/2 cup of the butterscotch chips, leaving the rest for the top.
- Pat the cookie dough onto the prepared pan evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and set.
- Turn the oven off and sprinkle the remaining butterscotch chips on top. Return to the oven for two minutes.
- Remove the bars from the oven and cool completely. Cut into squares. Store in an airtight container.
3.1
https://justaboutbaked.com/butterscotch-cookie-bars/
I love these pictures so much!! And the bars, obvi!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted…Apple Cider Pound Cake
Thanks, Dorothy! Always trying to get the pics right…so that means a lot!
I loveee butterscotch and these bars look like perfection! I’ve noticed over the years that I like more and more foods… I usually stop liking things when I eat too much of them!!
Sues recently posted…Friday I’m In Love: Winnie the Pup
Exactly my experience too, Sues! I think I overdid those protein bars, for sure.
these look SO melt-in-your-mouth delicious! cookie bars are the best and I LOVE butterscotch SO much! these look amazing!!! 😉
Thanks, Michele! They are pretty awesome. I’m gonna brag. 🙂
I think I did forget that butterscotch was a Fall flavor. Thanks for the awesome reminder! These bars look so decadent and delicious. Your pictures are beautiful by the way. 😉
Michele recently posted…Chocolate Pumpkin Cupcakes with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting
That’s so sweet, Michele. Thanks! I tried SO hard. 🙂
Butterscotch is definitely a perfect fall flavor! These cookie bars just scream fall and deliciousness. I love how easy these are to whip up, too!
Gayle@Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Mini Caramel Apple Yogurt Pies
Totally easy and worth all the time, Gayle. Thanks!
Thanks for the butterscotch reminder – I do love it so much, and why don’t I make more butterscotch things? I think I better catch up with these delectable cookie bars. 🙂
Kate @ Framed Cooks recently posted…Pancake Breakfast Sandwiches
I always wonder why I don’t make more butterscotch, too. It’s hard to remember when there is SO much deliciousness out there!
Mir, I love these cookie bars!!! and all the butterscotch chips on top! I hear you on the protein/granola/energy bars. . this is why I make my own or buy Larabars. . no weird ingredients at all!!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom recently posted…Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
I want your best protein bar recipe, Alice! Is it on your blog? I’ll take a look. I’m into lower sugar, but it’s hard to find a lower sugar bar that isn’t full of sucralose. So if you have ideas, let me know!
I never really think of butterscotch as an autumn flavour, but now I think about it, I guess it is. Any time of year though it is good. It reminds me of being a kid 🙂
Me too, Dannii. It’s so comforting!
Butterscotch is ALWAYS in season in my world, but especially in fall… it just tastes that much more magical, right? BUT, butterscotch in a cookie bar? GAH GIMMIE! These rock, chicka. I’ll eat them hidden in a closet, out by a fire, in my car, plastered on my couch… upside down, right side up. Whatever. JUST HAND EM OVER! 🙂 Pinned! As for a protein bar suggestion, I don’t have one… I think they all taste weird. I will only eat protein powder stuff in smoothie form. Sorry I can’t be any help there 🙁 But I AM with you on our tastebuds always-a-changin’! However, my tastebuds will always crave these bars, that ain’t changin’! 🙂 Cheers, girlfriend!
You’re right that all the protein bars taste weird. But I can kind of adjust to some of them. Truth is, real protein is better, but it’s so hard to meet the quotas quickly without having to cook all the time. Thanks, girl!
Butterscotch is a flavor that I don’t think about often. I love it though, and really need more in my life. These cookie bars look amazing.
Jen | Baked by an Introvert recently posted…Salted Dulce de Leche Thumbprint Cookies
Thanks, Jen! I’ve been thinking about it a lot with these bars in my house!
When I read your line about not knowing what’s wrong with someone who doesn’t like butterscotch, I burst out laughing. When I was a kid my mom made butterscotch bars at Christmas every year from her old crinkled cookbook. This looks like a walk down memory lane for me. Yum!
Amanda recently posted…Corn Masa Pizza Dough
I want to try those bars, Amanda! Sounds like a perfect Christmas treat. Yay for your mom!
I love how these bars are loaded with the butterscotch chips! And good job on the pictures Mir, I can see a lot of improvement, keep it up!! 🙂
Manali @ CookWithManali recently posted…Baked Pumpkin Donuts with Chocolate Ganache
Thanks for the encouragement, Manali! I’m always trying to get better. I’ll never be as good as you, but man…gotta keep plugging away!
I know I’ve said this before, but your dessert bars are always gorgeous Mir! Love butterscotch! Pinning!
Mira recently posted…Peanut Butter Oat Sandwich Cookies
So sweet, Mira! Thanks for the props!
These look DELICIOUS! Love allll the butterscotch goodness happening here- especially all those chips!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout recently posted…Vegan Portobello Pumpkin Ravioli with Sage & Walnut Pesto
Thanks, Medha! I am all about piling on those chips…
I had no idea that butterscotch is a fall thing! I’ll take these bars sitting by the fire pit (if I had one – beer brewing pot over propane?) or hiding in my closet. Not that I have any little people around to hide from, but why would I want to share with anyone? And I’m with you on the mint and coconut and Thin Mints totally do not blow my dress up!
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks recently posted…Salted Caramel Apples
I’m so glad I’m not the only non-Thin Mint lover, Rachelle! I learned that butterscotch is a fall thing recently. Imagine it with a hot toddy…or beer. 🙂
I do like pumpkin desserts, but in moderation. Variety is essential. I have no idea why people tend to obsess exclusively over pumpkin once fall gets here. Your butterscotch bars are everything a fall dessert should be; warming flavors, chewy texture, perfect with a steaming cup of something (my choice is coffee)! Beautiful, Mir!
Wendy recently posted…Vanilla Bean Mini-Bundt Cakes with Chocolate-Toffee Crunch
You could not have put it better, Wendy. Everyone goes crazy with the pumpkin, so I feel like I have to also. Let’s change it up!
Love fall. Love these bars. And love these delicious photos. So much to love here! 🙂
Thanks so much, Anu!
Mir – I love a good butterscotch recipe. These bars look so decadent. 🙂
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg recently posted…Pumpkin Spice Muddy Buddies
Thanks, Erin! They make me pretty happy!