These Butterscotch Toffee Cookie Bars are rich, chewy, and packed with deep, buttery sweetness. They have a soft cookie base filled with butterscotch chips and crunchy toffee bits, making every bite a perfect balance of soft and crisp textures. I love how easy they are to make with simple pantry ingredients and how quickly they become the star of any dessert spread.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it’s quick, simple, and delivers major flavor. The butterscotch adds a warm, caramel-like sweetness while the toffee bits give a satisfying crunch. These bars are ideal for potlucks, bake sales, or just when I need a sweet fix. Plus, no need to scoop out cookies one by one—I just press the dough into a pan, bake, and slice.
ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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All-purpose flour
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Baking soda
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Salt
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Unsalted butter, softened
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Brown sugar
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Granulated sugar
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Eggs
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Vanilla extract
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Butterscotch chips
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Toffee bits
directions
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I start by preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or greasing it lightly.
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In a bowl, I whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
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In another large bowl, I beat the softened butter with both sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy.
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I add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each, then stir in the vanilla extract.
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Gradually, I add the dry ingredients to the wet, stirring until just combined.
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I fold in the butterscotch chips and toffee bits until they’re evenly distributed.
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Then, I spread the dough evenly in the prepared baking pan.
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I bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
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Once done, I let the bars cool in the pan before cutting them into squares or rectangles.
Servings and timing
This recipe yields about 24 bars.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake time: 25–30 minutes
Total time: 40–45 minutes
Variations
I like to switch things up by adding chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for extra crunch. If I’m craving a little chocolate, I’ll mix in some chocolate chips alongside the butterscotch. For a more festive version, I sometimes top the bars with a drizzle of caramel or a sprinkle of sea salt right after baking.
storage/reheating
I store these cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them even longer, I freeze them by layering with parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. When I’m ready to enjoy one, I thaw it at room temp or warm it in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to bring back that fresh-from-the-oven feel.
FAQs
How do I know when the bars are fully baked?
I look for a golden top and slightly firm edges. A toothpick inserted should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, I’ve used salted butter in a pinch. I just reduce the added salt in the recipe slightly to balance it out.
Are these bars chewy or crunchy?
They’re mostly chewy with a slight crunch from the toffee bits. If I bake them a little longer, the edges get crispier.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, I’ve had success using a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour. I make sure it contains xanthan gum for the right texture.
Do I need to chill the dough before baking?
No chilling is needed for this recipe. I love that I can mix and bake right away without waiting.
Conclusion
These Butterscotch Toffee Cookie Bars are one of my favorite quick bakes. They deliver rich, sweet, and buttery flavors with minimal effort. Whether I’m baking for guests or just indulging myself, they always hit the spot. I keep coming back to this recipe whenever I need something cozy, crunchy, and delicious.
Print
Butterscotch Toffee Cookie Bars
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Rich, chewy Butterscotch Toffee Cookie Bars with a buttery cookie base, loaded with butterscotch chips and crunchy toffee bits. Easy to make and perfect for any dessert table.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
- 1 cup toffee bits
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with brown and granulated sugars until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined.
- Fold in the butterscotch chips and toffee bits evenly.
- Spread the dough evenly in the prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Let the bars cool in the pan before cutting into squares or rectangles.
Notes
- For extra crunch, add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts.
- Mix in chocolate chips for a twist on the flavor.
- Top with caramel drizzle or sea salt for a festive touch.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg