Trisha Yearwood’s Butterscotch Bars

The Ultimate Chewy, Gooey, Butterscotch Bliss

This beloved recipe from Trisha Yearwood is a Southern classic—a simple, no-fuss bar cookie with a rich butterscotch flavor, a chewy-crispy texture, and a delightful chocolate chip topping. They’re incredibly easy to make and impossible to resist.

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🍫 The Famous Recipe

Prep Time: 10 mins | Bake Time: 25-30 mins | Yield: 24 bars

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks / 226g) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cups packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional, but traditional)
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

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👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line with parchment paper.

2. Make the Batter:

• In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth.
• Whisk in the eggs and vanilla until well combined.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing just until combined.
• Stir in the nuts (if using).

3. Bake:

• Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
• Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the top.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter). The bars will look slightly underbaked but will set as they cool—this is key for chewiness.

4. Cool & Serve:

• Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into squares.
• For clean cuts, use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between slices.

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🔬 Why These Bars Work So Well

Ingredient	Role
Melted Butter	Creates a dense, chewy texture (rather than cakey).
Brown Sugar	Provides moisture, chew, and that signature butterscotch flavor.
High Baking Powder	Gives a slight lift and a unique crispy top layer.
Chocolate Chips on Top	They melt into a perfect, thin layer rather than sinking.