Irresistibly Gooey Butterscotch Nut Bars Recipe for Sweet Cravings

These decadent butterscotch nut bars melt with rich, buttery goodness that elevates your dessert game to new heights.

Sweet caramel notes dance through a crunchy nut-studded base, creating a symphony of textures and flavors.

The golden butterscotch chips bring a luxurious warmth to every single bite.

Layers of brown sugar and butter intertwine, creating a deeply satisfying treat that feels both nostalgic and indulgent.

Nutty undertones provide a delightful contrast to the sweet, gooey core of these irresistible bars.

Each square promises a perfect balance of crisp edges and soft, luscious center.

Prepare to be transported by this simple yet extraordinary dessert that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Why Butterscotch Nut Bars Are Addictive

• Craft Delectable Dessert: Dive into a heavenly treat that combines the rich, buttery flavors of butterscotch with crunchy roasted nuts, creating an irresistible dessert experience.
• Simplify Baking Process: Utilize convenient sugar cookie mix and pre-made pudding mix to streamline the recipe, making it accessible for bakers of all skill levels without compromising on taste.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or as a sweet indulgence, these bars appeal to both kids and adults with their gooey caramel and nutty crunch.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare these bars in advance and store them easily, allowing you to have a delicious dessert ready whenever sweet cravings strike or unexpected guests arrive.

Butterscotch Nut Bar Ingredients

• Sugar Cookie Mix: A convenient base that provides a sweet, buttery foundation for the bars.
• Butterscotch Pudding Mix: Adds rich butterscotch flavor and helps bind the crust together.
• Butter: Creates a rich, tender texture in the cookie base.
• Egg: Helps bind the ingredients and provides structure to the crust.

• Caramels: Create a gooey, sweet layer that holds the nuts together.
• Evaporated Milk: Helps create a smooth, creamy caramel mixture.
• Roasted Macadamia Nuts, Roasted Cashews: Provide a crunchy texture and nutty flavor to the bars.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall depth of flavor in the caramel nut mixture.

• Butterscotch Chips: Add extra butterscotch flavor and create a decorative topping for the bars.

How to Make Butterscotch Nut Bars

Step 1: Create Cookie Base Dough

Grab a large mixing bowl and combine sugar cookie mix, butterscotch pudding mix, softened butter, and egg.

Mix everything until you form a thick, slightly sticky dough that holds together perfectly.

Step 2: Shape and Bake Crust

Press the dough into an ungreased 9×13 inch baking pan, using your fingers or a spoon to spread it evenly.

Slide the pan into a preheated oven at 350F (175C) and bake for 20-25 minutes until the edges turn golden and the crust sets.

Step 3: Melt Caramel Goodness

• Unwrapped caramels
• Evaporated milk

Heat over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until caramels completely dissolve into a silky smooth mixture.

This takes about 5-7 minutes of patient stirring.

Step 4: Infuse Nuts into Caramel

• Roasted macadamia nuts
• Roasted cashews
• Vanilla extract

Coat the nuts thoroughly in the rich caramel sauce.

Step 5: Layer and Top the Bars

Pull the baked crust from the oven and immediately pour the hot caramel-nut mixture over it.

Spread evenly to cover the entire surface.

While the caramel is still hot, sprinkle butterscotch chips across the top.

The warmth will help the chips slightly soften and stick.

Step 6: Cool and Slice

Let the bars cool completely at room temperature for about 2 hours.

For cleaner cuts, pop them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Slice into 24 bars using a 6×4 grid pattern.

Step 7: Store and Enjoy

Keep the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

For longer storage, refrigerate.

Use parchment paper between layers if stacking to prevent sticking.

Tips for Gooey Butterscotch Bars

• Choose fresh, high-quality butterscotch pudding mix and premium nuts like roasted macadamia and cashews for maximum flavor depth.
• Stir caramel mixture constantly and maintain low-medium heat to prevent burning, ensuring smooth and silky texture.
• Press cookie dough evenly and avoid overmixing to create a tender, crumbly base that complements the gooey caramel layer.
• Let bars cool completely at room temperature to allow caramel and butterscotch chips to set properly, creating ideal chewy consistency.
• Use airtight container and layer with parchment paper to maintain freshness and prevent bars from sticking together.

Butterscotch Bar Flavor Ideas

• Gluten-Free Butterscotch Bars: Replace sugar cookie mix with gluten-free sugar cookie mix and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Vegan Caramel Nut Bars: Swap butter with coconut oil, use vegan caramel alternative, replace egg with flax egg, and select dairy-free butterscotch chips.
• Almond Coconut Variation: Substitute macadamia and cashew nuts with sliced almonds and toasted coconut flakes for a different nutty profile.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use sugar-free pudding mix, replace caramels with sugar-free caramel sauce, and select reduced-sugar butterscotch chips to minimize overall sweetness.

Serving Butterscotch Nut Bars Best

• Cozy Dessert Companion: Pair these butterscotch bars with a warm mug of vanilla chai tea for a delightful flavor harmony that complements the rich caramel and nutty undertones.
• Sweet Scoop Sidekick: Serve alongside a generous scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, letting the cold creaminess contrast beautifully with the warm, gooey bar texture.
• Breakfast Transformation: Crumble the bars over morning yogurt or oatmeal for an indulgent breakfast twist that adds a delicious caramel crunch to your first meal.
• Coffee Shop Experience: Create a coffee shop moment by plating the bar with a freshly brewed espresso or cappuccino, elevating the dessert into a sophisticated treat perfect for afternoon relaxation.

Storing Butterscotch Nut Bars Well

• Preserve the bars' texture and flavor by storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They'll stay fresh and delicious for up to 7 days, maintaining their gooey caramel and crunchy nut consistency.
• Keep bars at room temperature in a sealed container for short-term storage, ensuring they remain soft and enjoyable for 3 days. Protect them from direct sunlight and heat to prevent melting.
• Separate each bar with parchment paper or wax paper when stacking in storage containers. This prevents the butterscotch chips and caramel from sticking together and maintains individual bar integrity.

FAQs

• What ingredients give these bars their unique flavor?

The combination of butterscotch pudding mix, caramel, butterscotch chips, and mixed nuts creates a rich, indulgent taste that blends sweet and nutty flavors perfectly.

• Are these bars difficult to make?

Not at all! These bars are surprisingly simple to prepare. The recipe uses a sugar cookie mix as a base and requires basic mixing and melting techniques that even beginner bakers can master.

• Can I substitute the nuts?

Absolutely! You can use any combination of roasted nuts like pecans, almonds, or walnuts if you don’t have macadamia nuts and cashews. Just ensure they’re roasted for the best flavor.

Gooey Butterscotch Nut Bars Recipe

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4.6 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sweet and nutty Butterscotch Nut Bars promise a delightful dessert experience that whisks souls into pure indulgence. Rich layers of buttery goodness and caramelized nuts make you crave each irresistible bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup roasted macadamia nuts
• 1 cup roasted cashews
• 1 package (14 oz) caramels, unwrapped

Base Ingredients:

• 1 package (17.5 ounces / 496 grams) sugar cookie mix
• 1 package (3.4 ounces / 96 grams) instant butterscotch pudding mix
• 1/2 cup (113 grams) butter, softened
• 1 egg

Additional Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) evaporated milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup butterscotch chips

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center for even baking.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine sugar cookie mix, butterscotch pudding mix, softened butter, and egg. Blend thoroughly until a uniform, slightly sticky dough develops.
3. Transfer the dough to an ungreased 9×13 inch baking pan. Use fingertips or a spatula to distribute the mixture evenly, creating a smooth, consistent layer.
4. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the crust sets and edges turn golden brown.
5. Meanwhile, prepare the caramel sauce by placing unwrapped caramels and evaporated milk in a large saucepan. Melt over medium-low heat, stirring continuously for 5-7 minutes until completely smooth.
6. Remove caramel from heat and fold in roasted macadamia nuts, roasted cashews, and vanilla extract, ensuring all ingredients are thoroughly coated.
7. After removing the crust from the oven, immediately pour the hot caramel-nut mixture over the surface, spreading to create an even layer.
8. Quickly scatter butterscotch chips across the warm caramel, allowing the residual heat to slightly soften the chips.
9. Let the bars cool completely at room temperature for approximately 2 hours. For precise cutting, refrigerate for 30 minutes before slicing into 24 squares.
10. Preserve bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for extended freshness. Use parchment paper between layers when stacking.

Notes

• Choose high-quality caramels for a richer, more luxurious flavor that elevates the entire dessert experience.
• Toasting nuts beforehand intensifies their natural oils and creates a deeper, more complex nutty taste that complements the butterscotch.
• For a gluten-free version, swap the sugar cookie mix with a gluten-free alternative and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Create a dairy-free adaptation by using coconut milk instead of evaporated milk and plant-based butter substitutes in the base.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg