These butterscotch blondies have a rich butterscotch taste and are filled with butterscotch chips. They’re dense, chewy, fudgy and made in one bowl with no mixer. You can think of them as butterscotch brownies with deliciously gooey centers.
**This recipe was first published in July 2015 and updated January 2021 with new photos & recipe tips**
I decided to tinker with my favorite blondie recipe to get the ultimate butterscotch flavor in blondie form. They’re chewy and a little gooey with a sweet, buttery flavor. They’re big on butterscotch taste and filled with butterscotch chips. If you want to take it up a notch, adding a scoop of ice cream and a drizzle of butterscotch sauce really makes them next level.
These blondies are very sweet and very addictive – be warned!
The Best Butterscotch Blondies – Baking Science Ahead!
The rich butterscotch flavor in these blondies comes from:
- butter
- brown sugar
- vanilla
- and salt.
Brown sugar gives you a deep color and flavor. Brown sugar is actually what differentiates butterscotch from caramel – so make sure not to substitute it. Then the vanilla and salt balance off the sweetness to give that perfect butterscotchiness that doesn’t taste artificial.
What’s even better about these butterscotch blondies is that they’re so easy to make. Simply melt the butter, then whisk in the sugar. Stir in the egg and vanilla, and fold in your dry ingredients and butterscotch chips. Your blondies will be baking in no time and filling your kitchen with delicious smells.
Baking Tips & Things to Note
- Make sure you really whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar so they’re fully combined. You don’t want it to look like the butter is separate/seeping out.
- You might notice that the amount of flour is a little odd – 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons. I found 1 cup wasn’t quite enough, but 1 and ¼ cup was too much. 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons was just right.
- Now how do you get chewy, gooey blondies that aren’t the least bit cakey? Simple
- No leaveners and forget the mixer. Using leaveners (such as baking soda or baking powder) and a mixer create air bubbles that cause your batter to rise and lose its dense and fudgy texture.
- Then, bake your blondies until the top is just set and the edges are slightly pulling away. If you prefer blondies a little less gooey, then bake for a minute or 2 extra.
- This recipe is for an 8×8 inch (20×20 cm) pan. Do not use a 9×9 inch (23×23 cm) pan because there’s not quite enough batter. The recipe can be doubled and made in a 9×13 inch pan. The bars will a little thicker and the bake time will be closer to 25 minutes.
The hardest part of the recipe will BY FAR be waiting for your blondies to cool before cutting in. So I suggest starting ASAP. Chewy, fudgy, butterscotch blondies are so close! And don’t forget a scoop of ice cream and butterscotch sauce for an extra decadent dessert.
If you love butterscotch – make sure to try these butterscotch chip cookies too!
Butterscotch Blondies
Equipment
- 8x8 inch (20x20 cm) pan
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 cup brown sugar* packed
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract*
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
- ¼ teaspoon coarse salt
- ¾ cup butterscotch chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F degrees.
- Line an 8 x 8 inch (20x20 cm)* pan with aluminum foil leaving an overhang around the edges and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Or line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang.
- In a medium bowl whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar until combined. Ensure that the butter doesn't look separate.
- Make sure that the mixture isn't hot, then whisk in the egg and vanilla extract.
- Fold in the flour and salt, and then stir in the butterscotch chips.
- Pour the batter into your lined pan, and bake for 20-25 minutes until the top is just set and edges are beginning to pull away from the sides of the pan.
- Let cool in the pan until completely set - at least 1 hour.
- When ready to slice, lift the bars out of the pan using the overhang from the parchment paper/aluminum foil. Place on a cutting board and slice with a sharp knife.
Notes
- This recipe is designed for an 8x8 inch (20x20 cm) pan. Do not use a 9x9 inch (23x23 cm) pan as there is not enough batter. This recipe can be doubled and made in a 9x13 inch (23x33 cm) pan. The bake time will be around 25-27 minutes.
- I prefer to use dark brown sugar, but feel free to use light brown sugar too. These bars are very sweet. If you prefer something less sweet, you can reduce the sugar to ¾ cup.
- Yes, 1 full tablespoon of vanilla extract.
- Blondies can be kept in an air-tight container at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Blondies that are fully cooled can be frozen for up to 2 months.
- Nutrition information is an estimate only and based on 1 bar, assuming that the pan is sliced into 9 equal pieces.
Nutrition
Lisa
The cooking time was too short for my blondies. I even used a 9×9 pan, so I was surprised. Maybe it took longer because it was glass…?
Fiona
Hi Lisa,
The blondies are definitely fudgy – but I know a glass pan can take longer to heat up, which may have caused the need to increase the cooking time. I hope you still enjoyed the recipe!
CWOK
These were WONDERFUL–I made them for a Halloween party at work and they were demolished in no time flat. Glad I saved 2 for myself before I put them on the table!!! I love how chewy and fudgy they are. Thanks for a great recipe. Will definitely check out more of your blog (linked here from Pinterest). 🙂
Fiona
I’m so glad that everyone loved the cookies so much – and that you were able to save a couple for yourself! 🙂
Penny
I made these last night! AMAZING!
Fiona
Thanks Penny!
Katherine
The level of fudginess here is incredible. Wow! *gazes longingly at pictures*
Michelle
These are incredible! My 4 year old exclaimed with joy that these are her favorite brownies ever! Sweet, fudgy and addictive. Thank you for sharing. We wouldn’t change a thing.
Fiona
Thanks Michelle!
Darla
Can I double the recipe and bake in two separate 9 by 9 pans?
Fiona
You could definitely do that, or double the recipe and bake it in a 9×13 inch pan. The bake time should be about the same.
Brianna
Made these for my boyfriend on his birthday, he is a huge butterscotch fan. First time I’ve made blondies, so was unsure of how they would turn out. Let’s put it this way, between him and his brother, I got one bite, before the were gone!
So good, I’m making three more batches for a few friends, and hiding a batch away for myself!
Lauren
Can these be made with regular salt?
Fiona
For sure!
Vanessa
My 4-year-old and I wanted to bake something and we came across this recipe and thought they sounded amazing. So we got everything out and started mixing when I realized we had no eggs. I quickly did a search and found out that I could substitute 3 Tbs peanut butter for 1 egg. Oh my gosh were they amazing!
Fiona
I’m so glad you love the blondies. I’ve never tried that substitution before for eggs – I’ll have to try it! Thanks for the tip 🙂
Hannah
If I doubled this and put it in a 9×13 pan, how much longer should I bake it?
Fiona
It would be about the same bake bake time – just a little more on the longer side. I’d say about 23-27 minutes 🙂
Jacqueline M O'Neill
Can I,use regular sugar instead????
Fiona
The recipe will still turn out – the flavor will just be a little less butterscotch-y and the bars might be a little crispier.