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July 6, 201170 Comments 4.7
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Rich butterscotch chips and a terrific chewy oatmeal texture combine to make these Oatmeal Butterscotch Bars different from any other cookies or bars I’ve had before now.
I made these bars for the first time over 6 years ago. When Mel shared these Oatmeal Butterscotch Bars, I made them that same day! I took them to an event with friends that evening and they were the fastest thing devoured.
Several recipe requests came along with that, so I shared the recipe here as quickly as possible to make sure I would have it at my fingertips later. I love a great bar recipe. They’re perfect for get-togethers and lunch snacks too.
For more easy dessert recipes, check out these Lemon Bars, Cheesecake Cookie Bars, Cinnamon Toast Bars, and Monster Cookie Bars.
Butterscotch Bars
If anyone in your life enjoys butterscotch, I guarantee that they will find these OatmealButterscotch Bars irresistible. For more butterscotch treats, check out these Soft and Chewy ButterscotchCookies. ThisButterscotch Hot Cocoa Mix is basically what winter dreams are made of.
If the weather is still warm where you are, maybe this Butterscotch Blended Iced Coffee will hit the spot. Last but not least, this Creamy Butterscotch Pie needs to be on my Thanksgiving table this year.
Kitchen Tip: I use this pan to make and store this recipe.
PLEASE NOTE: Regarding the glaze
The glaze recipe as written is perfect for drizzling LIGHTLY over the bars – this is my preferred way to make them. For a thicker glaze, as pictured in this post, you will need to double or triple the glaze recipe.
As a result, the bars will be significantly sweeter this way. (My kids love these bars with the extra glaze, I’m partial to the very lightly drizzled version.)
IF you are going to increase the amount of glaze to top these bars, you’ll want to let the bars cool completely before pouring the glaze, so that you’ll be able to spread it across the top of the bars with a spatula. If the bars are warm when you try to spread the glaze, it won’t work well.
Butterscotch Bars Recipe
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9X13-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, letting the foil hang over each edge by one or two inches. Lightly grease the foil with cooking spray.
Whisk together the flour, oats, baking soda, and salt and then set aside. Place the ¾ cup butterscotch chips in a large bowl. Pour the hot melted butter over the butterscotch chips and whisk together until the chips are melted and smooth. Add the brown sugar and whisk until combined. Add in the egg and vanilla. Whisk until smooth. Stir in the flour mixture, just until incorporated.
Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and spread the batter evenly to the edges. Bake the bars until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs, this was about 16 minutes.
While the bars bake, place the ¼ cup butterscotch chips, brown sugar, water and salt in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the mixture until melted and smooth, this was about 2 minutes on 50% power. Whisk to combine well.
Slowly drizzle the glaze over the warm bars. Let the bars cool completely in the pan. I left the bars sitting on the counter overnight. Remove the bars from the pan using the foil overhang and cut into small squares.
These will keep well in an airtight container for several days.
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Oatmeal Butterscotch Bars
4.74 from 19 votes
Recipe slightly adapted from and with thanks to Mel's Kitchen Cafe
PinPrintReview
Servings: 12 -16 servings
Ingredients
- Bar Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups quick-cooking oatmeal
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 cup butterscotch chips
- 1 cup butter, melted
- 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Glaze Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup butterscotch chips
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9X13-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, letting the foil hang over the each short edge by one or two inches. Lightly grease the foil with cooking spray.
Whisk together the flour, oats, baking soda, and salt and then set aside. Place the ¾ cup butterscotch chips in a large bowl. Pour the hot melted butter over the butterscotch chips and whisk together until the chips are melted and smooth. Add the brown sugar and whisk until combined. Add in the egg and vanilla. Whisk until smooth. Stir in the flour mixture, just until incorporated.
Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and spread the batter evenly to the edges. Bake the bars until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs, this was about 16 minutes.
While the bars bake, place the ¼ cup butterscotch chips, brown sugar, water and salt in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the mixture until melted and smooth, this was about 2 minutes on 50% power. Whisk to combine well.
Slowly drizzle the glaze over the warm bars. Let the bars cool completely in the pan. I left the bars sitting on the counter overnight. Remove the bars from the pan using the foil overhang and cut into small squares.
These will keep well in an airtight container for several days.
Notes
The glaze recipe as written is perfect for drizzling LIGHTLY over the bars - this is my preferred way to make them. For a thicker glaze, as pictured in this post, you will need to double or triple the glaze recipe.
As a result, the bars will be significantly sweeter this way. (My kids love these bars with the extra glaze, I'm partial to the very lightly drizzled version.)
IF you are going to increase the amount of glaze to top these bars, you'll want to let the bars cool completely before pouring the glaze, so that you'll be able to spread it across the top of the bars with a spatula. If the bars are warm when you try to spread the glaze, it won't work well.
Tried this recipe?Mention @barefeetkitchen or tag #barefeetkitchen!
{originally published 6/6/11 – recipe notes and photos updated 10/22/17}
Filed under: Bars, Desserts, Recipes
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Mary Younkin
Hi, I’m Mary. I’m the author, cook, photographer, and travel lover behind the scenes here at Barefeet In The Kitchen. I'm also the author of three cookbooks dedicated to making cooking from scratch as simple as possible.
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Reader Interactions
70 Comments Leave a comment or review
Mary Anne says
I want to say thank you for sharing this recipe. We love it. From some of the comments I think some people need a lot more handholding in the kitchen. I wouldn’t take some of the criticisms too seriously. We like the texture of steel cut whole oats and that’s what I used. I found I had to let the squares bake a bit longer as a result but I just kept an eye on them and took them out when I thought they were done. I will make this again. Cheers!
Reply
Mary Younkin says
Mary Anne – Thank you for the comments. You totally get it. There are so many variables to cooking and baking and sometimes you have to use a little of your own intuition and know-how. I am so glad you loved the Butterscotch Bars.
Jeanie Lowe says
Have made these many many times and just love them. I make the extra icing on top and it’s wonderful.
Very easy and so good!!
I love the extra topping !Reply
Sheri Johnson says
My family loves these, the melted butterscotch is the key for us. I sometimes double the glaze, either way they are wonderful. Thank you for the recipe.
Reply
Mary Younkin says
Thank you, Sheri.
Olivia Pennington says
👏👏Insta hit! I made these for a Christmas Eve party, everyone loved them. The flavor is rich but not over the top. The directions given were straight forward and simple for me to follow. If a fellow baker is reading the comments right now, make them you won’t regret it!
Reply
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad the bars were a hit, Olivia.
Lauren Summers says
Delish!! The only change I made, was adding some chopped pecans to the flour/oatmeal mixture.
Will definitely make again!
Reply
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you like the recipe. I bet the additional pecans were delicious.
Lauren Summers says
Yum! Somehow my other review had 4 stars. No. These are 5 star worthy and I recommend adding chopped pecans to the flour mixture! The icing/glaze is decadent.
Everyone I have shared these with loved them!
Reply
Mary Younkin says
I’m thrilled to hear that the bars are such a big hit, Lauren! I’m glad you’re enjoying the recipe.
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