4.36 from 269 votes

Butterscotch Blondies

If you’re a fan of chewy, buttery bars with that rich, caramel-y vibe, you’ll want to make these Butterscotch Blondies ASAP. They’re everything you love about a brownie—without the chocolate. Instead, they’re loaded with brown sugar and pecans for a sweet, nutty bite that feels a little nostalgic and a whole lot delicious.

Butterscotch blondies cut on a piece of parchment paper.


This is one of those easy, no-fuss recipes I reach for when craving something homemade but don’t want to mess around with frosting or layers. Just mix, bake, slice, and enjoy. The edges get golden and crisp, the center stays soft and chewy, and the pecans give it just the right amount of crunch.

Perfect for bake sales, potlucks, or when you just want something sweet with your coffee. Trust me, once you taste them, you’ll be hooked.

I’ve been making this butterscotch blondie recipe for years, and they’ve become a bit of a family tradition. I still remember the first time I baked them—it was a rainy Sunday afternoon, and I was craving something sweet but didn’t want to run to the store. I had just enough brown sugar and a half bag of pecans in the pantry, so I figured I’d give it a go. They were a hit from the very first batch. It’s one of those simple recipes that brings a little warmth to the day, and always disappears fast.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Rich butterscotch flavor: Thanks to a full two cups of brown sugar, every bite is sweet, buttery, and full of caramel notes.
  • Easy to make: No mixer needed—just a bowl, a spoon, and a few pantry staples.
  • Chewy texture: The blondies bake up with crisp edges and a soft, fudgy center.
  • Great for sharing: Makes a big batch that’s perfect for potlucks, bake sales, or just treating your friends and family.
  • Customizable: Swap the pecans for walnuts, chocolate chips, or keep them plain—it’s totally up to you.

Ingredients

Get our FREE
e-cookbook

    We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime.

    The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

    • Unsalted butter: Using melted butter gives the blondies a dense, chewy texture—just make sure it’s slightly cooled before mixing with the eggs.
    • Brown sugar: This is where all that rich butterscotch flavor comes from. Light or dark brown sugar both work—dark will give a deeper molasses taste.
    • Large eggs: Help bind everything together and add richness. Room temperature eggs mix in more smoothly.
    • Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth—don’t skip it!
    • All-purpose flour: The base of the batter; spoon and level it so your blondies don’t end up too dense.
    • Baking powder: Gives the blondies a bit of lift so they’re not too heavy.
    • Salt: Balances out the sweetness and enhances the butterscotch flavor.
    • Chopped pecans: Add a nutty crunch. Toasting them first brings out even more flavor, but they’re delicious either way.
    Ingredients on a beige surface.

    How to Make Butterscotch Blondies

    • Step One: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
    • Step Two: Mix the butter and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl.
    • Step Three: Add in eggs and vanilla and stir to combine. 
    • Step Four: Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt. Add in nuts and stir to combine.
    Collage of mixing ingredients in a bowl.
    • Step Five: Spread the mixture in the baking pan. Bake for 30 to 33 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool before cutting into squares.
    Collage of baking the recipe in a pan.

    What to Serve With Them

    These Butterscotch Blondies are pretty perfect on their own, but if you want to dress them up or turn them into a full-on dessert, here are a few tasty ideas:

    • Fresh fruit: A few berries on the side add a nice pop of freshness if you want to balance the sweetness a bit.
    • A scoop of vanilla ice cream: The warm blondie and cold ice cream combo is next-level delicious.
    • Drizzle of butterscotch sauce: For an extra hit of butterscotch goodness, a little butterscotch goes a long way.
    • Cup of coffee or tea: These sweet and rich bars are perfect for an afternoon treat with a hot drink.
    A stack of the recipe.

    Variations and Substitutions

    • Try browned butter: For a nuttier, richer taste, brown the butter before mixing it in (just be sure to let it cool first).
    • Swap the nuts: Not a fan of pecans? Try walnuts, almonds, or leave them out entirely for a smoother bite.
    • Add chocolate chips: Toss in a cup of semi-sweet or white chocolate chips for a blondie-meets-cookie-bar twist.
    • Use dark brown sugar: For a deeper, more molasses-y flavor, substitute light brown sugar for dark.
    • Gluten-free option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend instead of the all-purpose flour.
    • Add a sprinkle of sea salt: A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top after baking really brings out the butterscotch flavor.
    The recipe on a plate.

    Storage Instructions

    Let the blondies cool completely before storing. You can keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days—if they last that long! 

    Storing them in the fridge isn’t necessary and can actually dry them out or make them a bit too firm.

    For longer storage, place them in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Just pop one in the microwave for a few seconds to warm it up and bring back that soft, chewy texture.

    Recipe Tips and Tricks

    • Cool the butter slightly before mixing it with the eggs to prevent them from scrambling.
    • Don’t overmix the batter once you add the flour—stir just until everything is combined to keep the blondies tender.
    • Use parchment paper to line your baking pan for easy removal and cleaner edges when cutting.
    • Check doneness with a toothpick—it should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. Overbaking can lead to dry blondies.
    • Let them cool before slicing to help them set up and hold their shape better (even though it’s tempting to dig in early!).
    • Toast the pecans beforehand to bring out their flavor—it adds a little something extra without much effort.
    The recipe topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

    Can I Use Margarine Instead of Butter?

    I don’t recommend it for this recipe. Butter adds that rich, classic flavor that really makes the butterscotch shine, and it also helps give the blondies their chewy, dense texture. Margarine just doesn’t deliver the same depth of flavor, and depending on the brand, it can sometimes make the bars greasy or too soft. If you want that perfect balance of sweetness, chewiness, and buttery goodness, stick with the real deal.

    Why Are There No Butterscotch Chips?

    Despite the name, butterscotch flavor doesn’t actually require butterscotch chips. Traditional butterscotch is made from just two key ingredients: brown sugar and butter. When those two melt together, they create that rich, caramel-like taste we associate with butterscotch.

    In these blondies, the melted butter and brown sugar do all the heavy lifting when it comes to flavor. So even though there are no chips in the mix, the classic butterscotch taste is still front and center—no extras needed! But if you really want to lean into it, tossing in some butterscotch chips is always a tasty option.

    What is a Blondie?

    A blondie is kind of like a brownie’s golden cousin. Instead of cocoa or melted chocolate, blondies are made with brown sugar and butter as the base, which gives them that rich, caramel-y flavor. They have the same chewy, fudgy texture as a brownie, but with a sweet, buttery taste that’s all their own.

    You can think of them as a cross between a cookie bar and a brownie—but without the chocolate. Blondies are super versatile, too. You can add nuts, chocolate chips, dried fruit, or just enjoy them plain.

    Try my other blondie recipes: Brown Butter Caramel Blondies and Biscoff Blondies with White Chocolate.

    Butterscotch Desserts

    Follow me on Instagram @simplystacieblog, Facebook at Simply Stacie, TikTok @simplystacierecipes or Pinterest at @simplystacie and let me know how you liked this recipe and my other recipes.

    4.36 from 269 votes

    Butterscotch Blondies

    Created by Stacie Vaughan
    Servings 18
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 30 minutes
    Total Time 40 minutes
    These chewy butterscotch blondies are packed with rich brown sugar flavor, crunchy pecans, and made in one bowl—an easy dessert bar recipe everyone will love.

    SAVE THIS RECIPE!

    Enter your email and we’ll send this recipe to your inbox.

    Ingredients
     
     

    • ½ cup unsalted butter melted
    • 2 cups brown sugar
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1 tsp vanilla
    • 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
    • 2 tsp baking powder
    • 1 tsp salt
    • 1 cup pecans chopped

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan and set aside.
    • Stir together butter and brown sugar. Add in eggs and vanilla and stir to combine. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt. Add in nuts and stir to combine.
    • Spread mixture in baking pan. Bake for 30 to 33 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool before cutting into squares.
    Shop the recommended products Plus browse all of my favorite products I use to create easy everyday recipes!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1piece | Calories: 192kcal | Carbohydrates: 24.8g | Protein: 2.4g | Fat: 9.7g | Saturated Fat: 3.7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5.4g | Cholesterol: 34.2mg | Sodium: 143mg | Fiber: 0.8g | Sugar: 15.9g

    The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

    Course Desserts
    Cuisine American
    Keyword blondies, butterscotch

    Did you make this recipe?

    I’d love to see it! Make sure to share it on your favorite social platform.

    Want Even More Recipes?

    Join Moms Best Recipes to find more delicious family recipes.


    The Best of Simply Stacie ebook cover.

    free ebook!

    The Best of Simply Stacie

    When you subscribe to the newsletter for the latest updates!

    4.36 from 269 votes (265 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    52 Comments

    1. Sorry if im writting incorrectly, english is my second language. my only issue is that the batter even though you use the correct size of the mold it climbs up the baking sheets and then deflates back down. Does not look very pretty, tastes okay. i only modified not adding nuts since my father in law is allergic and just added white chocolate chip.
      In other words: its okay, too much baking powder in my opinion. good flavor but did personally prefer adding more vanilla and if you want a butterscotch flavor just making the extract helps its just butter and brown sugar with a little vanilla. its like a caramel flavor. Used different molds and sizes the batter still climbed the baking paper sheets.

      I understood the recipe, technique, and ingredients needed and visualizing it sounds pretty nice. But it just wasnt for me, instructions are very easy to follow for begginers.
      Still i appreciate the baker for sharing this recipe, people should really google what is butterscotch.

    2. Jennica M. Austin says:

      1 star
      It didn’t taste like butterscotch at all.

    Similar Posts