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These Butterscotch Brickle Bars have a buttery shortbread crust and the most delicious butterscotch pecan topping that make them simply impossible to resist!
A couple weeks ago, my mom and I were talking about recipes here on the blog. I said “Mom, what are some of our family favorites that are missing?” This was the first one she mentioned and I couldn’t agree more. I flipped through the recipe box and realized the recipe card was almost impossible to read.
You know it’s a good recipe when its got it’s fair share of wear ‘n tear! I’m not sure what was splattered on this recipe card, but man, you can tell this recipe has been made a time or two (or 200!).
Ingredients Needed
- All-Purpose Flour
- Brown Sugar – Light or dark brown sugar works great.
- Butter – Unsalted or salted butter is fine.
- Salt
- Butterscotch Chips
- Corn Syrup – Light or dark corn syrup is fine.
- Pecans
How to Make Butterscotch Brickle Bars
Start by mixing up the shortbread crust and pressing it into a 9×13-inch pan. Bake this until golden brown just around the edges.
While that’s baking, mix up the topping. You can heat it up on the stovetop or in the microwave. Heat just until the butter and butterscotch chips are melted.
Next, you’ll stir in the chopped pecans and spoon it over the crust. It’s hard to spread it all the way out, but do your best (it’ll spread out as it bakes).
Bake it once more then let cool completely before cutting and enjoying!
These little morsels are SO good and delightfully rich. I recommend cutting them into small squares or triangles…though everyone will want to come back for seconds and thirds! 🙂
Other Delicious Dessert Bars
Chocolate Peanut Butter Revel Bars
Butterscotch Brickle Bars
Ingredients
Shortbread Crust
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon butter room temperature
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Topping
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
- 1/4 cup corn syrup
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Combine the crust ingredients until the butter is fully incorporated.
- Press into a lightly greased 9×13 pan and bake for 10 minutes.
- While the crust is baking, in a microwave-safe bowl, combine the butterscotch chips, corn syrup, butter, water and salt.
- Microwave in 30 second intervals until the chips are melted.
- Stir in the chopped pecans then spoon the mixture over the shortbread crust and carefully spread it out.
- Bake an additional 8 minutes then let the bars cool and enjoy!
Notes
I whipped up a batch of these bars, wanting to make sure I could make them (almost) as good as Mom. Ahhh they were just like Mom made them. It took me back to the days us four kids would hop off the school bus and run inside for our afternoon snack. She always had something for us – but having homemade bars ready to be devoured was a special treat!
Anyway, the afternoon I decided to get some photos of these bars, McKinley was quietly flipping through some books just a few feet away from me. After finishing up with the photos, I looked up at her and she was very nonchalantly snacking on one of these bars….. I honestly didn’t even see her sneak one from me!! Someone explain how I wake up to her rolling over in her crib, yet I don’t even notice her walking over, grabbing a bar, and sitting back down…. Toddlers are so darn sneaky!! …..just look at that smirk! (Insert heart eyes emoji here)
Oh what a fabulous idea!! Thanks for sharing this family favorite. No doubt everyone who tries it will become a fan. Mouth-watering!!
Thanks for following along! This recipe is definitely a favorite! 🙂
My family and I love these!! How long would you say they can be stored at room temperature? I’ve only made them once, and I froze them, but found that their consistency changed once thawed out.
They would be fine stored at room temperature (covered well) for up to 5 days. So glad you enjoy this recipe!! 🙂 -Kelsey
Hi Kelsey! These look fabulous, I can’t wait to make them! I think you have a typo in Line 2 of your recipe — I’m guessing that should be the crust ingredients?
Ahhh good catch, Beverly! I just fixed it! Hope you love these bars as much as we do! 🙂
Very good! I will make again for sure!! I did add more to make the topping a little thicker. I also used pecans- will try peanuts next time!
I’ve never tried it with peanuts, so you’ll have to let me know how you like it! Pecans are just so good, I always make them that way! 🙂 I’m so glad you liked these, Liz!
I made these for a dinner with friends…they are delicious! Very sweet and rich so cutting small is best. Great alternative to all the chocolate recipes out there! Thank you!
Hi Julie – I’m so happy to hear that!!! 🙂
Kelsey, this is the exact recipe my mom had from over 50 years ago. I found her old recipe card. We always loved these bars. I had forgotten about them until I saw your recipe and will be making them for Thanksgiving. Thank you so much for reminding me of this wonderful recipe.
Yes!!! They’re such simple, yet delicious bars. I hope they’re every bit as good as you remember them to be!! 🙂 ~Kelsey