Peanut butter and butterscotch are a match made in dessert heaven, and these bars are proof. They’re soft, chewy, and rich with flavor, combining the nutty creaminess of peanut butter with the caramel-like sweetness of butterscotch. Add in a swirl of chocolate chips, and you’ve got a dessert bar that’s both comforting and irresistible. Perfect for bake sales, holidays, or a quick homemade treat, these bars are as easy to make as they are to enjoy.
Ingredients
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butterscotch chips
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
Extra butterscotch and chocolate chips for topping (optional)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter and peanut butter until smooth and creamy. Add the brown sugar and stir until well blended.
Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until fully incorporated and slightly fluffy.
Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt just until combined. Be careful not to overmix, as that can make the bars dense.
Fold in the butterscotch and chocolate chips, making sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Spread the batter into the prepared baking dish, smoothing the top with a spatula. Sprinkle extra chips on top if you want a more decorative finish.
Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out mostly clean (a few moist crumbs are perfect for chewy bars).
Let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares for neat edges and gooey centers.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Kcal: 295 kcal
Servings: 12 bars
Tips
Don’t overbake—these bars are best when slightly gooey in the middle.
Use parchment paper with overhanging sides for easy lift-out and quick slicing.
Swap in dark chocolate chips for a more intense flavor contrast.
Serving Suggestions
These bars are delicious on their own but even better when served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For a fun party dessert, drizzle them with melted chocolate or caramel sauce before serving. They also make a great addition to cookie platters and lunchbox treats.
Storage
Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to a week or freeze them in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Simply thaw at room temperature when ready to serve.
Variations
Peanut Butter Swirl Bars – Drizzle a few spoonfuls of melted peanut butter over the top before baking and swirl with a knife for a marbled effect.
Oatmeal Butterscotch Bars – Add 1/2 cup of quick oats to the batter for a chewier, heartier version.
Nutty Crunch – Mix in 1/2 cup of chopped peanuts or pecans for extra texture.
Double Chocolate – Replace the butterscotch chips with dark chocolate chips for a more intense cocoa hit.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These bars check all the boxes for an ideal dessert: they’re easy to make, use simple pantry ingredients, and come together in under an hour. The peanut butter keeps them moist and flavorful, while the combination of butterscotch and chocolate gives them a bakery-worthy taste without any complicated steps.
Perfect for family gatherings, holidays, or a sweet snack to share with friends, these Peanut Butter Butterscotch Bars are bound to become a go-to recipe in your kitchen.