Yes, I know that technically with the first of the year we are all supposed to be eating healthier and all. And I actually am beginning to eat better than I had been during the holiday season. But we all need a little indulgence in our lives right? Right!
Well, I am just in the mood lately for some bar type cookies and butterscotch is one of my favorite flavors. Granted I have a lot of favorite flavors when it comes to sweets. Chocolate, lemon, mint, raspberry…… and butterscotch definitely ranks up there with them.
When I was a kid, my grandmother used to give us kids lifesavers to suck on in church. (You know…..back when there was no kids church and we had to sit there during the whole hour and a half adult program quiet as can be with no I pads, Angry Birds or cell phones to keep us occupied! 😉
Well my favorite flavor lifesaver was alway butterscotch. And you know what? I have searched high and low as an adult and I never have found those butterscotch lifesavers….maybe they stopped making them. What a shame!
But I can indulge my butterscotch cravings with these delicious Butterscotch and Toffee Gooey Brownie Bars! Now let’s talk about these beauties for a moment. Can you see the crackly crust on the top? That is what makes them brownies. But inside they are ooey, and gooey with chocolate chips and toffee chips to give them an interesting contrast in both taste and texture.
Condensed milk poured in the middle of the bars gives them a nice gooey component that I find very satisfying.
These are the kind of bars I crave anytime of the year! And anytime I need a butterscotch fix, I know I can count on these gooey brownie bars to pull me through! Yum!!
Ingredients
- 1/2 c. butter
- 1 c. butterscotch chips
- 1c. brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/2 t. vanilla
- 1 c. flour
- 1/2 t. baking powder
- 1/2 t. salt
- 3/4 c. chopped pecans
- 1/2 c. condensed milk
- 1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/3 c. toffee chips (I used Heath's Bit o' Brickle)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line an 8x8 pan or the likes (I used an 11x7) with parchment paper or foil and spray with baking spray.
- Place butter and butterscotch chips in a medium sized microwavable bowl and microwave for 45 seconds and use a rubber spatula to mush it up. Microwave another 30 seconds and then mush it together till smooth. Place aside.
- In a large bowl, mix together the brown sugar, egg and vanilla and then add the butterscotch mixture and mix together with a spatula.
- In a small bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder and salt and then incorporate it into the brownie mixture until fully incorporated. Carefully stir in the chopped pecans.
- Pour half the brownie mixture into the pan and press into the bottom of the pan with your hands. Pour the condensed milk over the top and spread evenly. Sprinkle the chocolate chips and toffee chips evenly over the top, and press the rest of the brownie mixture evenly on top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the center of the brownies becomes firm and not jiggly. The sides will be set and slightly brown. And there will be a distinct crackly texture on top of the brownies.
- Remove from the oven and allow to FULLY cool before cutting into them. It is VERY important not to cut into these bars too early or your gooey bars will make a gooey mess! The bars must have a chance to firm up and settle before cutting into them. Wait at least an hour or even longer so the bars have a good long chance to set!!
- Makes 12 bars.
These brownie bars look incredible! I wish I had one right now! I’m pinning this one for sure! 🙂
Christina, thank you so much for the pin! -I think I ate almost the whole pan myself today! I have no will power!! 😉
they look yummy!
Thank you very much Dina!
These look so, so delicious ! Brownies and butterscotch- that’s a heavenly combination! May give this recipe a go 🙂
Thank you Jess. If you are a fan of butterscotch like me, I think you will like these! Glad you stopped by. 🙂
What a wonderful treat! Butterscoth is one of my favorite flavors as well, and bars are great anytime of the year, of course! ;–)
Thank you Consuelo! I agree!! 🙂
What a delightful treat! I am a big butterscotch fan too and these brownie bars sound awesome Renee 🙂
Thank you Kelly! These bars have been keeping me company as the kids and I are nestled up in the house the past couple days with these frigid temperatures! Hey, if we are going to be cooped up in the house we might as well eat well right?!! 🙂
I’ll cheat on the healthy eating if it means I get to have one of these delicious little treats. They look great, Renee! Pinned!
Thank you for the pin and compliments Julie. -and I like the way you think! 😉
Thank you sooooo much for posting this gooey sweetness! I’m all about the sweet stuff EVEN in January when everyone is out running and working out… so not me! Besides, it’s too cold out! My family would love these! Pinning to share with the world! (=
PS… Great pictures, Renee!
Thank you Gloria, you are always such a sweetheart!! 🙂 I am not taking a break from sweets either Gloria, especially since the past two days of school have been cancelled…what else is a girl to do but bake!!! 😉
These bars look heavenly Renee! Just pinned and shared on Facebook!
Thank you SO much Trish. I always appreciate your support!! 🙂
Oh my gosh, my grandma ALWAYS had a roll of butterscotch lifesavers in her purse! Bringing back so many memories!
I definitely agree – we all need a little indulgence : ) These bars sound amazing – I don’t use toffee or butterscotch enough in my kitchen!
That is SO cool that we share memories of our grandmas and butterscotch lifesavers!! I WISH I could find them again!! *sigh…. Thanks for the compliments Ashley! 🙂
These look so good! Butterscotch is one of my favorites too! One of my very favorite things in the world is Butterscotch milkshakes. It’s hard to find them, but it’s so worth it when I do! I used to be able to get them at a little cafe called the Tasty Freeze! I miss that place! Thanks for the great recipe and the memories!
Oh my! A butterscotch milkshake sounds fantastic!! “Tasty Freeze”….was that a chain?? It sounds familiar. Well, since you can’t get them there anymore, you’ll just have to replicate one. Can I come over when you do!! 🙂 (and you are welcome on both counts!!)
I don’t think the Tasty Freeze was a chain. Ours was a little mom and pop shop on main street in a small country town! And yes – you are welcome to come over! We could have Butterscotch milkshakes and these butterscotch and toffee gooey brownie bars. Sugar overload!!!!! Eh, I’m willing to risk it. 😉
Well I sure do wish I had a Tasty Freeze around here. I can go for one of those milkshakes. Until then, I am holding you to your invite!! Sugar overload it is!!! 🙂
I feel like all the focus on eating healthy is only making me crave cookies even more!
Bahaha! I can TOTALLY relate Julianne!! I keep trying to think of healthy recipes and all I come up with are sweets!!! 😉
I love my sweets all year long! These bars look awesome – I’m always in the mood for butterscotch! Pinned!
Thanks for the pin Lindsay!! 🙂
I used to love those butterscotch lifesavers! I had totally forgotten about them. Too bad you can’t find them anymore. But these Butterscotch Bars look way better anyways. Love how gooey they are!
Thanks Christin! Isn’t it great how candy from our childhood can bring back such great memories!!!!
I always loved butterscotch lifesavers, too! I love that you’ve gotten two of my favorites flavors in one gooey bar, and yes, we all do still need our indulgences in this healthy new year!
Thanks Marcie, I just CAN’T give up my indulgences…..or bad things will happen! 😉
Lol…I’m with ya. I’m eating healthier but I still require my sweets. Moderation. 😉
These bars certainly hold up to their name! They look deeeeeelicious. 🙂
Thanks so much Tina! And I agree: moderation!! Although sometimes it’s so HARD!!! 😉