Oatmeal Scotchies Bar Recipe (Butterscotch Bars)

Butterscotch fans will go crazy for this Oatmeal Scotchies Bar recipe! Not only are they loaded with chewy oats and butterscotch chips, a simple glaze takes them to the next level.

My husband loves oatmeal cookies of all kinds, so I’m always experimenting with new variations. He took these bar cookies to work and they were a huge hit, even with people who had never tried butterscotch before!

Why you’ll love this Oatmeal Scotchies Bar Recipe:

• Using all brown sugar instead of white sugar adds rich flavor and makes the bars extra chewy.
• With melted butterscotch, morsels, and a butterscotch glaze, they are bursting with butterscotch flavor without being too sweet.
• Maple flavoring is a secret ingredient that makes them out of this world delicious.
• They have all the flavors of my oatmeal scotchies recipe, but in easy bar form!

How to make oatmeal butterscotch bars:

1. PREP – Line a 13×9 inch pan with foil, spray with cooking spray. Preheat your oven to 350°.
2. DRY INGREDIENTS – Combine flour, oats, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
3. WET INGREDIENTS – Brown the butter in a saucepan, then pour into a large mixing bowl with 1/2 cup of butterscotch chips. Whisk in the brown sugar, then the egg and flavorings.
   Stir in the flour mixture and the remaining 1/2 cup of chips.
4. BAKE – Press the cookie dough into an even layer in the prepared pan. Bake at 350 degrees for about 18 minutes or until set in the middle.
5. COOL – Chill the bars for 20 minutes, or let them cool at room temperature for 40 minutes.
6. GLAZE – Combine the brown sugar, water, and salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then pour into a glass bowl. Add the 1/4 cup of butterscotch chips and whisk until smooth.
   Drizzle over the top of the baked bars while they are still warm.

You can cover the pan with plastic wrap, or transfer to an airtight container. They will last for 4-5 days at room temperature.

PRO TIPS:

• Browning the butter does take a little more time, but it adds such a rich, nutty flavor to the bars. If you don’t want to spend the time, you can just melt butter in the microwave.
• A bit of maple flavoring adds delicious flavor, so try not to leave it out.
• If you use unsalted butter, add an additional 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
• The bars will cool a little faster if you place the pan on a wire rack.
• Old fashioned oats give the bars the best flavor and chewy texture, but quick oats can be used in a pinch.

Oatmeal Scotchies Bar Recipe Variations:

• You can replace a half cup of the flour with whole wheat flour for extra chewy oatmeal bars. I don’t recommend more than that or they tend to be dry.
• If you’re in a hurry and don’t want to make the glaze, just add an additional 1/2 cup of butterscotch chips to the dough.
• For a different flavor profile, add a teaspoon of orange zest or a teaspoon of cinnamon.
• Feel free to add some chopped toasted nuts for a tasty crunch. We like cashews with butterscotch, but any nut will work.

More favorite cookie bars and brownies:

• Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars
• White Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Blondies
• Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookie Bars
• Peanut Butter Chips Bars
• Coconut Bars Recipe
• Mississippi Mud Brownies
• Applebee’s Blondie Recipe

Recipe inspired by America’s Test Kitchen.

These oatmeal butterscotch bars are the perfect sweet treats any time of year. So grab a bag of butterscotch chips and get baking!