It’s true, blondes have more fun! These butterscotch brownies with chocolate chips are a family favourite for a reason. They’re an easy blondie recipe with butterscotch flavor baked right in!
*Pleae note* this post was originally published in 2019. The text has since been updated but the recipe remains the same.
Butterscotch brownies! I feel a sense of victory in posting this recipe, because it’s one that’s been on my mind since starting the blog! This recipe is actually an old family recipe. My Mom used to make these all of the time when we grew up, and I just haven’t gotten around to sharing them with you all! These blondies also make me think of my friend Stacy (hi Stacy)! She kind of grew up with these too, since I grew up with her and she became well acquainted with these bars. I think they’re still one of her favourites!
So, why am I not calling these blondies?

I’m not entirely sure. I mean, technically they ARE a blondie, since they’re a brownie that isn’t brown…but we always called these butterscotch brownies and I don’t dare change the name now!
What Is the Difference Between a Brownie and a Blondie?
These two delicious bars are basically the same, except that a blondie doesn’t contain that deep, dark cocoa powder that makes a BROWNie. Plus, a blondie typically contains brown sugar to give it a caramel-like flavor, which a traditional brownie is dark and usually made with white sugar.
So, blondie recipes often have pieces of butterscotch chips, but what makes this recipe unique is that the butterscotch chips are melted right INTO the bar! It adds so much butterscotch flavor, plus the melted chocolate gives these bars a ridiculously delicious, chewy texture. All the heart eyes!
You’ll have to try them yourself to determine if you’re team brownie or team blondie!
What Are Butterscotch Chips Made Of?
Strictly speaking of the store-bought ones (you can totally make your own), butterscotch chocolate chips are mostly a mix of butter, brown sugar and vanilla. The flavour of butterscotch is different than the flavour of caramel, due to the brown sugar in butterscotch, versus the white sugar used in caramel. I have always loved butterscotch! It is still my favourite sundae flavour!
The butterscotch chips give these bars their delightfully chewy texture and rich taste. No substitutes here! I use Hershey’s brand but you can use whichever butterscotch morsels you have on hand.

Ingredients for Butterscotch Brownies
The butterscotch chips might require a special trip to the grocery store, but all of the other ingredients required for these brownies are probably already in your house!
You’ll need:
- all-purpose flour
- baking powder
- salt
- unsalted butter, room temperature
- brown sugar
- large eggs
- pure vanilla extract
- butterscotch chips
- semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided
How Do You Make Butterscotch Brownies?
The other great thing about these bars? The little to no effort and time they take! Along with these instructions, there’s a video at the top of this post to show you just how easy to make they really are.
1. Preheat the oven to 350 F and line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang to easily lift the bars out of the dish.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set it aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or with an electric handheld mixer, mix together the butter and brown sugar until combined, about 1 minute. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing for 30 seconds in between. Add the vanilla extract and mix until smooth. Add in the dry ingredients and slowly mix until just combined.
3. Next, in a small heat-proof bowl, melt the butterscotch chips in the microwave at 30 second intervals, stirring in between. Once they’re melted, add the melted chips to the other ingredients, mixing until smooth. With a large wooden spoon, stir in half of the semi-sweet chocolate chips. Empty the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing evenly. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips on top. Bake the bars for 22-25 minutes or until slightly browned on the outside. Allow to cool for 20 minutes before removing from the pan and cutting into 16 bars.



Other Brownies and Bars on the Blog
I’ve got a ton of other bars and brownies on the site. Take a peek!
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Butterscotch Brownies
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
Description
It’s true, blondes have more fun! These butterscotch brownies with chocolate chips are a family favourite for a reason. They’re an easy blondie recipe with butterscotch flavor baked right in!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F and line an 8 x 8 baking dish with parchment paper or aluminum foil, leaving some overhang for easy lifting.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or with an electric handheld mixer, mix together the butter and brown sugar until combined, about 1 minute. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing for 30 seconds in between. Add the vanilla extract and mix until smooth. Add in the dry ingredients and slowly mix until just combined.
- In a small heat-proof bowl, melt the butterscotch chips in the microwave at 30 second intervals, stirring in between. Be careful not to overheat! Once melted, add the melted chips to the other ingredients, mixing until smooth. With a large wooden spoon, stir in half of the semi-sweet chocolate chips. Empty the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing evenly. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips on top. Bake the bars for 22-25 minutes or until slightly browned on the outside. Allow to cool for 20 minutes before removing from the pan and cutting into 16 bars.
Butterscotch brownies can be kept at room temperature for 3-4 days in an airtight container, or in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: brownies
- Method: oven bake
- Cuisine: american
Keywords: easy butterscotch brownies // easy blondie recipe

In all the baking that I do, I’ve never made a blondie! Or a butterscotch brownie! I’ll have to add these to the holiday baking list. Butterscotch treats go over well with my family! BTW, love that it’s a family recipe. Those are the best! Pinning!
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I know! I don’t ever think to bake a blondie either, but publishing these butterscotch brownies have been on my to-do list forever!
These look awesome! I grew up calling them butterscotch brownies too, so I’m glad you stuck with the name :). Have a great weekend, Katherine!
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Yay! I wonder if our Moms used the same recipe? 😉 Have a good weekend too!
This is my kind of brownie, I could eat it every week. It looks gorgeous
I could definitely eat them weekly. Thanks Mary!
Whatever you call them, I just say they’re simply delicious! And, if you need a taste tester, just send along some my way, ok 😉 They look deeeelish, my friend! Happy weekend ahead! XOXO
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You got it, Dawn!! I will pop some in the mail for you 😉 Have a great weekend too!
Thank you very much for explaining the difference between blondies and brownies; I was really confused seeing all the versions and combinations so now, it makes sense. Thank you so much and enjoy your weekend 🙂
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Oh thank you!! I was a bit confused by it all too. I’m glad things are cleared up! Cheers!
Oh yum, Katherine! These butterscotch brownies are irresistible! I’ve always loved the butterscotch chips. So cool how they’re melted and mixed into the batter!
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I love butterscotch chips too. They add sooooo much deliciousness to the batter! Thanks Kelly!!
Oh I do like a slice (or five) of good blondie bars! But you know what? I’ve successfully baked some rather complicated desserts, but all my previous attempts to make blondies weren’t too satisfying. I guess butterscotch chips are the secret ingredient here, and with your recipe I’ll succeed 🙂 Needless to say, the bars look amazing!
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Aah they’re the one that got away, Ben!? Haha! I hope you give them a second chance with my recipe! The melted chips definitely help. Have a great weekend!
Whatever you want to call them – love the recipe. How could you go wrong with chocolate bits baked inside a tasty butterscotch batter? Pinned.
You definitely can’t go wrong with it, Milena!! Thank you my friend!
This recipe takes me right back to childhood Katherine! We called them butterscotch brownies too!! I haven’t made anything like this in forever and I’m thinking I need to change that!
I feel like a few people have said that to me recently, so I wonder why butterscotch brownies don’t seem to be a common term anymore!? I definitely think you need to rekindle your love for them! 😉
Oh wow!! Melting the butterscotch chips to add to the batter sounds so amazing!! I bet the butterscotch flavor is off the charts! So yum!
These butterscotch brownies look incredible, Katherine!! I could not be left a lone with that batch without doing some serious damage! 🙂
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Haha, Catherine! So true. My son just asked me today to make more of them and I said we have to wait at least a week, baha!
I think I have been missing out because I have never had these brownies before. They look and sound incredible! Melting the butterscotch is definitely a good way to amp up the flavor!
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You have definitely been missing out!! You really need to give them a try my friend! Melting the butterscotch adds SO much flavor and chewiness!
finally, someone has butterscotch brownies right! The melted butterscotch bits make all the difference.
Just one question – can I double the recipe to make them a bit thicker?
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It’s an old family recipe so I’m happy to hear you’re a fan! Yes you can definitely double the recipe, just be sure to double every ingredient!