RecipeShare Test Kitchen

Chewy butterscotch bars with roasted cashews and a deep brown sugar flavor that suits snack trays, dessert platters, or afternoon coffee.
Butterscotch bars sit somewhere between a blondie and a snack cake, with the brown sugar doing most of the flavor work. They are rich without being fussy, and the cashews add enough texture to keep each slice from feeling too soft.
This is the kind of bake that works well when you want something easy to cut, stack, and bring to a gathering. It keeps its shape better than many frosted desserts, which makes it useful for sharing and gifting.
The biggest difference between chewy bars and dry ones usually comes down to mixing and bake time. Once the batter is combined, it is better to stop early than work too much air into it.
Brown sugar and glucose give the bars their dense, soft bite, while the bread flour helps them hold together. Pulling the pan when the center is just set keeps that texture from tipping into cake.
Letting the bars cool before slicing also matters. They firm up as they rest, which makes cleaner pieces and a better crumb.
Serve the bars plain, with coffee, or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you want a richer dessert plate. A little flaky salt on top also works if you want more contrast.
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days. They can also be wrapped individually for packed snacks or dessert trays.
If you want more contrast, a pinch of flaky salt or a scoop of plain vanilla ice cream is usually enough. The bars are already rich, so small finishing touches work better than piling on extra toppings.
Chewy butterscotch bars with roasted cashews and a deep brown sugar flavor that suits snack trays, dessert platters, or afternoon coffee.

We use affiliate links, which may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (about 175°C), and prepare two 8 x 8 square pans. Line them with non-stick parchment paper.
Melt the butter in a casserole over low heat. Add brown sugar.
Remove from heat when the butter and sugar meld together.
Stir in the liquid glucose.
Whisk together the bread flour, baking powder, and baking soda in a separate bowl.
Incorporate the 2 eggs into the butter-sugar mix.
Slowly fold in the flour mix until just combined.
Transfer the dough to your pre-prepared pans, ensuring even distribution.
Sprinkle generously with the cashew nuts, pressing them gently into the dough.
Bake for 25-28 minutes, until the bars get a golden-brown hue.
7/12/2025
Tried with walnuts instead of cashews—worked beautifully. Thanks for the tip about glucose!
4/10/2025
Perfect balance of chewy and nutty. Definitely making this again for Christmas trays.
3/8/2025
My husband doesn’t like super sweet desserts, but even he kept reaching for seconds!
2/7/2025
Great recipe, but my bars came out a bit too soft in the center. Maybe I underbaked slightly.
9/6/2024
I served these at a potluck and everyone asked for the recipe. So rich and satisfying!
3/5/2024
The liquid glucose gives it that perfect chewy texture! Thanks for the detailed instructions—nailed it on my first try.
2/3/2024
I loved the texture but found it a bit too sweet for my taste. Might reduce the sugar next time.
8/2/2023
I swapped cashews for pecans and it turned out amazing. Sweet, buttery, and perfectly chewy.
7/1/2023
Made this with my kids over the weekend—super easy and fun! The cashew topping is a must.
6/29/2023
Delicious! These are a family favorite now.
Create and edit your own recipes, import from most websites, plan your week, and build smart grocery lists.
Import recipes from most websites
Create and edit your own recipes
Plan your week with the Meal Planner
Mark favourites for quick access
Build grocery lists from your meal plan
Tick off pantry items you already have
Serving Size: 1 bar
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Add your personal creations and build your own recipe collection.