Gooey Butterscotch Nut Bars Recipe: The Ultimate Gooey Dessert

Introduction: Why You’ll Love Gooey Butterscotch Nut Bars

If you’re looking for a dessert that’s sweet, gooey, nutty, and downright irresistible, you can’t go wrong with Gooey Butterscotch Nut Bars. They combine a soft sugar cookie crust, a rich caramel layer, crunchy roasted nuts, and a generous sprinkle of butterscotch chips.

These dessert bars are easy to make, perfect for holidays, potlucks, or casual family treats. In this post, we’ll cover everything you need: the recipe, pro baking tips, tasty variations, storage, nutrition, and serving ideas.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything you’ll need to make these gooey bars:

• 1 package sugar cookie mix, 17.5 oz – forms the chewy base.

• 1 package instant butterscotch pudding mix, 3.4 oz – enhances flavor and texture.

• ½ cup butter, softened – adds richness.

• 1 egg – helps bind the dough.

• 1 package caramels, 14 oz (unwrapped) – melts into a gooey layer.

• ½ cup evaporated milk – smooths the caramel.

• 1 cup roasted macadamia nuts – adds buttery crunch.

• 1 cup roasted cashews – nutty balance.

• 1 tsp vanilla extract – flavor depth.

• 1 cup butterscotch chips – gooey topping.

Pro Tip: Always choose good-quality caramels. Cheap ones may harden or taste overly sugary.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these easy steps to make your gooey dessert bars:

Step 1: Bake the Crust

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, mix sugar cookie mix, pudding mix, butter, and egg until a dough forms. Press into an ungreased 9×13-inch pan. Bake 20–25 minutes, until set.

Step 2: Make the Caramel Layer

In a saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the caramels with evaporated milk, stirring constantly until smooth.

Step 3: Add Flavor & Texture

Remove caramel mixture from heat. Stir in roasted nuts and vanilla extract.

Step 4: Assemble the Bars

Pour caramel mixture evenly over the baked crust. Sprinkle with butterscotch chips.

Step 5: Cool & Cut

Let the bars cool completely (this is key for clean cuts). Slice into squares or rectangles.

Baking Tips for Gooey Success

• Soften butter → Room temperature only, not melted.

• Don’t overbake the crust → It should be just set, not browned.

• Cool fully before slicing → Prevents caramel from oozing.

• Sharp knife trick → Warm in hot water, dry, then slice for clean edges.

Flavor & Texture Breakdown

Here’s what makes Gooey Butterscotch Nut Bars stand out:

• Chewy cookie crust → soft but sturdy.

• Silky caramel → gooey, rich, and melts in your mouth.

• Crunchy roasted nuts → nutty contrast.

• Butterscotch chips → extra sweetness and goo factor.

The result? A sweet, nutty, buttery dessert bar that feels indulgent and satisfying.

Recipe Variations

Want to customize? Try these twists:

• Nut swap → Pecans, walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts.

• Chip swap → Chocolate chips (dark, milk, or white).

• Sweet & salty → Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top.

• Vegan → Use dairy-free butter, vegan pudding, and plant-based caramels.

• Gluten-free → Use a gluten-free cookie mix.

Serving Ideas

These bars shine in many settings:

• Holiday dessert trays → Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter.

• Bake sales & potlucks → crowd-pleasing and transport-friendly.

• Coffee break treat → pairs well with coffee or tea.

• Ice cream topping → warm slightly and serve over vanilla ice cream.

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

• Room temperature → Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

• Fridge → Keeps longer, but caramel firms up.

• Freezer → Freeze individually wrapped bars up to 2 months.

Nutrition & Portion Guide

These bars are indulgent and should be enjoyed in moderation.

Estimated per bar (cut into 24):

• Calories → ~150 kcal

• Fat → ~8 g

• Carbs → ~18 g

• Protein → ~2 g

The nuts provide healthy fats and some protein, balancing out the sweetness.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I make Gooey Butterscotch Nut Bars ahead of time?
Yes! They keep well at room temperature for 3–5 days or can be frozen.

Q: Can I use different nuts?
Absolutely. Pecans, almonds, or hazelnuts work beautifully.

Q: Do I need to grease the pan?
No. The cookie base contains enough butter to release easily.

Q: Can I replace butterscotch chips with chocolate?
Yes! Dark chocolate makes a great contrast to the sweet caramel.

Printable Recipe Card

Gooey Butterscotch Nut Bars

Ingredients

• 1 sugar cookie mix, 17.5 oz

• 1 butterscotch pudding mix, 3.4 oz

• ½ cup butter, softened

• 1 egg

• 14 oz caramels, unwrapped

• ½ cup evaporated milk

• 1 cup roasted macadamia nuts

• 1 cup roasted cashews

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 cup butterscotch chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix cookie mix, pudding, butter, and egg. Press into 9×13 pan. Bake 20–25 min.

2. Melt caramels with milk over medium-low heat. Stir until smooth.

3. Stir in nuts and vanilla.

4. Pour over crust, sprinkle with butterscotch chips.

5. Cool completely. Cut into bars.

Final Thoughts

These Gooey Butterscotch Nut Bars are the perfect combination of chewy, crunchy, sweet, and gooey. Whether you serve them at a holiday gathering, bake sale, or family night, they’ll disappear fast.

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