Name: Brown Butter Toffee Bars
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter; 2 cups light brown sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup toffee bits

Golden, chewy, and rich with nutty brown butter and crunchy toffee bits, these Brown Butter Toffee Bars are a dessert dream. With a soft cookie-like base and a hint of caramel goodness in every bite, they strike the perfect balance between indulgent and comforting. Whether you’re baking for a cozy night in or sharing with friends, these bars bring serious flavor with minimal fuss.

Toasting the butter brings out its deep, nutty aroma and creates an irresistible base that makes the whole kitchen smell like heaven. Combined with brown sugar and vanilla, the flavor becomes beautifully layered, while the toffee bits add a delightful crunch throughout. One pan, no mixer, all reward.

What Kind of Butter Should I Use?

Use unsalted butter so you can control the salt level, and make sure it browns gently—not burns. You want golden flecks and a rich aroma, not blackened bits. Browning butter takes just a few minutes and transforms your bars from good to gourmet.

Ingredients for the Brown Butter Toffee Bars

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
2 cups light brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup toffee bits (such as Heath)

How To Make the Brown Butter Toffee Bars

Step 1: Brown the Butter

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Continue cooking, stirring constantly, until it turns golden brown and smells nutty. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk the browned butter with the brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs and vanilla until well combined.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Fold in the toffee bits.

Step 4: Bake

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment. Spread the batter evenly in the pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 5: Cool and Slice

Let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares or rectangles.

How to Serve and Store Brown Butter Toffee Bars

Serve these warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate treat, or enjoy them cooled as an easy handheld dessert. They pack beautifully for lunchboxes, potlucks, or gifting.

To store, keep the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze them individually wrapped for up to 2 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce the added salt in the recipe to 1/4 teaspoon to balance the flavor.

Do I have to brown the butter?

While you could use melted butter, browning it adds a richer flavor that really makes these bars special.

Can I add nuts or chocolate chips?

Absolutely! Chopped pecans or dark chocolate chips make excellent additions to this base recipe.

How do I know when the bars are done baking?

The edges should look golden, and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes, just use a larger baking sheet and adjust the baking time slightly, keeping an eye on doneness.

Want More Bar Dessert Ideas?

If you loved these Brown Butter Toffee Bars, check out these other delicious bar recipes:

Cherry Chocolate Cheesecake for a fruity and creamy indulgence.
Irresistible Pecan Pie Bites with a gooey, nutty filling.
Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars for a cinnamon-sugar twist.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Dream Bars for rich, layered decadence.
Easter Oreo Cookie Casserole for a no-fuss, kid-friendly favorite.

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dessert board so you can come back to it any time: Follow Nina Dishes on Pinterest.

Let me know in the comments how your bars turned out! Did you sneak in chocolate chips or go classic with just toffee? I love seeing your delicious twists and answering your baking questions too!

Brown Butter Toffee Bars

Author: Nina Klatten
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 24 bars
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Brown Butter Toffee Bars are golden, chewy dessert bars packed with rich nutty flavor and sweet toffee crunch. Simple to make in one bowl with no mixer needed, they’re a go-to for cozy treats or sharing with a crowd.

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter

2 cups light brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup toffee bits

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Continue cooking, stirring constantly, until it turns golden brown and smells nutty. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

2. In a large bowl, whisk the browned butter with the brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs and vanilla until well combined.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Fold in the toffee bits.

4. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment. Spread the batter evenly in the pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

5. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares or rectangles.