This recipe for Oatmeal Scotchie Bars is a total throwback! It feels like just a couple years ago, but it was probably more like twenty-five, since I tasted an oatmeal cookie made with butterscotch chips for the first time and I was like, “YUM, that was good!” I had no idea that Oatmeal Scotchie Bars had been a thing long before that, starting around 1971 with a recipe on the back of the Toll House Butterscotch Chip package.

A few weeks ago I was searching for a recipe my mom had told me about that she got from the back of a Toll House Chocolate Chip bag. I did a google search and hit “Images” to see if I could find the same one. I did find it! YAY!!! But, I also found this old school Oatmeal Scotchie Bars recipe.

I just so happened to have a bag of Butterscotch Chips in my cupboard so I really had no choice but to make them. One thing I found really interesting about the recipe that I never would have guessed is that it called for orange extract. The typical butterscotch oatmeal recipes I had used in the past to make cookies called for a little cinnamon but no orange flavoring. I debated whether or not I should use orange like it called for or go for cinnamon like I was used to use. I went with orange, and I’m telling you it really adds something to the butterscotch flavor.

Also, can we talk about how darn easy it is to make a pan of bar cookies in one fail swoop! Bar cookies are my jam right now.

More awesome bar cookies you’ll love!

How TO Make Oatmeal SCotchie Bars

1-Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a [url:1]large cookie sheet[/url] with cooking spray and set aside.
2-In your stand mixer or with a hand mixer, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar for one minute. Add the eggs, water, and orange extract. Mix until well combined.
3-Add the flour, oatmeal, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix again until well combined making sure to check the bottom of the mixer or bowl that it is mixed throughout.
4-Add the butterscotch chips and mix until just combined.
5-Scoop the cookie bar dough out onto the [url:2]cooking sheet[/url] that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Use the back of a spoon or a spatula to evenly spread it over the cookie sheet.
6-Bake at 375 for 20-22 minutes. Allow to cool before cutting into squares.

Frequently asked questions about Oatmeal Scotchie Bars:

What is a Scotchie Bar?

Nestle came out with Butterscotch flavored morsels that were the same shape and size as chocolate chips. The package had recipes on the back to use the morsels in. Scotchie Pan Bars were a popular recipe from that time. In the years following Oatmeal Scotchie Cookies also got very popular.

If I don’t have butterscotch chips can I use a different type?

You can use whatever type of chips you want but the flavor will definitely be completely different. The orange extract really (Surprisingly) compliments the butterscotch flavor of the morsel chips. If you choose to use a different flavor of chips, I suggest you switch the extract flavor to vanilla.

If I don’t have orange extract can I use orange zest? If so how much?

Yes, I have done this, and it works perfectly. You only need a teaspoon of fresh orange or even clementine zest.

Which type of oatmeal should I use? Quick or Old-Fashioned?

The recipe calls for quick oats. If you have them they are best. If you don’t it won’t make a huge difference to use old-fashioned oats. It will just change the appearance of the bars and the texture will also be slightly different, very slightly.

Oatmeal Scotchie Bars

Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

20 mins

Total time

30 mins

A throwback treat that will have you trying to remember what decade your in. Is surprising what the little bit of orange flavor does for the taste of the whole cookie bar. YUM!

Author: Slightly Adapted from the original Nestle Toll House recipe that was on the back of the package in the 1970's and 80's

Recipe type: Cookie Bar

Serves: 30

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1½ cups brown sugar, slightly packed
2 eggs + 1 egg yolk (It won't be the end of the world if you don't add the egg yolk but it does make the bars a little more chewy.)
1 tbsp water
1 tsp orange extract or 1 tsp fresh orange zest (If you don't like orange, you can add ½ tsp of ground cinnamon.)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1½ cups quick oats
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 12 ounce package of Nestle Butterscotch chips

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a large cookie sheet with cooking spray and set aside.
In your stand mixer or with a hand mixer, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar for one minute. Add the eggs, water and orange extract. Mix until well combined.
Add the flour, oatmeal, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Mix again until well combined making sure to check the bottom of the mixer or bowl that it is mixed throughout.
Add the butterscotch chips and mix until just combined.
Scoop the cookie bar dough out onto the cooking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Use the back of a spoon or a spatula to evenly spread it over the cookie sheet.
Bake at 375 for 20-22 minutes. Allow to cool before cutting into squares.
Enjoy!