Butter Bites are the ultimate indulgence, combining rich, buttery flavor with a melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s simply irresistible. These bite-sized squares are perfectly balanced, with a delicate crumb and a hint of sweetness that satisfies without overwhelming.
In just one hour, you can create a batch of these golden treats, making them ideal for last-minute gatherings or a cozy afternoon snack. Their soft, tender interior and slightly crisp edges offer a delightful contrast that keeps you reaching for more.
Each square is a little piece of heaven, packed with warm, comforting flavors that evoke nostalgia and joy. Whether paired with a cup of tea or enjoyed on their own, Butter Bites are a crowd-pleaser that’s as easy to make as they are to love. With minimal prep and cook time, you’ll have a tray of these golden delights ready to share—or savor all to yourself.
Ingredients for Butter Bites
- 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 1 cup (200 g) light brown sugar, tightly packed
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- 2 eggs + 1 egg yolk, room temperature preferred
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups (285 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (85 g) white chocolate melting wafers
- ½ cup (85 g) dark chocolate melting wafers
- Colorful nonpareils or sprinkles, for decorating
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Brown the butter: Place butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat to melt. Once melted, increase heat to just above medium. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon until it bubbles, foams, and turns golden brown. Immediately remove from heat and pour into a large heatproof bowl. Let cool for 25 minutes.
- Preheat oven: Set oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 13×9-inch pan with parchment paper.
- Combine wet ingredients: In the bowl with browned butter, add light brown sugar and granulated sugar. Stir well. Add eggs and egg yolk one at a time, mixing after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until fully combined.
- Spread batter: Pour batter into the prepared pan. Smooth the surface with a spatula or knife. For an even smoother finish, lay wax paper over the batter and press gently with your hands.
- Bake: Bake for 18-23 minutes, or until edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few crumbs. Let cool completely.
- Cut into squares: Lift the baked sheet from the pan using parchment paper. Transfer to a cutting board and cut into 1-inch squares (13 rows x 9 rows).
- Melt chocolate: Prepare white and dark chocolate melting wafers according to package instructions in separate shallow bowls.
- Dip and decorate: Dip the tops or bottoms of the butter bites into the melted chocolate. Place on wax paper and immediately sprinkle with nonpareils or sprinkles. Let chocolate harden before serving.
Creative Serving Suggestions
Butter Bites are versatile and perfect for any occasion! Serve them as a sweet treat with coffee or tea, or arrange them on a platter for parties. For a festive touch, pair them with a drizzle of caramel sauce or a dollop of whipped cream. They also make a great addition to dessert charcuterie boards alongside fresh berries and nuts.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store Butter Bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week. To keep them fresh longer, layer them between sheets of wax paper. If you prefer them warm, pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to soften the chocolate and enhance the buttery flavor.
Recipe Variations to Try
Experiment with different flavors by adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter. Swap the chocolate wafers for milk or semi-sweet chocolate for a richer taste. For a nutty twist, mix in ½ cup of chopped pecans or almonds before baking. You can also skip the chocolate dip and dust the bites with powdered sugar for a simpler finish.
Time-Saving Tips for Busy Bakers
To save time, brown the butter a day ahead and store it in the fridge until ready to use. Use pre-measured ingredients to streamline the process, and enlist a helper to dip the bites in chocolate while you prepare the next batch. If you’re short on time, skip the sprinkles—they’re optional but still delicious!
Essential Equipment Guidance
For best results, use a heavy-bottomed saucepan to brown the butter evenly. A silicone spatula is perfect for stirring and spreading the batter smoothly. Invest in a good-quality parchment paper to easily lift the bites from the pan. If you’re dipping in chocolate, a shallow bowl and a fork will make the process quick and mess-free.
Butter Bites
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter cut into pieces
- 1 cup light brown sugar tightly packed
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 eggs + 1 egg yolk room temperature preferred
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup white chocolate melting wafers
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate melting wafers
- Colorful nonpareils or sprinkles for decorating
Instructions
- Brown the butter by placing it in a medium-sized saucepan and melting over medium-low heat.
- Once butter has melted, increase heat to just above medium. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon as it bubbles, pops and foams. Once the bubbling slows and the liquid begins to turn brown (you’ll notice golden flakes of cooked butter), remove from heat immediately and pour into a large, heatproof bowl.
- Allow to cool 25 minutes before proceeding.
- Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line a 13×9-inch pan with parchment paper.
- Combine browned butter and sugars, stir well.
- Add eggs and egg yolk, stirring well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually stir dry ingredients into wet until completely combined.
- Spread batter evenly into prepared pan. Smooth the surface with a spatula or knife so that it doesn’t have any craggy pieces when baked (I like to spread it into the pan, then lay a piece of wax paper over the surface and use my hands to smooth the surface, then discard the wax paper).
- Bake on 350F (175C) for 18-23 minutes — until edges just begin to turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with few crumbs. Allow to cool completely.
- Once cooled, lift from pan (using parchment paper) and transfer to cutting board — cut into 1” squares (I cut 13 rows down the longer end and 9 down the shorter end — super simple!).
- Prepare melting wafers according to package instructions in shallow bowls (keep white and dark chocolate in separate bowls).
- Dip the tops or bottoms (I alternated) of the butter bites in chocolate and place on wax paper. Immediately sprinkle with nonpareils, if desired.
- Allow chocolate to harden before enjoying (just a few minutes!).