Chewy Butterscotch Cookies

Prepare to fall in love with these incredible Old-Fashioned Butterscotch Cookies. Each bite offers a delightful combination of soft, chewy texture and rich, caramel-like butterscotch flavor, making them truly the best cookies you’ll ever bake. This recipe is designed to be incredibly simple and easy, ensuring baking success for everyone from novice bakers to seasoned pros. If you’re searching for a classic cookie that evokes a sense of nostalgia with every bite, your quest ends here.

We’ve perfected the ultimate butterscotch cookie recipe, making it incredibly straightforward to create these heavenly delights right in your own kitchen. The entire process, from mixing to baking, can be completed in approximately 30 minutes, allowing you to enjoy warm, fresh-baked cookies in no time. Every single cookie is generously packed with an abundance of creamy butterscotch chips, delivering an intense, sweet flavor that is truly a taste of heaven in cookie form. These delightful treats are an absolute crowd-pleaser and are guaranteed to disappear quickly at any gathering.

My adoration for butterscotch runs deep, and these easy cookie recipes truly showcase its incredible versatility. While chocolate chip cookies often steal the spotlight, I confess a secret preference for these butterscotch marvels. The unique, buttery sweetness of butterscotch chips creates a distinct and utterly satisfying experience that stands apart. If you’re as smitten with butterscotch as I am, you’ll also adore our Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies, which offer a fantastic flavor fusion, and our decadent Butterscotch Cupcakes for an even richer dessert experience.

Why You’ll Adore This Butterscotch Cookie Recipe

Baking homemade cookies is a truly rewarding experience, and this butterscotch cookie recipe consistently delivers on all fronts. We particularly love how these cookies bake up with delightfully crispy outside edges and a wonderfully soft, chewy center – the hallmark of a perfect cookie. If you’re a passionate baker, chances are your pantry is already stocked with most of the ingredients needed for these simple cookies. This makes it an ideal choice for a last-minute dessert or a spontaneous baking session.

Beyond their irresistible taste and texture, these butterscotch cookies are incredibly easy to prepare. The ingredients come together effortlessly with minimal prep work, making them a stress-free addition to any baking repertoire. Their classic appeal and satisfying flavor profile make them perfect for virtually any occasion. Whether you’re baking for a casual family snack, a festive holiday party, a school bake sale, or simply craving a sweet treat, these buttery, sweet, and perfectly textured cookies are always a hit. They are an excellent way to bring warmth and joy to any gathering.

Essential Ingredients for Delicious Butterscotch Cookies

Creating these sensational butterscotch cookies requires a handful of common pantry staples. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect flavor and texture. Gathering them before you start will ensure a smooth and enjoyable baking process.

• Butter: Softened to room temperature for smooth creaming and rich flavor.
• Granulated White Sugar: Provides sweetness and contributes to the cookie’s crisp edges.
• Brown Sugar: Essential for that signature chewy texture and deep, molasses-like flavor that complements butterscotch so well.
• Vanilla Extract: A crucial flavor enhancer that brings warmth and depth to the butterscotch notes.
• Large Eggs: Act as a binder, adding moisture and structure to the cookie dough.
• All-Purpose Flour: The foundational dry ingredient, providing the main structure for your cookies.
• Baking Soda: Our leavening agent, ensuring your cookies rise beautifully and achieve that soft, airy interior.
• Sea Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors in the cookie, a vital addition.
• Butterscotch Chips: The star of the show! These melty, sweet chips infuse every bite with classic butterscotch goodness.

You’ll find the precise measurements for each of these ingredients in the detailed recipe card at the bottom of this post, ready for you to bake the perfect batch of chewy butterscotch cookies.

Creative Variation Ideas to Customize Your Butterscotch Cookies

While these classic butterscotch cookies are perfect as-is, they also serve as an excellent canvas for culinary creativity. Don’t hesitate to experiment with these variations to tailor the recipe to your personal taste or to simply add a delightful twist to a beloved classic. These additions can transform your simple butterscotch cookies into an even more exciting treat.

• Chocolate Chips: For a delightful contrast of flavors, consider adding 1/2 to 1 cup of your favorite chocolate chips. Milk chocolate chips will add a creamy sweetness, while semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips will introduce a richer, more intense flavor. White chocolate chips would also pair beautifully with butterscotch for a decadent treat.
• Nuts: Incorporating nuts adds a wonderful crunch and a nutty depth to your cookies. Walnuts and pecans are classic choices, offering a buttery, slightly bitter counterpoint to the sweet butterscotch. Sliced almonds can also provide a delicate crunch and elegant touch. Aim for about 1/2 to 1 cup of finely chopped nuts.
• Spices: Warm spices can elevate the butterscotch flavor profile, adding an extra layer of comfort. A teaspoon of ground cinnamon is a fantastic addition, enhancing the caramel notes. For a bolder flavor, a pinch of nutmeg or allspice could also work wonderfully, especially during the fall and winter months.
• Toffee Bits: For an extra layer of chewiness and intense caramel flavor, fold in 1/2 cup of toffee bits along with the butterscotch chips. This creates a wonderfully complex texture and an even richer taste experience.
• Flaky Sea Salt: A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top of the cookie dough before baking can create an exquisite sweet and salty combination that truly makes the butterscotch flavor pop. This simple garnish adds both visual appeal and a gourmet touch.
• Different Extracts: While vanilla is traditional, consider swapping out a portion of the vanilla extract for a different flavor. A hint of almond extract or even a touch of rum extract could add an unexpected and delicious complexity to your butterscotch cookies.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Baking Perfect Butterscotch Cookies

Follow these simple steps to bake a batch of homemade butterscotch cookies that are perfectly soft, chewy, and bursting with flavor. The process is straightforward, ensuring delicious results every time.

• Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets. Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats; this prevents sticking and ensures even baking and easy cleanup.
• Step 2: Cream Wet Ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, granulated white sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Using a hand-held mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat these ingredients together on medium speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and thoroughly combined. This creaming process incorporates air, which contributes to the cookies’ light texture.

Step 3: Incorporate Eggs and Dry Ingredients. Add the eggs one at a time to the creamed mixture, beating well after each addition to ensure they are fully incorporated. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and sea salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing by hand with a spatula or on low speed with your mixer until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can lead to tough cookies.

Step 4: Fold in Butterscotch Chips. Once the dough is just combined, gently fold in the butterscotch chips by hand. This ensures the chips are evenly distributed without overworking the dough. Your dough is now ready for baking!

Step 5: Portion and Space Dough. Using a cookie scoop (approximately 1 tablespoon in size), drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Ensure there is approximately 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for even spreading during baking. This prevents them from merging into one giant cookie.

Step 6: Bake Until Golden. Bake the cookies in your preheated oven for 8-10 minutes. Keep a close eye on them; they are done when the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers are still soft and slightly puffed. Do not overbake, as this can lead to dry cookies.

• Step 7: Cool and Enjoy. Remove the baking sheets from the oven. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes. This crucial step allows them to set up and prevents them from breaking when transferred. After 5 minutes, carefully transfer the warm butterscotch cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. These delightful cookies are best served warm with a tall, cold glass of milk, a perfect pairing!

Expert Baking Tips for Flawless Butterscotch Cookies

Achieving bakery-quality butterscotch cookies is easier than you think with these expert tips. Incorporating these simple techniques will help ensure your cookies turn out perfectly every single time, yielding soft, chewy, and incredibly flavorful treats.

• Utilize a Mixer for Best Results: For perfectly creamed butter and sugars, a stand mixer or a hand-held mixer is highly recommended. Either of these tools will efficiently blend your wet ingredients, incorporating air and creating the ideal base for your chewy butterscotch cookies. While mixing by hand is possible, it requires more effort to achieve the desired fluffy texture.
• Allow Cookies to Cool on Baking Sheet: Patience is key here! After removing the cookies from the oven, let them rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. This allows the cookies to firm up and set, preventing them from crumbling or breaking apart as you move them. This also helps maintain their soft, chewy texture.
• Invest in a Cookie Scoop: A cookie scoop is a game-changer for uniform cookies. It not only saves a significant amount of time during portioning but also ensures that each cookie is roughly the same size. This consistency is vital for even baking, meaning all your cookies will be perfectly cooked at the same time.
• Avoid Overmixing the Dough: When adding the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, salt) to the wet mixture, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can result in tough, dense, or flat cookies. For delicate incorporation, I often switch to mixing by hand with a spatula once the dry ingredients are mostly added.
• Use Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats: For easier cleanup and to prevent sticking, always line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Both options also help regulate the bottom heat, preventing your cookies from getting too brown or burnt on the underside, ensuring a perfectly even bake.
• Ensure Room Temperature Ingredients: Softened butter and room temperature eggs are crucial for a smooth, emulsified cookie dough. Cold butter won’t cream properly, leading to a lumpy dough. If your butter is too soft (almost melted), your dough might be too greasy and spread excessively during baking. If this happens, I recommend chilling the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before baking to help it firm up.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Baking Sheet: While it might be tempting to fit as many cookies as possible on one tray, always leave adequate space (about 2 inches) between each dough ball. This allows for proper air circulation and prevents the cookies from spreading into each other, ensuring they bake evenly and maintain their individual shapes.

How to Store Your Freshly Baked Butterscotch Cookies

To keep your delicious butterscotch cookies fresh and soft for as long as possible, proper storage is essential. Following these guidelines will ensure you can enjoy their wonderful flavor and texture for days after baking.

First and foremost, ensure that your cookies have cooled completely to room temperature before storing them. Storing warm cookies in an airtight container will create condensation, which can make them soggy and spoil faster. Once fully cooled, place the cookies in an airtight container. They will remain wonderfully fresh and soft at room temperature for up to 5-7 days. To maintain their exceptional softness, a classic trick is to place a piece of fresh white bread in the container with the cookies. The cookies will absorb moisture from the bread, keeping them delightfully tender for longer. Just be sure to replace the bread every couple of days to keep it fresh.

Tips for Freezing Butterscotch Cookies & Dough for Future Enjoyment

Freezing is a fantastic way to extend the life of your butterscotch cookies or cookie dough, allowing you to enjoy a freshly baked treat whenever the craving strikes without the full effort of baking from scratch. You have a couple of excellent options for freezing, both equally convenient.

Freezing Cookie Dough: This method is perfect for having freshly baked cookies on demand. First, roll the prepared cookie dough into individual balls, roughly the size you’d bake them. Place these dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring they don’t touch each other. Pop the baking sheet into the freezer for about an hour, or until the dough balls are firm. Once firm, transfer the frozen cookie dough balls to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, simply place the frozen dough balls on a baking sheet and add an extra 2-4 minutes to the baking time, or until golden brown. You can find more comprehensive tips on how to freeze cookie dough effectively.

Freezing Baked Cookies: If you’ve baked a large batch and want to save some for later, you can also freeze the finished cookies. Allow the cookies to cool completely before freezing. Once cool, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid (this prevents them from sticking together). Once solid, transfer the cookies to a freezer-safe container or bag, placing a piece of parchment paper between each layer to protect their appearance and prevent sticking. Properly stored, baked butterscotch cookies will keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months. To enjoy, simply thaw them at room temperature for about 30 minutes, or warm them slightly in the microwave for a just-baked taste.

For more detailed guidance on preserving your baked goods, check out our guide on how to freeze cookies for baking, which covers various types of cookies and best practices.

Explore More Delicious Cookie Recipes

If you’ve enjoyed baking these irresistible butterscotch cookies, you’ll love exploring our other fantastic cookie creations. We have a wide array of recipes to satisfy every cookie craving, from classic favorites to unique flavor combinations. Expand your baking horizons with these delightful options:

• Chewy M&M Cookies: A colorful and fun cookie packed with candy-coated chocolate.
• Invigorating Coffee Cookies: A sophisticated treat with a subtle coffee kick, perfect for pairing with your morning brew.
• Classic Soft Sugar Cookie Recipe: The quintessential sugar cookie, perfect for decorating and celebrating.
• Decadent Red Velvet Cookies: Rich and tender red velvet cookies, often paired with cream cheese frosting.
• Sweet Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies: A delightful combination of chewy peanut butter cookie and a chocolate kiss.
• Amazing Chocolate Brownie Cookies: All the fudgy goodness of a brownie in a convenient cookie form.
• Simple Butter Cookies Recipe: Delicate and crisp, these classic butter cookies are melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

Butterscotch Cookies

You have to try this old-fashioned Butterscotch cookies recipe. Each bite is soft and chewy for the best cookie. The entire recipe is simple and easy to follow.

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 10 mins

Cool Time: 5 mins

Total Time: 25 mins

Servings: 36

Cuisine: American

Course: Dessert

Calories: 137 kcal

Author: Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

• 1 cup Butter, softened
• 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
• 1/2 cup Brown Sugar, packed
• 1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract
• 2 Large Eggs
• 2 1/4 cups All-Purpose Flour
• 1 tsp Baking Soda
• 1/2 tsp Sea Salt
• 2 cups Butterscotch Chips

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 C). Prepare baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper or silicone mats.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract using a hand-held mixer or stand mixer until light and fluffy.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until thoroughly combined.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing by hand until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
5. Gently fold in the butterscotch chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
6. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, ensuring they are approximately 2 inches apart.
7. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers are still soft.
8. Remove cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe Video

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

These are estimated nutritional values per cookie (based on 36 servings).

• Calories: 137 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Protein: 1g
• Fat: 6g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Cholesterol: 24mg
• Sodium: 154mg
• Potassium: 17mg
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 13g
• Vitamin A: 180IU
• Calcium: 7mg
• Iron: 1mg

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