This Butterscotch Cookies Recipe makes soft, chewy cookies packed with rich caramel-like flavor. Easy to make and perfect for any occasion, these cookies are a must-try for cookie lovers.
We have the best butterscotch cookies recipe and they are easy to make. The entire recipe can be made in 30 minutes, and everyone loves them too. Every single bite is packed with lots of butterscotch. It is heaven in a cookie.
These butterscotch cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with rich, caramel-like flavor in every bite. They bake up with golden edges and a tender center that makes them hard to resist fresh from the oven.
I have always loved butterscotch, and it is amazing in this easy cookie recipe. If you love this recipe, you will love these Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies and Butterscotch Cupcakes.
Why We Love This Recipe
- Soft and chewy texture: Perfect balance of tender centers and lightly crisp edges.
- Rich butterscotch flavor: Sweet, caramel-like taste in every bite.
- Easy to make: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps.
- Crowd-pleaser: Loved by kids and adults alike.
- Great for any occasion: Perfect for snacks, desserts, or holiday baking.
- Freezer-friendly dough: Make ahead and bake when you’re ready.
Ingredients
- Butter: Adds richness, moisture, and helps create a soft, tender cookie texture.
- White sugar and brown sugar: Work together for sweetness, structure, and a chewy texture with a hint of caramel flavor.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor and adds warmth to the cookies.
- Large eggs: Bind the ingredients together and help give the cookies structure and softness.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the base structure for the cookies.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly and creates a light, soft texture.
- Sea salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the butterscotch flavor.
- Butterscotch chips: The star ingredient, adding rich, sweet, caramel-like bursts in every bite.
Scroll to the bottom of the post for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.
Variations
- Chocolate chips: Add milk chocolate or white chocolate chips for extra sweetness and a richer flavor twist.
- Nuts: Mix in chopped walnuts, pecans, or sliced almonds for added crunch and texture.
- Spices: Stir in 1 teaspoon of cinnamon for a warm, cozy flavor boost.
- Toffee bits: Add toffee pieces for extra caramel-like crunch and depth of flavor.
- Sea salt finish: Sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top before baking for a sweet-salty balance.
- Nut butter swirl: Swirl in a tablespoon or two of peanut butter for a nutty flavor boost.
- Mini marshmallows: Fold in a handful for soft, gooey pockets of sweetness.
- Holiday version: Add festive sprinkles or colored chips for seasonal cookies.
Step By Step Instructions
- Step 1 – First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Step 2 – Next, cream together the butter with both of the sugars and vanilla extract in a large bowl. I use a hand held mixer or stand up mixer. Blend until thoroughly combined on medium speed.
Step 3 – Then add in the eggs one at a time blending between each one to make sure that they are thoroughly combined. Then stir in by hand the flour, baking soda and salt. Be careful not to over mix.
Step 4 – Now gently fold in the butterscotch chips.
Step 5 – Drop the dough onto cookie sheets in approximately 1 tablespoon and ensure that they are approximately 2 inches apart.
Step 6 – Bake for 8-10 minutes until the cookies are slightly golden brown.
- Step 7 – Remove them from the oven. Let the cookies to cool on the cookie sheets for approximately 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. These are best served with a glass of milk.
Expert Tips
- Use a mixer: A stand mixer or hand mixer works best for this recipe to create a smooth, well-combined dough. Either option will give great results.
- Don’t overmix the dough: Once you add the dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to dense or flat cookies. I recommend finishing the dough by hand when possible.
- Use a cookie scoop: This helps portion the dough evenly so the cookies bake at the same rate and come out uniform in size.
- Room temperature ingredients matter: Make sure your butter is softened but not melted. If it becomes too soft or greasy, chill the dough for about 30 minutes before baking.
- Let cookies rest before moving: After baking, allow cookies to sit on the baking sheet for a few minutes so they can set up. This helps prevent breakage when transferring.
- Cool completely on a rack: Move cookies to a cooling rack after a short rest so they finish cooling evenly and maintain the best texture.
- Use parchment paper or silicone liners: These prevent sticking, promote even baking, and make cleanup much easier.
- Watch baking time closely: Pull cookies when the edges are set but the centers still look slightly soft for the best chewy texture.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Leave enough space between cookies to allow for spreading.
- Check butter consistency: Properly softened butter should be cool to the touch but easily indented with a finger—not melted or oily.
Storage
- Room temperature: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4–5 days.
- Keep them soft: Place a slice of bread in the container to help maintain moisture and keep cookies chewy.
- Refrigerator option: Not necessary, but cookies can be stored in the fridge for up to 1 week if preferred. Let them come to room temperature before serving.
- Freezing baked cookies: Freeze in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2–3 months. Thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.
- Freezing dough: Scoop cookie dough onto a tray, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake straight from frozen, adding 1–2 extra minutes to bake time.
More Cookie Recipes
- M&M Cookies
- Coffee Cookies
- Soft Sugar Cookie Recipe
- Red Velvet Cookies Recipe
- Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies Recipe
- Amazing Chocolate Brownie Cookies Recipe
- Butter Cookies Recipe
Bake a batch of these butterscotch cookies and enjoy that soft, chewy, bakery-style flavor right at home! They’re easy, delicious, and perfect for sharing with family and friends. Don’t forget to leave a review and star rating to let others know how they turned out!
Butterscotch Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup Butter Softened
- 1/2 cup Sugar
- 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract
- 2 eggs
- 2 1/4 cups Flour
- 1 tsp Baking Soda
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 2 cups Butterscotch Chips
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Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F,
- Blend the butter with both of the sugars and vanilla extract with a hand held mixer or stand up mixer. Blend until throughly combined.
- Add in the eggs one at a time blending between each one to make sure that they are thoroughly combined.
- Then stir in by hand the flour, baking soda and salt. Do not over mix.
- Then gently fold in the butterscotch chips.
- Drop the dough onto cookie sheets in approximately 1 tablespoon and ensure that they are approximately 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes.
- Remove them from the oven, allow the cookies to cool on the cookie sheets for approximately 5 minutes and then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely. Enjoy!
Recipe Video
Sooo good! Best homemade cookie recipe I’ve ever made or eaten.
Thank you so much! I’m so glad that you enjoy it!
Since I don’t like to bite into butterscotch; too sweet…..I would melt 1/4 C. chips in with the butter. Add 3/4 C. pecans and I would have the perfect cookie. Yum!
That sounds like a wonderful idea Sally. Let me know how they turn out!