These butterscotch cookies are slightly chewy on the outside, while tender and melt-in-your-mouth on the inside. Just one bite and you’ll be hooked! 

An overhead view of butterscotch cookies piled on a wire cooling rack. A dish of butterscotch chips rests on the side.

As a baking blogger, I’ve made a lot of cookie recipes in my day. In fact, I have 11 pages (and counting!) of cookie recipes on my website and even wrote a cookie cookbook.

Today’s butterscotch cookie recipe has easily become one of my favorite cookies to make lately. I don’t know if it’s the chewy yet soft texture of these cookies, the butterscotch chips in every bite, or the simple fact that these bring up so many childhood memories that make them so incredible. 

Do me a favor and make them for yourself. Maybe you can explain what makes it impossible to eat just one of these butterscotch chip cookies!

An overhead view of the ingredients needed to make butterscotch cookies.

Ingredients for This Recipe 

Nine basic ingredients are all that stand between you and the world’s best butterscotch cookies. Here’s a rundown of what you’ll need for this recipe: 

  • All-purpose flour: I recommend spooning and leveling out the flour rather than scooping it straight from the bag. This will ensure that you don’t measure out too much by mistake. 
  • Baking soda: Gives the cookies a slight lift and prevents them from being too dense. 
  • Salt: Balances out the sweetness from the butterscotch chips and sugar. 
  • Butter: Should be softened to room temperature before making this recipe. 
  • Sugar: I used a mixture of brown sugar and granulated sugar in this recipe. The brown sugar has a slight caramel flavor to it that complements the butterscotch chips nicely. 
  • Eggs: Also need to be at room temperature before making the cookies. Place them in a bowl of warm water for 5 to 10 minutes if you forgot to set them out ahead of time. 
  • Vanilla extract: Pure vanilla extract will give the strongest flavor. 
  • Butterscotch chips: The star of the show! You’ll need one 11-ounce package to make the cookies. 

How to Make Butterscotch Cookies 

To make this butterscotch chip cookie recipe, you’ll first need to whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. 

Then, beat together the butter and sugars in a stand mixer that’s been fitted with a paddle attachment. 

Only cream the butter and sugars together until well combined, or about 1 to 2 minutes. You don’t want to over beat the butter and sugars because it can incorporate too much air into your dough, resulting in cakey cookies.

To the butter mixture, add the eggs and vanilla. Stop to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix until just combined, then mix the butterscotch chips in last at a low speed. 

A glass mixing bowl of cookie dough with butterscotch chips in it.

At this stage, you’ll have to be patient. The dough needs to be chilled for about two hours before it can be scooped and baked. Make sure to cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap so the dough doesn’t dry out. 

Once the dough has chilled, line three large baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop the dough onto the baking sheets using a 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop. 

The butterscotch chip cookies will need to bake for about 10 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges are golden and the tops have just set. 

Remember that the cookies will continue to cook in the center as they cool on the baking sheet, so be careful not to over bake them. 

A close up view of butterscotch chip cookies piled on a wire cooling rack. Additional butterscotch chips are scattered in the background.

Storage Instructions 

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They should last about one week. The cookies can also be frozen for up to three months, either as raw cookie dough balls or once they’ve been baked. 

Can I Add Other Mix-Ins? 

Yes! I used 11 ounces of butterscotch chips total, but it would be fine to mix and match the mix-ins as you see fit. But try the cookies with butterscotch chips first — you can’t beat the classic cookie! 

A pile of butterscotch chip cookies. The top cookie has a bite missing.

Baking Tips 

  • I recommend using unsalted butter in baked goods because the amount of salt in salted butters can vary between brands. 
  • All of your ingredients need to be room temperature before making this recipe. 
  • Do not skip chilling the dough. If you don’t chill the cookie dough, the cookies will flatten out in the oven and won’t be nice and chewy. 

More Easy Cookie Recipes to Make! 

An overhead view of butterscotch cookies piled on a wire cooling rack.

Butterscotch Cookies

5 from 1 rating
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 37 minutes
These butterscotch cookies are slightly chewy on the outside, while tender and melt-in-your-mouth on the inside. Just one bite and you'll be hooked! 

Ingredients

Servings: 42 cookies
  • 2 ¾ cups (345 grams) all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (230 grams; 2 sticks) unsalted butter (softened)
  • 1 cup (200 grams) packed light or dark brown sugar
  • ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 (11-ounce) package (311 grams) butterscotch chips

Instructions
 

  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large mixing bowl using a handheld mixer, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together for 1 to 2 minutes or until well combined.
  • Mix in the eggs and vanilla extract, one at a time, until fully combined, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  • Add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined, then mix in the butterscotch chips on low-speed until fully incorporated.
  • Cover the cookie dough tightly and transfer to the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours.
  • Once the dough is almost chilled, preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line three large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats and set aside.
  • Remove the cookie dough from the refrigerator. Using a 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop the cookie dough and drop onto the prepared baking sheets, making sure to leave a little room between each ball of cookie dough.
  • Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are lightly browned and the tops are set. Remove from the oven and cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Storage Instructions: Cookies may be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Freezing Instructions: Scoop the cookie dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and place the baking sheet in the freezer for 1 to 2 hours. Once the cookie dough is frozen, store it in a freezer bag or container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Cookie dough may be baked from frozen for an additional 1 to 2 minutes.
Baked cookies will also freeze well for up to 3 months, thaw to room temperature before serving.
Cuisine: American
Course: Dessert
Author: Danielle
Did you make this recipe?Mention @livewellbakeoften on Instagram or tag #livewellbakeoften.