Best Ever Butterscotch Cookies

Featured in: Sweet Treats

These chewy cookies blend rich butterscotch and semisweet chocolate chips, enhanced by a delicate sprinkle of flaky sea salt for a perfect balance of flavors. The dough combines butter, brown and granulated sugars, egg, and vanilla extract with flour, baking soda, and salt. Optional chopped walnuts add texture. Baked at 350°F, the cookies turn golden at the edges with a soft center. Enjoy fresh or store in an airtight container for up to five days. For a deeper flavor, browning the butter before mixing adds a nutty undertone. Variations include nut swaps or omitting them for allergen considerations.

Updated on Sun, 23 Nov 2025 10:51:00 GMT
Warm, golden Best Ever Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies with a sprinkle of sea salt look delicious. Pin
Warm, golden Best Ever Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies with a sprinkle of sea salt look delicious. | garlicgroove.com

These irresistibly chewy cookies combine rich butterscotch and semisweet chocolate chips, finished with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for the perfect sweet-and-salty bite Easy to make and impossible to resist

Ingredients

  • Wet Ingredients: ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature or straight from the fridge ¼ cup (50 g) brown sugar, packed ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar 1 large egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Dry Ingredients: 1½ cups (195 g) all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt
  • Mix-Ins: 1 cup (170 g) butterscotch chips (use less if desired for less sweetness) 1 cup (170 g) semisweet chocolate chips ½ cup (55 g) chopped walnuts (optional)
  • Finishing: Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling

Instructions

Step 1:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper
Step 2:
In a large bowl, beat together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar with an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth and creamy, with no butter lumps remaining
Step 3:
Add the egg and vanilla extract mix on low speed until just combined
Step 4:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt
Step 5:
Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until just incorporated do not overmix
Step 6:
Gently fold in the butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, and optional walnuts
Step 7:
Using a large ice cream scoop (¼ cup dough for large cookies) or heaping tablespoon (2 tablespoons for medium cookies), drop dough onto prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie If desired, press a few extra chips onto the tops of the dough mounds
Step 8:
Bake one sheet at a time Medium cookies (2 tbsp dough) Bake 8–10 minutes Large cookies (¼ cup dough) Bake 10–13 minutes Cookies are done when the edges are lightly golden and the tops are just set
Step 9:
Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely While still warm, sprinkle with flaky sea salt
Step 10:
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days
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Required Tools

Mixing bowls Electric mixer Measuring cups and spoons Baking sheets Parchment paper Ice cream scoop or tablespoon Wire rack

Allergen Information

Contains Wheat (gluten), eggs, milk (in chips and butter), and optional tree nuts (walnuts) Check all labels for chips and flavorings for potential allergens

Nutritional Information

Calories: 260 Total Fat: 13 g Carbohydrates: 34 g Protein: 3 g

Freshly baked Best Ever Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies, boasting a mix of textures and sweet chocolate. Pin
Freshly baked Best Ever Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies, boasting a mix of textures and sweet chocolate. | garlicgroove.com

This cookie recipe is both simple and delicious making it a staple for any occasion

Recipe Questions

How can I achieve chewier cookies?

To get chewier cookies, avoid overbaking and remove them from the oven once edges are lightly golden but centers remain soft. They firm up as they cool.

Can I substitute walnuts with other nuts?

Yes, pecans work well as a substitute for walnuts or you can omit nuts entirely for a nut-free option.

What is the purpose of flaky sea salt on top?

Flaky sea salt adds a subtle crunch and enhances the sweet-and-salty flavor contrast in the cookies.

Is it better to brown the butter before mixing?

Browning the butter adds a rich, nutty undertone that deepens the flavor profile of the cookies.

How should I store these cookies for freshness?

Keep the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh for up to five days.

Can I freeze the cookie dough or baked cookies?

Both baked cookies and dough balls freeze well. Freeze dough for later baking or store baked cookies to enjoy later.

Best Ever Butterscotch Cookies

Irresistibly chewy cookies with butterscotch, chocolate chips, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt.

Prep duration
10 min
Cook duration
13 min
Complete duration
23 min


Complexity Easy

Heritage American

Output 12 Portions

Dietary requirements Vegetarian

Components

Wet Ingredients

01 ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature or chilled
02 ¼ cup packed brown sugar
03 ½ cup granulated sugar
04 1 large egg
05 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

01 1½ cups all-purpose flour
02 1 teaspoon baking soda
03 ½ teaspoon salt

Mix-Ins

01 1 cup butterscotch chips
02 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
03 ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Finishing

01 Flaky sea salt for sprinkling

Directions

Step 01

Prepare Oven and Baking Sheets: Preheat oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 02

Cream Butter and Sugars: Beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar with an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth and creamy, ensuring no butter lumps remain.

Step 03

Incorporate Egg and Vanilla: Add egg and vanilla extract; mix on low speed until just combined.

Step 04

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt until evenly blended.

Step 05

Mix Wet and Dry Components: Add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just incorporated to avoid overmixing.

Step 06

Fold in Mix-Ins: Gently fold in butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, and optional walnuts.

Step 07

Portion Dough: Scoop dough using a ¼ cup measure for large cookies or 2 tablespoons for medium ones; place mounds on prepared sheets spacing adequately. Optionally, press a few chips onto tops.

Step 08

Bake Cookies: Bake one sheet at a time: 8–10 minutes for medium cookies, 10–13 minutes for large. Cookies are done when edges turn lightly golden and tops set.

Step 09

Cool and Finish: Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. While warm, sprinkle with flaky sea salt.

Step 10

Storage: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days.

Necessary tools

  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric mixer
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Ice cream scoop or tablespoon
  • Wire cooling rack

Allergy details

Review each ingredient for potential allergens and speak with a healthcare provider if you're uncertain about anything.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, milk (in butter and chips), and optional tree nuts (walnuts).

Nutrition breakdown (per portion)

These values are provided as estimates only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy: 260
  • Fat: 13 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Protein: 3 g