Best Ever Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Introduction

These Best Ever Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies combine rich butterscotch sweetness with classic chocolate chips and a hint of sea salt for the perfect balance. Soft and chewy with a golden edge, they’re a delightful treat for any cookie lover.

Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter, straight from fridge or room temperature
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, measured correctly
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butterscotch chips (use less if you prefer less sweetness)
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• Sea salt sprinkles for topping
• Optional: walnuts

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, beat together the butter and both sugars using an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth with no chunks remaining.
3. Step 3: Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing on low speed until fully incorporated.
4. Step 4: Add the flour, baking soda, and salt to the bowl and mix until just combined—avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
5. Step 5: Fold in the butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, and optional walnuts gently until evenly distributed.
6. Step 6: Using a spoon or ice cream scoop, drop dough portions (6 to 8 per pan depending on size) onto the prepared baking sheets. Press extra butterscotch and chocolate chips on top if desired.
7. Step 7: Bake one sheet at a time until edges and bottoms are lightly browned and tops feel firm—about 8–10 minutes for medium (2 tablespoon dough) cookies or 10–13 minutes for large (¼ cup dough) cookies.
8. Step 8: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Sprinkle sea salt on top while still warm for that signature sweet and salty finish.

Tips & Variations

• To balance sweetness, don’t skip the sea salt topping—it enhances flavor and keeps the cookies from tasting overly sweet.
• Try adding chopped walnuts or pecans for extra texture and a nutty flavor.
• For chewier cookies, use brown sugar only instead of a mix of granulated and brown.

Storage

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To refresh slightly, warm in the microwave for 10 seconds before serving. You can also freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months; thaw at room temperature before enjoying.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe to avoid overly salty cookies.

How do I prevent cookies from spreading too much?

Make sure your butter is chilled but slightly softened, and avoid overmixing the dough. Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can also help maintain shape.

Best Ever Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 80 reviews

Delight in these Best Ever Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies featuring a perfect balance of sweet butterscotch, rich chocolate chips, and a sprinkle of sea salt for a sweet and salty flavor explosion. Soft, chewy, and irresistibly gooey, these cookies are simple to make and perfect for any occasion.

• Author: Tara
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 12 to 30 cookies depending on size 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Wet Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter, straight from fridge or room temperature
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, measured correctly
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

Add-ins

• 1 cup butterscotch chips (use less if desired, but note butterscotch is very sweet)
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• Sea salt sprinkles for topping
• Optional: chopped walnuts

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
2. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until the mixture is smooth and free from any butter chunks.
3. Add Egg and Vanilla: Lower the mixer speed to low and add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing just until fully combined to maintain a tender cookie texture.
4. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the flour, baking soda, and salt to the wet mixture and mix gently until just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix the dough as this can result in tough cookies.
5. Mix in Chips and Nuts: Fold in the butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, and optional walnuts by hand or on low mixer speed until evenly distributed, avoiding overmixing.
6. Portion Dough: Using a small or large ice cream scoop or a heaping tablespoon, drop spoonfuls of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing 6 to 8 per pan depending on size. Optionally, press a few extra chips on top before baking for visual appeal.
7. Bake Cookies: Bake one sheet at a time in the preheated oven. For medium cookies (about 2 tablespoons dough), bake 8-10 minutes; for large cookies (about ¼ cup dough), bake 10-13 minutes. Cookies are done when edges and bottoms are lightly browned and tops feel firm when gently touched.
8. Cool and Salt: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. While they cool, sprinkle sea salt over the cookies to enhance the sweet and salty flavor.
9. Serve and Enjoy: Once cooled, serve these delicious butterscotch chocolate chip cookies fresh or store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Notes

• For softer cookies, reduce baking time slightly.
• Adjust the amount of butterscotch chips to control sweetness.
• Optional walnuts add a nice crunch but can be omitted for nut-free version.
• Sprinkling sea salt on top right after baking enhances flavor contrast.
• Ensure not to overmix dough to keep cookies tender and chewy.
• Use parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.

Keywords: butterscotch chocolate chip cookies, sea salt cookies, soft chewy cookies, easy cookie recipe, dessert, baking