If you’re looking for a cookie that perfectly balances sweet, buttery richness with moments of melty, indulgent chips, you’ve got to try this Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. Every bite offers a delightful harmony of butterscotch’s caramel warmth and chocolate’s deep cocoa flavor, crowned with a sprinkle of sea salt that takes these cookies to an irresistible new level. They’re chewy with just the right amount of crisp on the edges, making them an instant favorite whenever you crave a homemade treat that feels both nostalgic and exciting.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients may look straightforward, but each one plays a starring role in making your Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe truly shine. From the creamy butter that creates perfect chewiness to the little sprinkle of sea salt that enhances the sweetness, understanding what each add-in does helps you appreciate every bite.
- ½ cup unsalted butter: Provides the luscious, tender base that makes the cookies moist and rich.
- ¼ cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with the cookie’s light crispness.
- ½ cup brown sugar: Brings moisture and a slight molasses flavor that deepens the cookie’s complexity.
- 1 large egg: Binds everything together and gives structure to the dough.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors with a warm, aromatic note.
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour: Forms the foundation, delivering just the right softness and chew.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and keeps the texture light.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and highlights other flavors.
- 1 cup butterscotch chips: The star ingredient delivering buttery caramel bursts in every bite.
- 1 cup chocolate chips: Adds rich, melted pockets of chocolate goodness for contrast.
- Sea salt sprinkles: A finishing touch that elevates sweetness with a subtle crunch and flavor pop.
- Optional: walnuts: Gives the cookies a delightful crunch and nutty dimension if you like a bit of texture.
How to Make Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your cookies will bake evenly from the moment they go in, creating that perfect golden edge and chewy center. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter together with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is fluffy and smooth. This creaming process traps air in the butter, contributing to a lighter cookie texture and deeply flavorful base that complements both the butterscotch and chocolate chips.
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Next, add the large egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix until fully combined. The egg binds the ingredients while the vanilla adds a subtle depth that draws out the richness in your cookie dough.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt together. This step evenly distributes the leavening agent and seasoning, ensuring that your cookies rise just right and have balanced flavors.
Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry
Slowly add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Overmixing can cause tough cookies, so it’s important to stop as soon as you don’t see dry flour anywhere.
Step 6: Fold in Chips and Nuts
Gently fold in the butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, and walnuts if you’re using them. These chunks create pockets of molten flavor and delightful surprises in every bite, making this Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe truly special.
Step 7: Scoop and Salt
Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly to allow for spreading. Immediately sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on each dollop. This little extra step balances sweetness and brings out the best in both the butterscotch and chocolate.
Step 8: Bake and Cool
Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn a gorgeous golden brown. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for several minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This resting time lets the cookies set up perfectly without crumbling.
How to Serve Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top is a brilliant finishing touch, adding a delicate crunch and flavor contrast. For extra flair, try drizzling a bit of melted butterscotch or dark chocolate over the cooled cookies for a decorative and indulgent burst of sweetness.
Side Dishes
These cookies are divine on their own but pair beautifully with a tall glass of cold milk, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or even a creamy cup of coffee. Each pairing complements the warm caramel and chocolate notes, making dessert time something you’ll look forward to every day.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe treats stacked on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of extra chips and nuts for friends to customize. Or sandwich softened cookies with a layer of whipped cream or peanut butter for an irresistible twist that’s sure to impress.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay chewy and delectable for up to a week, so you can enjoy a homemade snack at your convenience without worry.
Freezing
If you want to bake ahead, the dough freezes wonderfully. Scoop it onto a tray, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to three months. You can also freeze baked cookies in an airtight container with parchment layers to maintain their texture.
Reheating
To bring your cookies back to that fresh-from-the-oven state, warm them gently in a microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This revives the softness and melty chips for a quick sweet moment anytime you need it.
FAQs
Can I substitute the butterscotch chips?
Absolutely! If you don’t have butterscotch chips, caramel chips or even toffee bits can work well, keeping that rich, buttery sweetness in the cookie.
Do I have to use walnuts in this recipe?
Not at all. Walnuts are optional and add crunch, but the cookies are just as delicious without them if you prefer a pure chip experience.
How do I make these cookies chewier?
For chewier cookies, try using more brown sugar than granulated sugar or add an extra egg yolk. These adjustments increase moisture and contribute to that soft, chewy texture.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
You can, but reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe so the cookies don’t turn out too salty. Unsalted butter gives you better control over the final flavor.
What is the role of sea salt sprinkles on top?
The sea salt sprinkles provide a little savory contrast that sparks your taste buds and highlights the sweet butterscotch and chocolate flavors. It’s a small touch with big impact.
Final Thoughts
There’s truly nothing like pulling a batch of these Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe from your oven—warm, fragrant, and ready to be devoured. Whether you bake them for a cozy night in, a party, or to treat yourself after a long day, they’re sure to become one of your go-to favorites. So grab your ingredients, preheat that oven, and prepare to enjoy cookie magic!
Print
Delicious Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in the perfect blend of sweet butterscotch and rich chocolate chips in these chewy, golden-brown homemade cookies, finished with a touch of sea salt for a sensational flavor contrast.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Add-ins
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- Sea salt sprinkles, for topping
- Optional: walnuts (quantity as desired)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the ideal temperature for baking the cookies evenly.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, helping to create a tender cookie texture.
- Add egg and vanilla: Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract until fully combined to provide moisture and enhance flavor.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and seasoning.
- Combine wet and dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can toughen the cookies.
- Fold in chips and nuts: Carefully fold in the butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, and walnuts if using, ensuring even distribution without overworking the dough.
- Shape cookies: Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them sufficiently to allow spread during baking.
- Add sea salt: Lightly sprinkle sea salt on top of each cookie dough mound to balance sweetness and enhance flavor.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown, indicating the cookies are done.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes for firmness before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely, preventing breakage.
Notes
- For a nuttier flavor, toast walnuts before folding them into the dough.
- Do not overmix the dough to maintain soft and tender cookies.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Sea salt sprinkles add a lovely contrast to sweetness but can be adjusted or omitted based on preference.
- For softer cookies, slightly underbake by a minute or two.
