Best Ever Butterscotch Cookies

Featured in: Sweet Simple Treats

These chewy treats blend rich butterscotch and semisweet chocolate chips, accented with flaky sea salt for a delightful sweet and salty flavor. Made with simple pantry staples, they're quick to prepare and bake, perfect for satisfying cravings. The combination of buttery dough, melty chips, and a subtle salty finish creates a rich, irresistible bite. Ideal for sharing or enjoying with coffee, these cookies offer comfort with a gourmet touch.

Updated on Sun, 23 Nov 2025 09:12:00 GMT
Golden, chewy Best Ever Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies sprinkled with flaky sea salt. Save
Golden, chewy Best Ever Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies sprinkled with flaky sea salt. | tastlis.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!

I have made these several times for family gatherings and everyone always asks for the recipe they are that good.

Ingredients

  • Unsalted butter: ½ cup (113 g), at room temperature or straight from the fridge
  • Brown sugar: ¼ cup (50 g), packed
  • Granulated sugar: ½ cup (100 g)
  • Egg: 1 large
  • Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
  • All-purpose flour: 1½ cups (195 g)
  • Baking soda: 1 teaspoon
  • Salt: ½ teaspoon
  • Butterscotch chips: 1 cup (170 g), use less if desired for less sweetness
  • Semisweet chocolate chips: 1 cup (170 g)
  • Chopped walnuts: ½ cup (55 g), optional
  • Flaky sea salt: for sprinkling

Instructions

Preheat oven:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Mix wet ingredients:
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.
Add egg and vanilla:
Add the egg and vanilla extract; mix on low speed until just combined.
Mix dry ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
Combine mixtures:
Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until just incorporated do not overmix.
Fold in mix-ins:
Gently fold in the butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, and optional walnuts.
Shape dough:
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.
Bake cookies:
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.
Cool and finish:
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.
Store:
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Warm Best Ever Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies fresh from the oven, offering sweet, salty delight. Save
Warm Best Ever Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies fresh from the oven, offering sweet, salty delight. | tastlis.com

These cookies have become a staple at holiday family gatherings where everyone enjoys sharing them fresh out of the oven.

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

Per large cookie approx Calories 260 Total Fat 13 g Carbohydrates 34 g Protein 3 g

Close-up of Best Ever Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookie, showing gooey chocolate and butterscotch chips. Save
Close-up of Best Ever Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookie, showing gooey chocolate and butterscotch chips. | tastlis.com

Try this recipe for a perfect balance of sweet and salty it will quickly become your favorite cookie.

Recipe FAQs

How do I achieve chewy texture in these cookies?

Use a balance of brown and granulated sugars and avoid overbaking. Letting the cookies cool on the baking sheet helps them set while retaining chewiness.

Can I substitute walnuts with another nut?

Yes, pecans or chopped almonds work well for added crunch if you prefer a different nut option.

What is the best way to incorporate sea salt?

Sprinkle flaky sea salt on warm cookies just after baking to enhance the sweet flavors and add a subtle salty contrast.

Is it better to brown the butter for extra flavor?

Browning the butter adds a nutty depth that complements the butterscotch and chocolate chips wonderfully.

How should I store these cookies to maintain freshness?

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days to preserve their texture and flavor.

Can the dough be frozen before baking?

Yes, the dough balls can be frozen and baked later, maintaining freshness and convenience.

Best Ever Butterscotch Cookies

Chewy cookies featuring butterscotch chips, semisweet chocolate, and a hint of sea salt for balanced sweetness.

Prep Time
10 min
Time to Cook
13 min
Overall Time
23 min
Author Lena Foster


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine American

Makes 12 Portions

Dietary details Vegetarian

What You'll Need

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

Instruction 01

Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans: Set oven temperature to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Instruction 02

Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar using an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth and creamy without lumps.

Instruction 03

Incorporate Egg and Vanilla: Add the egg and vanilla extract to the mixture and blend on low speed until just combined.

Instruction 04

Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl.

Instruction 05

Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just incorporated to avoid overmixing.

Instruction 06

Add Mix-Ins: Fold in butterscotch chips, semisweet chocolate chips, and optional walnuts gently into the dough.

Instruction 07

Portion Dough onto Baking Sheets: Use a large ice cream scoop (¼ cup) for large cookies or a heaping tablespoon (2 tablespoons) for medium cookies to drop dough evenly spaced onto prepared sheets. Optionally press extra chips on top.

Instruction 08

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

Instruction 09

Cool and Salt: Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely. While warm, sprinkle with flaky sea salt.

Instruction 10

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

Tools Needed

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

Allergy Notes

Review each component for possible allergens. If you aren't sure, ask a health pro.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, milk (in butter and chocolate chips), and optional tree nuts (walnuts).

Nutrition Info (per portion)

This nutrition data is just for your information—always check with a healthcare provider if needed.
  • Energy: 260
  • Fats: 13 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Proteins: 3 g