Best Ever Butterscotch Cookies

Featured in: Sweet Tooth Fix

These chewy treats combine rich butterscotch and semisweet chocolate chips, enhanced by a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for balance. Made with simple wet and dry ingredients, the dough is gently folded with chips and optional walnuts before baking to golden perfection. Cooling slightly before adding sea salt creates a delightful sweet-and-salty experience. Perfect for sharing or storing for days when craving a satisfying indulgence.

Updated on Sat, 22 Nov 2025 14:44:00 GMT
Warm Best Ever Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies with a sprinkle of sea salt. Save
Warm Best Ever Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies with a sprinkle of sea salt. | tastyeffect.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 baked these cookies multiple times and they are always the highlight at family gatherings. The balance of flavors keeps everyone coming back for more.

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:
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.
Combine dry ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
Mix dry into wet:
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.
Portion 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:
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.
Storage:
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Golden, chewy Best Ever Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies, ready to eat with a perfect salty finish. Save
Golden, chewy Best Ever Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies, ready to eat with a perfect salty finish. | tastyeffect.com

These cookies always bring smiles at our family gatherings and kids love helping sprinkle the finishing sea salt on top.

Notes

For extra flavor brown the butter before mixing for a nutty undertone. These cookies freeze well baked or as unbaked dough balls.

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.

Fresh from the oven: a batch of Best Ever Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies, bursting with rich flavors. Save
Fresh from the oven: a batch of Best Ever Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies, bursting with rich flavors. | tastyeffect.com

Enjoy these delicious cookies fresh or frozen they are always a crowd-pleaser.

Recipe FAQ

What makes these cookies chewy?

A balance of brown and granulated sugars combined with careful baking time helps achieve a soft and chewy texture.

Can I substitute walnuts in the mix-ins?

Yes, pecans can be used as an alternative, or nuts can be omitted for a nut-free version without affecting texture.

How does flaky sea salt enhance the cookies?

Sprinkling flaky sea salt just before serving brings out the sweetness and adds a delightful contrast to the rich chips.

Is it better to brown the butter before mixing?

Browning the butter adds a nutty undertone that enriches the overall flavor, though it is optional.

How should these treats be stored?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days to maintain freshness and chewiness.

Best Ever Butterscotch Cookies

Chewy cookies featuring rich butterscotch, chocolate chips, and a hint of sea salt.

Prep duration
10 min
Cook duration
13 min
Complete duration
23 min
Created by Jane Miller


Skill level Easy

Heritage American

Output 12 Portions

Dietary requirements Meat-free

Components

Wet Ingredients

01 ½ cup unsalted butter, chilled or room temperature
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

Phase 01

Preheat oven and prepare baking sheets: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Phase 02

Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy, free of butter lumps.

Phase 03

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

Phase 04

Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.

Phase 05

Mix dry into wet ingredients: Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just incorporated; avoid overmixing.

Phase 06

Add mix-ins: Gently fold in butterscotch chips, semisweet chocolate chips, and optional walnuts.

Phase 07

Portion dough onto sheets: Using a large ice cream scoop (¼ cup per large cookie) or heaping tablespoon (2 tablespoons per medium cookie), drop dough onto prepared sheets, spacing evenly. Optionally press extra chips on top.

Phase 08

Bake cookies: Bake one tray at a time. For medium cookies (2 tbsp dough), bake 8–10 minutes. For large cookies (¼ cup dough), bake 10–13 minutes. Cookies are done when edges are lightly golden and tops are set.

Phase 09

Cool and finish: Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes; transfer to wire rack. While warm, sprinkle with flaky sea salt.

Phase 10

Store cookies: Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 5 days.

Necessary tools

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

Allergy details

Review each component for potential allergens and seek professional healthcare advice if uncertain.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, dairy, and optional tree nuts (walnuts). Verify individual ingredients for allergens.

Nutritional information (per portion)

These values are approximate guides only and shouldn't replace professional medical consultation.
  • Energy: 260
  • Fats: 13 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Proteins: 3 g