Old Fashioned Soft Butterscotch Cookies Recipe
If you’re searching for a treat that feels like a warm hug from grandma’s kitchen, look no further than these Old Fashioned Soft Butterscotch Cookies. Their rich, buttery flavor melds perfectly with sweet, molten butterscotch chips to create a cookie that’s soft in the center with irresistible caramel undertones throughout. They’re everything you crave in a homemade cookie: nostalgic, comforting, and utterly delicious—just the way homemade baking should be!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind Old Fashioned Soft Butterscotch Cookies is their simplicity. Each ingredient plays a unique role in building flavor, creating that perfect tender bite, or adding a golden hue that screams “fresh from the oven.” Gather these pantry staples and you’re already halfway to indulgent cookie bliss:
- Brown sugar: This is the secret to that classic butterscotch flavor and unmatched softness—pack it tight for maximum moisture and flavor.
- Salted butter, softened: Using salted butter not only ensures the dough is creamy and rich but also balances the cookie’s overall sweetness.
- Large egg: Don’t skip the egg! It binds everything together, keeps the cookies chewy, and helps them hold their shape.
- Vanilla extract: A bit of vanilla adds warmth and depth, rounding out the sweetness and lending a classic bakery aroma.
- All-purpose flour: This flour choice provides sturdy structure without making the cookies dense or dry.
- Baking soda: For that signature puff and tender crumb, baking soda is a must; it reacts with the sugar to give a perfect rise.
- Salt: Just a touch ensures the flavors pop and the cookies aren’t overwhelmingly sweet—trust me, it makes a difference!
- Granulated sugar: This delivers some extra crispness to the edges while keeping the centers deliciously soft.
- Butterscotch chips: The star ingredient—each bite gives you gooey little puddles of butterscotch goodness that make these cookies truly unforgettable.
How to Make Old Fashioned Soft Butterscotch Cookies
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Before diving into the dough, set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Preheating means your cookies will bake evenly and develop that tender texture right from the start, so don’t rush this first step.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat together your softened butter, packed brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture looks light and fluffy. This step is honestly pure joy—the aroma is heavenly! Creaming introduces air into your dough, laying the foundation for cookies that are soft but not heavy.
Step 3: Add the Egg and Vanilla
Now, crack in your egg and pour in the vanilla extract. Mix until everything is velvety and smooth. The egg makes sure your cookies hold together, while the vanilla sneakily deepens every bite with aromatic warmth.
Step 4: Mix in the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually blend the dry mix into the wet ingredient bowl—just until you can’t see streaks of flour anymore. Overmixing can make the cookies tough, so go slow and gentle here for best results.
Step 5: Fold in the Butterscotch Chips
Time to add the magic! Gently fold in the butterscotch chips so they’re evenly distributed. Each scoop of dough should be studded all over with those sweet, creamy chips that create classic Old Fashioned Soft Butterscotch Cookies.
Step 6: Scoop and Shape the Dough
Using a cookie scoop or heaping tablespoon, portion out rounds of dough. Roll them between your palms, then place each on a lined baking sheet, leaving about two inches between cookies. This gives them space to spread into glorious, soft rounds as they bake.
Step 7: Bake the Cookies
Slide the trays into the preheated oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Watch for edges that are just golden brown while the centers stay soft. If the cookies look a bit underbaked in the center, that’s perfect—they’ll finish setting as they cool for that signature chewy bite.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Once out of the oven, let the cookies cool on the sheet for five minutes (if you can wait!). Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling completely, or sneak a warm one straight away. There’s nothing quite like that first bite of a fresh Old Fashioned Soft Butterscotch Cookie—it’s pure nostalgia!
How to Serve Old Fashioned Soft Butterscotch Cookies
Garnishes
If you want to dress up your cookies, consider a light dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of melted white chocolate, or a sprinkling of flaky sea salt just as they come out of the oven. These small touches can highlight the caramel notes and make your Old Fashioned Soft Butterscotch Cookies look bakery-worthy.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair perfectly with a cold glass of milk, a hot cup of coffee, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Serve them alongside a platter of fresh fruit or with a mug of spiced chai for a comforting afternoon treat that everyone will love.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack the cookies in a mason jar with a ribbon for easy gifting, arrange them on a tiered cake stand for dessert tables, or make a cookie sandwich by spreading a little caramel or cream cheese frosting between two cookies. No matter how you serve them, these Old Fashioned Soft Butterscotch Cookies always steal the show.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any extra cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Add a slice of bread to the container if you want to maintain their softness longer—the bread will help keep the cookies moist and fresh!
Freezing
To freeze, let baked cookies cool completely, then layer them between sheets of parchment paper and seal in a freezer-safe bag or container. If you prefer, you can also freeze unbaked cookie dough balls; just scoop and freeze on a tray, then bag them up once solid. Bake from frozen, just add a minute or two to the baking time for perfect Old Fashioned Soft Butterscotch Cookies anytime you crave them!
Reheating
To revive that fresh-from-the-oven magic, pop a cookie (or several) into the microwave for about 10 seconds. Warmth reinvigorates those melty butterscotch chips and gives the cookies an ultra-soft bite that’s simply irresistible.
FAQs
Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted?
Yes, you can! Just add an extra pinch of salt (about 1/4 teaspoon) to the dough to balance the flavors, ensuring your Old Fashioned Soft Butterscotch Cookies aren’t too sweet.
Can I substitute butterscotch chips with chocolate chips?
Absolutely, although you’ll lose the classic butterscotch flavor. If you want a twist, try half butterscotch and half chocolate chips for a new take on this nostalgic cookie.
How do I make sure my cookies stay soft after baking?
Don’t overbake—pull the cookies from the oven while the centers are still slightly underdone. Storing them with a slice of bread also helps keep them extra soft.
Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
Definitely! This recipe doubles beautifully. Use two baking sheets and rotate them halfway through baking for best results, ensuring all your Old Fashioned Soft Butterscotch Cookies come out just right.
Do I need to chill the dough?
It’s not necessary, but chilling can help the flavors meld and yield a thicker, chewier cookie. If you have time, chill the dough for 30 minutes—you won’t regret it!
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to cozy up with a truly classic homemade cookie, these Old Fashioned Soft Butterscotch Cookies will absolutely hit the spot. They’re the kind of cookie you’ll want to share with family, friends, or anyone in serious need of sweet comfort. Fire up your oven and treat yourself to a batch—you’ll love every soft, butterscotch-studded bite!
Print
Old Fashioned Soft Butterscotch Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Makes about 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Old Fashioned Soft Butterscotch Cookies are a delightful treat with a chewy texture and rich butterscotch flavor. Perfect for any occasion, these cookies are sure to become a family favorite!
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup salted butter (1 stick), softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 12-ounce package of butterscotch chips
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the Egg and Vanilla: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Mix in the Dry Ingredients: Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt, and slowly add to the wet ingredients.
- Fold in the Butterscotch Chips: Gently fold in the butterscotch chips.
- Scoop and Shape the Dough: Roll the dough into balls and place on a baking sheet.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are golden brown.
- Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies cool before enjoying!
Notes
- For a chewier cookie, slightly underbake them.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Butterscotch Cookies, Soft Cookies, Dessert Recipe
