Old-Fashioned Butterscotch Cookies Recipe

I absolutely love this Old-Fashioned Butterscotch Cookies Recipe because it brings a comforting nostalgic vibe every time I bake it. The soft centers and slightly crisp edges paired with those sweet, melty butterscotch morsels create a cookie that’s hard to resist. Whenever I want a classic treat that feels like home, this is my go-to, especially for sharing with friends at casual get-togethers or cozy afternoons with a cup of tea.

You’ll find that this Old-Fashioned Butterscotch Cookies Recipe is wonderfully straightforward, yet the chilling steps make all the difference for perfect texture. I used to struggle with cookies spreading too much or ending up flat, but once I started chilling the dough twice, it made baking foolproof. If you want a reliable, crowd-pleasing cookie, this one’s definitely worth trying!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Old-Fashioned Butterscotch Cookies Recipe plays a special role — from the creamy butter that gives richness to the brown sugar that adds depth and chewiness. Having quality ingredients really helps bring out those classic flavors.

• All-purpose flour: Provides structure; make sure to measure it properly by spooning and leveling to avoid dense cookies.
• Baking soda: Helps cookies rise and spread just right.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
• Salted butter: Use room temperature butter for easy creaming, which adds air and lightness to your cookies.
• Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and a hint of molasses flavor, vital for that chewy texture.
• Granulated sugar: Gives sweetness and helps with crisp edges.
• Eggs: Bind everything together; room temperature is best to blend smoothly.
• Vanilla extract: A simple but essential flavor booster to round out the sweetness.
• Butterscotch morsels: The star ingredient — these melt deliciously in the oven, creating pockets of gooey butterscotch goodness.

Variations

I love tweaking this Old-Fashioned Butterscotch Cookies Recipe depending on my mood or the season—it’s so versatile and forgiving. Feel free to make it your own by adding your favorite mix-ins or swapping ingredients, because a little customization can make a recipe feel extra special!

• Add chopped nuts: I sometimes throw in chopped pecans or walnuts for some crunch and a lovely nutty contrast to the sweetness.
• Oatmeal twist: Mixing in old-fashioned oats adds heartiness and a slightly chewy texture that my family loves.
• Salted butterscotch: Sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top before baking to enhance the butterscotch flavor with a subtle salty kick.
• Gluten-free option: Swap all-purpose flour for a good gluten-free blend; just make sure it has xanthan gum for structure.

How to Make Old-Fashioned Butterscotch Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Mix Your Dry Ingredients Together

Start by whisking the flour, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl. This ensures everything is evenly combined and helps avoid pockets of baking soda. Setting this aside gets you ready for the wet ingredients without any stress.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars Until Light and Fluffy

Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the softened butter with both the brown and granulated sugars until the mixture is light and creamy — about 3 to 4 minutes. Don’t rush this step; creaming well is key to a soft texture and nicely risen cookies.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

With the mixer on low, add eggs one at a time, blending fully before adding the next. This helps create a homogeneous dough. Then pour in the vanilla extract and mix gently so the flavor is evenly distributed.

Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Butterscotch Morsels

Add the flour mixture gradually, mixing on low speed just until combined. It’s really important not to over-mix here as that can make your cookies tough. Once the dough comes together, fold in the butterscotch morsels evenly — seeing those golden morsels peek through the dough makes me smile every time!

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Cover the dough and refrigerate it for at least one hour. This chilling step firm ups the dough, which stops the cookies from spreading too thin when baked. I discovered this trick when I first tried this recipe, and it gave me those perfect old-fashioned chewy cookies instead of flat disks.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Preheat your oven to 375°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons about two inches apart. Here’s a trick: pop the trays back in the fridge or freezer for 10 minutes to chill again before baking—you’ll thank me later for this extra step! Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until edges turn a lovely light brown but centers still look soft. Let them rest on the pan for 5 minutes; this makes transferring to a wire rack much easier without breaking the cookies.

How to Serve Old-Fashioned Butterscotch Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I often sprinkle a little flaky sea salt over the cookies right after baking — it adds a beautiful contrast that makes the butterscotch shine even more. For special occasions, a light dusting of powdered sugar gives a charming touch without overpowering the cookie’s sweetness.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with classic milk (my personal favorite), a warm cup of coffee, or even spicy chai. For a fun dessert platter, I like to include fresh fruit like sliced apples or berries to balance the buttery richness with a fresh bite.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or parties, I’ve arranged stacks of these cookies tied with rustic twine and small sprigs of rosemary or thyme — it looks adorable and smells amazing! Another favorite is placing them on a vintage-style plate with napkins printed with a fun quote about baking, perfect for gifting.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, separated by parchment paper to keep them from sticking. They stay fresh and enjoyable for about 4 to 5 days — perfect for leisurely snacking all week! If you want to soften them up before serving, just place a slice of bread in the container to add moisture back.

Freezing

I freeze the scooped but unbaked dough on a tray, then transfer the frozen dough balls into a zip-top bag. This way, I can bake fresh cookies anytime with no extra fuss — just add a couple of baking minutes when baking from frozen. It’s a total lifesaver for last-minute treats.

Reheating

To bring cookies back to that fresh-baked warmth, I pop them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes or microwave for around 15 seconds. This little trick melts the butterscotch morsels just a bit and gives you that oven-fresh feeling that’s so comforting.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Old-Fashioned Butterscotch Cookies Recipe truly holds a special place in my heart because it reminds me of simple, happy times spent baking with loved ones. I hope when you try it, you’ll enjoy the process and create your own warm memories with every batch. Trust me, once you make these cookies, they’ll become a staple in your kitchen like they did in mine!

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