Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies
Get ready to indulge in the ultimate sweet treat with this incredible Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe. These cookies offer a delightful combination of buttery butterscotch flavor perfectly paired with rich, melty chocolate chips, creating a chewy, irresistible bite every time. Whether you’re baking for a cozy afternoon or a special occasion, these gems are sure to become your new favorite dessert on repeat!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect Balance of Flavors: The sweet butterscotch complements the deep chocolate, delivering a luscious taste that melts in your mouth.
- Chewy Texture: These cookies stay soft and chewy, offering the perfect bite without being too cakey or crunchy.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples you likely already have, making it quick to whip up anytime cravings strike.
- Versatile Treat: Great for lunchboxes, parties, or a comforting dessert after dinner.
- Easy to Customize: You can effortlessly adjust mix-ins or add nuts to suit your tastes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is key to nailing this Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe. Each item plays a role in achieving that perfect texture, flavor depth, and golden color that make these cookies shine.
- Unsalted Butter: Provides richness and a tender crumb when creamed with sugar.
- Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a hint of caramelized sweetness vital for chewy cookies.
- Granulated Sugar: Helps with structure and balanced sweetness.
- Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to the chewy texture.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile with a warm, aromatic touch.
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation that holds everything together for the perfect cookie consistency.
- Baking Soda: Leavens the dough slightly, helping the cookies rise and spread evenly.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies the other flavors.
- Butterscotch Chips: The star ingredient that delivers that signature buttery, caramelized flavor.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Adds melty chocolate pockets that complement the butterscotch beautifully.
Variations for Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies
This recipe is incredibly adaptable, perfect for experimenting if you want to cater to dietary needs or just add a personal twist. Feel free to get creative and make these cookies uniquely yours!
- Nutty Twist: Add chopped pecans or walnuts for a satisfying crunch that pairs well with the sweet chips.
- Gluten-Free Version: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend without compromising texture.
- Dairy-Free Option: Use coconut oil or vegan butter and dairy-free chocolate chips for a vegan-friendly cookie.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm, cozy flavor kick.
- Extra Sweet: Mix in white chocolate chips alongside butterscotch for even more sweetness.
How to Make Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars
Begin by beating the softened unsalted butter with both brown and granulated sugars until light and fluffy. This step is crucial for incorporating air, which helps the cookies rise with a perfect chewy texture.
Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, mix in the vanilla extract to give the cookies a warm, aromatic base flavor.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents for consistent cookie texture.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter-sugar-egg mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, so stop once you no longer see dry flour.
Step 5: Fold in Butterscotch and Chocolate Chips
Carefully fold in the butterscotch chips and semi-sweet chocolate chips, making sure they’re evenly spread throughout the dough for bursts of flavor in every bite.
Step 6: Chill the Dough
Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and to prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
Step 7: Bake
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Scoop dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space between each scoop. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn golden brown but the centers remain soft.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This prevents them from breaking and helps set the chewy texture.
Pro Tips for Making Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Room Temperature Butter: Soft butter creams more easily and traps air better, resulting in a lighter cookie.
- Don’t Overmix: Overworking dough develops gluten, causing your cookies to be tough instead of chewy.
- Use Parchment Paper: Helps the cookies bake evenly and prevents sticking.
- Chill the Dough: Chilling thickens the dough, reducing spreading and intensifying flavors.
- Watch the Bake Time: Remove cookies when edges are golden but centers are still soft for optimal chewiness.
How to Serve Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies
Garnishes
Sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top of freshly baked cookies to enhance the sweetness and create a delightful burst of flavor with each bite.
Side Dishes
Serve your cookies alongside a cold glass of milk, a warm cup of coffee, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic dessert combo that everyone loves.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack cookies on a beautiful plate tied with twine for gift-giving, or sandwich two cookies together with a dollop of vanilla or caramel frosting for a fun twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep baked Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain freshness for up to five days.
Freezing
You can freeze unbaked cookie dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag; bake frozen dough with an extra minute or two added to the baking time.
Reheating
Warm cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5 minutes to revive their soft, gooey texture.
FAQs
Can I substitute butterscotch chips with caramel chips?
Yes, caramel chips can be used, but they have a slightly different flavor and melt differently, so expect a subtle change in taste and texture.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
The base recipe uses all-purpose flour, so it’s not gluten-free, but you can easily substitute with a gluten-free flour blend to make it suitable.
How long do Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies stay fresh?
Stored properly in an airtight container, these cookies stay fresh and chewy for about five days at room temperature.
Can I make these cookies vegan?
Absolutely! Replace butter with vegan butter or coconut oil and use dairy-free chocolate and butterscotch chips to make a vegan version.
What is the best way to prevent cookies from spreading too much?
Chilling the dough before baking and ensuring not to over-cream the butter and sugar helps prevent excessive spreading.
Final Thoughts
This Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe is about to become your go-to whenever you want a simple yet decadent sweet treat. The perfect pairing of buttery butterscotch with melty chocolate chips creates a cookie experience that feels like a warm hug in every bite. Don’t wait to dive in and start baking these joyful cookies—they’re as fun to make as they are delicious to eat!
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Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (with substitution)
Description
Indulge in chewy, buttery Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies that perfectly balance sweet butterscotch and rich semi-sweet chocolate chips. Easy to make with simple pantry ingredients, these cookies are soft, flavorful, and irresistible, perfect for any occasion or craving.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup (150g) brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups (281g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Cream the Butter and Sugars: Beat the softened unsalted butter with both brown and granulated sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy. This incorporates air and creates a perfect chewy texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated. Then add vanilla extract to enhance the flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl for even distribution of leavening.
- Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep cookies tender.
- Fold in Butterscotch and Chocolate Chips: Carefully fold in both types of chips, distributing them evenly throughout the dough.
- Chill the Dough: Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes to meld flavors and reduce spreading during baking.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Scoop dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing evenly. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden and centers remain soft.
- Cool and Enjoy: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to set the chewy texture.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter for easier creaming and lighter cookies.
- Do not overmix the dough to avoid tough cookies.
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Chilling dough helps control spreading and intensifies flavors.
- Remove cookies from oven when edges are golden but centers are still soft for optimal chewiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: butterscotch cookies, chocolate chip cookies, chewy cookies, sweet treat, dessert, baking
