Introduction

These Best Ever Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies bring together the perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors. Loaded with butterscotch and chocolate chips, they offer a rich, chewy texture that’s irresistible. Whether for a cozy night in or sharing with friends, these cookies will quickly become a favorite.

This image shows close-up of several soft cookies on a white marbled surface. Each cookie has a golden beige dough base with slightly crispy edges. On top, there are two types of chips — dark brown chocolate chips and light orange butterscotch chips — scattered evenly and partly sunk into the dough. Some cookies have a few large salt crystals sprinkled on the surface, adding texture and shine. The cookies appear thick and chewy with cracked tops and visible melted chocolate and butterscotch chips. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

½ cup unsalted butter (straight from fridge or room temperature)
¼ cup brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (measured correctly)
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup butterscotch chips
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Sea salt sprinkles (for the sweet and salty vibe!)
Optional: walnuts

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 2: In a large bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together with an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth and fully combined with no chunks of butter.
Step 3: Add the egg and vanilla extract, then mix on low speed until just incorporated.
Step 4: Gradually add the flour, baking soda, and salt to the mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough.
Step 5: Fold in the butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, and any optional add-ins like walnuts, mixing gently until evenly distributed.
Step 6: Using a small or large ice cream scoop or a heaping tablespoon, drop the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing 6 to 8 per sheet depending on cookie size.
Step 7: Optionally, press a few extra butterscotch and chocolate chips onto the tops of each dough portion for a prettier finish.
Step 8: Bake one sheet at a time until the edges and bottoms are lightly browned and the tops feel firm when touched—about 8-10 minutes for medium (2 tbsp dough) or 10-13 minutes for large cookies (¼ cup dough).
Step 9: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
Step 10: While cooling, sprinkle sea salt over the cookies to enhance the sweet and salty flavor.

Tips & Variations

For a nutty twist, add chopped walnuts or pecans to the dough.
Make sure not to overmix the dough to keep the cookies tender and chewy.
For extra gooey cookies, bake slightly less time and allow them to finish setting on the baking sheet.
Swap half the all-purpose flour for whole wheat flour for a heartier texture.

Storage

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. To reheat, warm in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes or microwave for 10-15 seconds to regain softness.

How to Serve

A stack of three soft cookies sits on a wooden table, with the top cookie broken in half showing inside layers filled with dark brown melted chocolate chips and light brown butterscotch chips. The cookies are thick and golden beige with a slightly crispy edge and a chewy middle, dotted with semi-melted chocolate and butterscotch pieces that contrast against the dough. The background is blurred out, putting full focus on the cookies' texture and layers. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, you can use salted butter but reduce the added salt in the recipe to avoid the cookies becoming too salty.

Can I substitute the butterscotch chips with something else?

Absolutely! White chocolate chips or caramel bits are good alternatives that complement the chocolate well while keeping the sweet and rich profile.