Butterscotch Cookies
Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookies that stay soft and chewy for days are an instant favorite with everyone who tastes them. Soft, chewy oatmeal cookies and butterscotch chips are a perfect match. After several requests for this recipe, I am finally posting it.
If you are a family member and you’ve been waiting ever since our summer camping trip, well, what can I say? Sometimes, I get distracted by chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate!
It’s high time I show some love to my butterscotch desserts and share them with you!
Oatmel Butterscotch Cookie Recipe
Chewy oatmeal and butterscotch chips are always a delicious combination in a cookie. (I have since discovered that these cookies are also called Oatmeal Scotchies. Cute name, right?) I have made these cookies numerous times in the past and they are always a hit.
I love oatmeal cookies but I do NOT love a dry tough oatmeal cookie. Some oatmeal cookie recipes taste great fresh from the oven but get hard and crunchy the next day.
There’s nothing wrong with a crunchy cookie. (Crunchy Brownie Crisps are an all time favorite around here.) But I like my oatmeal butterscotch cookies nice and soft.
With this recipe, the cookies always stay perfectly chewy, sweet and delicious even days later. Not that they usually even last that long!
Whole Wheat Cookies
Want a cookie with a little more fiber? Usually, I make my butterscotch cookies with standard all purpose flour. This time, I made these cookies with 100% fresh whole wheat and I didn’t notice even a slight difference in the taste or texture.
I’ve noticed that whole wheat combined with oatmeal is a great combination when converting my recipes over to 100% whole wheat instead of AP (all-purpose) flour.The taste of the oatmeal pairs so well with the slightly stronger whole wheat flavor. Both all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour work well in this recipe!
If you’re looking for a great gluten-free oatmeal cookie, try these Soft and Chewy Oatmeal Cookies, swap the chocolate for butterscotch chips and you just might have a new favorite. These Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies are perfect for the chocolate lover and I’m betting that you won’t be able to eat just one or two.
Coconut Lover’s Oatmeal Cookies are a dream dessert for anyone who loves coconut. We also can’t get enough of these Cranberry Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies, especially at Christmas time. That combo of sweet chocolate and tart cranberries is to die for.
You’re also sure to like Orange Spice Oatmeal Cookies and my go-to classic Soft and Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. Enjoyed with a cup of coffee or an ice cold glass of milk, oatmeal cookies make everything better.
For more great oatmeal desserts, check out these Healthy Strawberry Oatmeal Bars, Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Carmelitas, No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Coconut Bites, and Cranberry Oatmeal Yogurt Bars.
Can you tell we REALLY like baking with oatmeal around here? From breakfast to dessert, it’s a favorite ingredient for sure.
How to Make Butterscotch Oatmeal Cookies
These cookies get their butterscotch flavor from a generous helping of butterscotch chips. This is a classic cookie recipe that starts (like many of the best things in life) by beating together butter and sugar.
After adding eggs and vanilla, you add your dry ingredients in batches. Then, add the butterscotch chips, drop onto cookie sheets, bake and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
These finished cookies freeze beautifully. Let the cookies cool completely before placing them in an airtight container or freezer bag in the freezer.
You can also make the oatmeal cookie dough ahead of time and freeze it for later. When I bake these cookies straight from the freezer I allow an extra minute or so of baking time.
Be careful not to over bake the cookies. An overdone cookie gets hard and tough and these are supposed to be chewy oatmeal cookies! The cookies may still look underdone when you take them out but remember they will continue cooking on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes.
Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookies are soft, chewy and delicious treats with butterscotch chips in every bite. I hope you like this family favorite as much as we all do!
Kitchen Tip: I use this baking sheet, this scoop, and these cooling racks to make this recipe.
Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookies
Soft and Chewy Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookies
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup butter softened
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour *
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 2/3 cups approximately 11 oz butterscotch chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, beat the butter until smooth and almost fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the sugars and continue beating until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 4-5 minutes. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat until smooth again.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together all of the dry ingredients except the butterscotch chips. Gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients, half at a time. Stir until fully combined. Add the butterscotch chips and stir well.
- I used a medium size cookie scoop (about a tablespoon in size) to drop the dough onto a large baking sheet lined with a silpat mat. Bake for 8-9 minutes. Remove from the oven before the cookies are browned and when they still look soft in the center. Let them cool on the same tray for 5-10 minutes; this will allow them to finish baking without overcooking.
- When the cookies are firm enough to handle, transfer them to a wire cooling rack and let cool completely. The finished cookies freeze well and the dough also freezes well. When I am baking the cookie dough straight from the freezer, I allow a few extra minutes for the baking.
Notes
{originally published 9/14/11 – recipe notes and photos updated 5/31/17}
Donna says
I am wanting to try this recipe but was wondering if it would work out in a 9×13 type pan instead of cookies? Like a brownie type cookie?
Mary Younkin says
I haven’t tried that myself, Donna, but I am guessing that it will work. I’d just watch the baking time to make sure that the bars don’t overcook.
Margaret says
That’s my mother’s recipe, although, she also added coconut.
Mary Younkin says
I bet these are delicious with coconut, Margaret!
Dave says
I also use coconut and add chopped walnuts for a little crunch with such a chewy cookie! Deliciously addictive!
Mary Younkin says
I bet that combination is delicious, Dave!
Faith says
These always come out great when I make them but it has been a while since the last time I baked them. Do you use salted or unsalted butter? I think i used salted butter but im not sure
Mary Younkin says
I use salted butter in all my recipes, Faith.
Joy says
In place of the silpat mat, what is my other options?
Mary Younkin says
Hi Joy, parchment paper works beautifully.
Sandy says
How many cookies do you get in a batch
Mary Younkin says
There are 24 cookies in a batch, Sandy.
Nonie says
Can I use instant oats.
Mary Younkin says
I don’t recommend that, Nonie.
DL says
This recipe is a keeper!! Added pecans just for fun but but really didn’t need them. Great cookie. Thanks!❤️
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you’re enjoying the cookies!
Orlanda M Gibson says
Yes hi. Why did my cookies come out Completely flat? What did I do wrong?
Mary Younkin says
I have no idea, Orlanda. There are any number of factors that can affect baking recipes. Without being in your kitchen with you, it’s difficult to even guess. Did you substitute any ingredients?
Kelsey says
Growing up, these were always my favorite. Since I was diagnosed with celiac disease in the last couple years, finding a good cookie was always a challenge…but these are literally the best cookies ever. I have made them a few times (with all purpose gluten-free flour of course) and they always come out great! Thank you for sharing!
Mary Younkin says
I’m thrilled that you like them so much, Kelsey.
Judy B says
My favorites have orange zest in them. So yummy with the butterscotch!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad you like the cookies, Judy.
Marissa says
I’m guessing you using a fan forced oven. Will try to bake it soon. Thanks for the recipe.
Mary Younkin says
I’ve used electric, gas, and convection ovens, Marissa.
Janet Wheating says
Hello,
My husband can’t eat eggs, is there something you would recommend as a substitute? I usually use apple sauce or bananas.
Thank you.
Janet
Mary Younkin says
Hey Janet, anything you’ve used as an egg substitute in the past should work in this recipe. I’ve never tried it with apple sauce or bananas myself.
Annette Deets says
Made these this weekend. THEY WERE AMAZING!! Thank you for sharing the recipe!
Mary Younkin says
I’m thrilled that you like the cookies so much, Annette.
Mary May says
could caramel bits be substituted??
Mary Younkin says
That should work fine, Mary.