Best Ever Butterscotch Chocolate Chip

Featured in: Sweet & Toasted Treats

These chewy cookies blend rich butterscotch chips and semisweet chocolate chips, enhanced by a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for a delightful sweet and salty contrast. Easy to prepare with straightforward mixing and baking steps, they yield soft edges with a slightly golden finish. Optional walnuts add a nutty crunch, while tips like browning butter bring depth to the flavor. Perfect for sharing or indulging, they keep fresh for several days when stored properly.

Updated on Sun, 23 Nov 2025 12:11:00 GMT
Warm Best Ever Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies with sea salt, perfectly browned and ready to enjoy. Save
Warm Best Ever Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies with sea salt, perfectly browned and ready to enjoy. | smokyfeast.com

These irresistibly chewy cookies combine rich butterscotch and semisweet chocolate chips, finished with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for the perfect sweet-and-salty bite. Easy to make and impossible to resist!

I have made these cookies for numerous family gatherings and every time they disappear quickly thanks to their irresistible taste and texture.

Ingredients

  • Unsalted butter: ½ cup (113 g), at room temperature or straight from the fridge
  • Brown sugar: ¼ cup (50 g), packed
  • Granulated sugar: ½ cup (100 g)
  • Egg: 1 large
  • Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
  • All-purpose flour: 1½ cups (195 g)
  • Baking soda: 1 teaspoon
  • Salt: ½ teaspoon
  • Butterscotch chips: 1 cup (170 g), use less if desired for less sweetness
  • Semisweet chocolate chips: 1 cup (170 g)
  • Chopped walnuts: ½ cup (55 g), optional
  • Flaky sea salt: for sprinkling

Instructions

Preheat oven:
Set the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Mix wet ingredients:
Beat together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar with an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth and creamy with no butter lumps remaining.
Add egg and vanilla:
Mix on low speed until just combined.
Mix dry ingredients:
Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl.
Combine mixtures:
Add dry ingredients to wet mixture and mix until just incorporated—do not overmix.
Fold in mix-ins:
Gently fold in butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, and optional walnuts.
Portion dough:
Use a large ice cream scoop (¼ cup dough for large cookies) or heaping tablespoon (2 tablespoons for medium cookies) to drop dough onto prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie. Press a few extra chips onto dough tops if desired.
Bake:
Bake one sheet at a time: medium cookies (2 tbsp dough) bake 8–10 minutes; large cookies (¼ cup dough) bake 10–13 minutes. Cookies are done when edges are lightly golden and tops are just set.
Cool and finish:
Cool cookies on baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to wire rack to cool completely. While warm, sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
Store:
Keep in airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
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These cookies always bring smiles when shared, making every family gathering sweeter and more memorable.

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, milk (in chips and butter), and optional tree nuts (walnuts). Check all labels for chips and flavorings for potential allergens.

Nutritional Information

Per large cookie (approx): 260 calories, 13 g total fat, 34 g carbohydrates, 3 g protein.

Storage Tips

Cookies freeze well baked or as unbaked dough balls for later baking convenience.

Close-up of golden Best Ever Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies, showing melty chocolate and sea salt. Save
Close-up of golden Best Ever Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies, showing melty chocolate and sea salt. | smokyfeast.com

These tips elevate the cookie experience and make the baking process even more rewarding.

Kitchen Questions

What gives these cookies their chewy texture?

The combination of brown and granulated sugars along with gentle mixing helps retain moisture, resulting in a chewy texture.

Can I substitute walnuts with other nuts?

Yes, pecans are a great alternative, or you can omit nuts entirely for a nut-free version without affecting the texture much.

How does the flaky sea salt enhance these cookies?

A sprinkle of flaky sea salt adds a contrast that heightens the sweetness and brings out the chocolate and butterscotch flavors.

Is browning the butter necessary?

Not necessary, but browning the butter adds a rich, nutty undertone that deepens the overall flavor.

How should I know when the cookies are done baking?

Cookies are ready when the edges are lightly golden and the tops are just set but still soft to the touch.

Best Ever Butterscotch Chocolate Chip

Chewy butterscotch and chocolate chip with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for a sweet-and-salty bite.

Prep duration
10 min
Heat time
13 min
Complete duration
23 min
Created by Jackson Reed


Skill Level Easy

Heritage American

Output 12 Portions

Nutrition Labels Meat-Free

What You'll Need

Wet Ingredients

01 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled or room temperature
02 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
03 1/2 cup granulated sugar
04 1 large egg
05 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

01 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 1 teaspoon baking soda
03 1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix-Ins

01 1 cup butterscotch chips
02 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
03 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Finishing

01 Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling

Method

Phase 01

Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Phase 02

Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy with no lumps.

Phase 03

Incorporate Egg and Vanilla: Add egg and vanilla extract; mix on low speed until just combined.

Phase 04

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.

Phase 05

Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet: Add dry ingredients to wet mixture and mix until just incorporated, avoiding overmixing.

Phase 06

Fold in Mix-Ins: Gently fold in butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, and walnuts if using.

Phase 07

Portion Dough: Using a 1/4-cup scoop for large cookies or 2 tablespoons for medium cookies, drop dough onto prepared sheets, spacing apart. Optionally, press extra chips onto tops.

Phase 08

Bake Cookies: Bake one sheet at a time: medium cookies for 8–10 minutes; large cookies for 10–13 minutes. Cookies are done when edges are lightly golden and tops set.

Phase 09

Cool and Finish: Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack. While warm, sprinkle with flaky sea salt.

Phase 10

Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 5 days.

Kitchen Tools

  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric mixer
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Ice cream scoop or tablespoon
  • Wire rack

Allergy Details

Always review ingredients for potential allergens and seek professional medical guidance if unsure.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, milk (in butter and chips), and optional tree nuts (walnuts). Check labels for allergen information.

Nutrition Details (per portion)

Values shown are estimates only - please consult healthcare providers for specific advice.
  • Energy: 260
  • Fats: 13 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Proteins: 3 g