Best Ever Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies (with Sea Salt) – Sweet, Salty, Soft & Chewy Perfection
If there were ever a cookie that could stop time with just one bite, it would be these Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies with Sea Salt. Loaded with melty semisweet chocolate, rich butterscotch chips, and finished with a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt, these cookies strike the perfect balance between sweet, salty, chewy, and crispy.
They’ve got all the elements of a classic chocolate chip cookie, elevated by deep caramel notes from the butterscotch and a hint of gourmet flair thanks to sea salt. Whether you're baking for a holiday, a gathering, or just your own joy (because you deserve a perfect cookie), this is the recipe you’ll want to keep forever.
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Ingredients
🥚 Fresh
- 1 large egg
🧂 Dry & Flavoring
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp fine salt
- ¼ cup brown sugar packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 pinch flaky sea salt for topping
🍫 Mix-Ins
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
🧈 Dairy
- ½ cup 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
- Optional: extra chips for pressing on top after baking for that “bakery look”
Instructions
🔥 Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
- Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats
🧈 Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
- In a large bowl, beat:
- ½ cup softened butter
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- Cream until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes) using a hand or stand mixer
🥚 Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
- Beat in:
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Mix until smooth and well combined
🥣 Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together:
- 1½ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- Slowly add dry ingredients to wet, mixing until just combined
- Do not overmix – this keeps your cookies tender!
🍫 Step 5: Fold in Chips
- Fold in:
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- Save a few chips for pressing on top before baking, if desired
🍪 Step 6: Scoop and Chill (Optional)
- Scoop 2-tbsp portions onto baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart
- Optional but recommended: chill dough for 20–30 minutes for thicker, richer cookies
🔥 Step 7: Bake
- Bake for 9–11 minutes, or until:
- Edges are golden
- Centers still look slightly underdone (they’ll continue baking on the sheet)
- Immediately sprinkle tops with flaky sea salt
❄️ Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes
- Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely (or eat warm with milk 😋)
Notes
🍴 Serving Suggestions
Serve with a cold glass of milk or espresso Sandwich with vanilla ice cream for butterscotch cookie ice cream sandwiches Dunk in hot cocoa or coffee Drizzle with caramel sauce for extra indulgence 🧑🍳 Variations
Dark Chocolate Version: Use 70% dark chocolate chunks Nutty Twist: Add ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts Espresso Infusion: Add ½ tsp instant espresso powder to the dough Gluten-Free: Substitute 1:1 gluten-free flour blend Brown Butter: Brown the butter before using for even deeper flavor 🧊 Storage & Freezing
Room Temp:
Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days Freezer:
Freeze dough balls on a tray, then transfer to a bag for up to 3 months Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months, separated by parchment Reheat:
Microwave cookies for 10 seconds for that fresh-out-the-oven feel ❓ 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use salted butter?
Yes—just reduce added salt to ¼ tsp 2. Do I need to chill the dough?
Not mandatory, but it enhances flavor and prevents spreading 3. Can I use white sugar only?
You can, but brown sugar adds moisture and caramel depth 4. What’s the purpose of sea salt on top?
It balances the sweetness and adds a gourmet touch 5. How do I keep them soft?
Store with a slice of bread or apple to maintain softness 6. Can I make these egg-free?
Try using 1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water (flax egg) 7. Why are my cookies too flat?
Check that butter wasn’t melted and the dough wasn’t overmixed 8. Can I use toffee chips instead of butterscotch?
Absolutely! It’ll add crunch and buttery flavor 9. Are these cookies chewy or crispy?
Soft and chewy in the center with crisp edges 10. What if I want thicker cookies?
Chill the dough for longer (30–60 minutes) and bake slightly taller mounds 📝 Conclusion
These Best Ever Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies with Sea Salt are everything you want in a cookie—soft and chewy, full of sweet and salty contrast, and studded with pools of chocolate and caramel-butterscotch goodness. They’re easy to make, perfect for sharing (or not), and guaranteed to become a household favorite. For more creative cookie recipes and dessert mashups, visit recipeservice.net, where home baking meets irresistible flavor.
Serve with a cold glass of milk or espresso Sandwich with vanilla ice cream for butterscotch cookie ice cream sandwiches Dunk in hot cocoa or coffee Drizzle with caramel sauce for extra indulgence 🧑🍳 Variations
Dark Chocolate Version: Use 70% dark chocolate chunks Nutty Twist: Add ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts Espresso Infusion: Add ½ tsp instant espresso powder to the dough Gluten-Free: Substitute 1:1 gluten-free flour blend Brown Butter: Brown the butter before using for even deeper flavor 🧊 Storage & Freezing
Room Temp:
Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days Freezer:
Freeze dough balls on a tray, then transfer to a bag for up to 3 months Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months, separated by parchment Reheat:
Microwave cookies for 10 seconds for that fresh-out-the-oven feel ❓ 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use salted butter?
Yes—just reduce added salt to ¼ tsp 2. Do I need to chill the dough?
Not mandatory, but it enhances flavor and prevents spreading 3. Can I use white sugar only?
You can, but brown sugar adds moisture and caramel depth 4. What’s the purpose of sea salt on top?
It balances the sweetness and adds a gourmet touch 5. How do I keep them soft?
Store with a slice of bread or apple to maintain softness 6. Can I make these egg-free?
Try using 1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water (flax egg) 7. Why are my cookies too flat?
Check that butter wasn’t melted and the dough wasn’t overmixed 8. Can I use toffee chips instead of butterscotch?
Absolutely! It’ll add crunch and buttery flavor 9. Are these cookies chewy or crispy?
Soft and chewy in the center with crisp edges 10. What if I want thicker cookies?
Chill the dough for longer (30–60 minutes) and bake slightly taller mounds 📝 Conclusion
These Best Ever Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies with Sea Salt are everything you want in a cookie—soft and chewy, full of sweet and salty contrast, and studded with pools of chocolate and caramel-butterscotch goodness. They’re easy to make, perfect for sharing (or not), and guaranteed to become a household favorite. For more creative cookie recipes and dessert mashups, visit recipeservice.net, where home baking meets irresistible flavor.