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Home » Recipes » Cookies and Candy Recipes

Old Fashioned Butterscotch Cookie Recipe

Published: Sep 22, 2022 · Modified: Dec 23, 2022 by Bowl Me Over · 21 Comments

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Old Fashioned Butterscotch Cookie Recipe - Golden and crunchy on the outside, sweet, tender, and chewy inside. These cookies are smeared with homemade brown butter frosting and then lightly dusted with sparkly sprinkles! Homemade cookies are always a family favorite!

Next time try this recipe for Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies!

Butterscotch cookie on cooling rack with frosting.
Easy to make these butterscotch cookies are super sweet and so yummy!
Jump to:
  • Why you'll love this recipe   
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • 🔪 Equipment
  • Tips
  • Variations
  • Storage
  • Serving suggestions
  • More delicious cookie recipes
  • Best Butterscotch Cookies

Why you'll love this recipe   

Remember the butterscotch lifesavers you'd get as a kid? This is the cookie version! I know you're going to love them!

This old fashioned Butterscotch Cookie Recipe is melt-in-your-mouth tender and super sweet!

What makes these cookies unique in comparison to other recipes for butterscotch cookies is the brown butter frosting. It really takes them over the top!

Hand holding a frosted cookie and a bite has been taken from the cookie.
Old Fashioned Chewy Butterscotch Cookies Recipe

Ingredients

You'll only need a handful of basic ingredients. For the exact measurements, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

  • butter - I use unsalted butter
  • brown sugar - will add to the caramel flavor
  • vanilla - for flavoring
  • flour - all-purpose flour works great for this recipe
  • walnuts - nuts are optional, but I love the flavor and crunch
  • baking soda - leavener of choice
  • egg - to add moisture and richness in the cookies
  • powdered sugar - for the frosting!
  • sprinkles - optional yes, but they sure are pretty!

Instructions

  1. Measure out the dry ingredients in a large bowl, and set aside.
  2. Cream together the butter and sugar.
  3. Add the wet ingredients, egg, and vanilla, and mix again.
  4. Add the dry ingredients and mix to combine, scraping the sides of the bowl.
  5. Stir in the walnuts (if using).
  6. Drop cookie dough by teaspoons onto an ungreased cookie sheet or baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  7. Bake cookies for about 10 minutes, remove and allow to cool completely.
  8. Make the brown butter and the frosting.
  9. Add the amazing brown butter frosting to the top of each cookie. Finish with sprinkles if desired!

How to make brown butter

It took me a bit to make the brown butter for the frosting (which is what makes the frosting really tasty!). I had to scrap my butter twice and start over, so I'm hoping with good directions I'll save you that work (and the extra butter!)

Let me walk you thru the process.

  1. Start with the melted butter.
  2. Just swirl the butter around the pan. The solids of the butter cook faster and settle on the bottom of the pan.
  3. Remove from the heat.
  4. Pour the liquid away, keeping the solids on the bottom of the pan. If necessary use cheesecloth to strain the butter.

Here's the deal, the solid won't taste bad, but it will give the frosting a grainy texture and I did not like that.

🔪 Equipment

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

  • This is the stand mixer I have - it's seven years old and I'm pretty sure it will last for another 20 years.
  • A set of measuring cups and measuring spoons as well.

Tips

To make soft chewy cookies always use real butter, do not use margarine. Using brown sugar instead of white sugar makes for chewy thicker cookies as well.

Using a small cookie scoop will help keep the cookies uniform in size. That way they are all done at the same time as well.

Use light brown sugar for soft tender cookies. Dark brown sugar makes soft chewy cookies as well but will add more complexity in flavor to the cookies.

Make sure your ingredients aren't expired.

Eggs should be at room temperature.

  • Tips to make brown butter - Use a light-colored pan because as the butter goes from yellow to golden, to a toasty brown you'll be able to see the color change better.
  • It can go from golden brown to burnt in an instant - keep an eye on it and don't leave it unattended.
Close up of Butterscotch cookie.
Sweet brown sugar cookies topped with a brown butter frosting!

Variations

Make Butterscotch Chip Cookies by adding 1 cup butterscotch chips to the cookie dough will give it a deep butterscotch flavor!

Adding a cup of chocolate chips to the dough turns these into. Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies - AMAZING!

Storage

  • Refrigerate - store cookies in an air-tight container or cover with plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
  • Freeze - store in an airtight freezer bag, cookies can be frozen up to three months.

Serving suggestions

Easy enough, right? When they are frosted, promptly hide them from other family members.

Wait... did I just write that? Seriously they are quite tasty and won't last long!

Enjoy a cookie with a sip of Confetti Hot Chocolate - the perfect decadent combination!

Coffee, tea or cold glass of milk would be fantastic as well!

More delicious cookie recipes

  • Another super tender soft cookie is this recipe for brown sugar cookies - filled with jam, they are decadent and delicious!
  • Fill your cookie jar with Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies - these cookies are perfect for an after-school snack.
  • This recipe for Chocolate Covered Cashews is simple and delicious. They are a great make-ahead treat and will last several months in the freezer.
  • Gumdrop Cookies are another old fashioned classic cookie, I dare you to eat just one!
  • Festive shortbread cookies drizzled with white chocolate and dunked in confetti sprinkles - amazing!
  • Prefer chewy oatmeal cookies? Then give this recipe a try!

Or if you'd like to try something other than a cookie, be sure to try this Butterscotch Pudding Dessert, my goodness it's delicious!

Have I talked you into trying these? I sure hope so! If you post a picture on social media, be sure to tag me with #bowlmeover or on Instagram with @bowl_me_over! Love to see your tasty creations!!

And if you love these Grandma's tasty butterscotch cookie recipe as much as we do, be sure to comment below with a five star rating. I know that will make Grandma happy (and me too!)! <3

Frosted Butterscotch Cookies on baking rack.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
5 from 13 votes

Best Butterscotch Cookies

Tender chewy cookies slathered with butter scotching frosting. This easy recipe is a real sweet treat!
Prevent your screen from going dark
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time10 minutes mins
Total Time25 minutes mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 24 cookies
Calories: 172kcal
Author: Deb Clark
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup butter
  • 1 egg
  • ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ⅔ cup brown sugar
  • 1 ⅓ cup flour
  • ¾ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ cup walnuts chopped (optional)
  • Frosting
  • ⅔ stick butter
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla
  • 2 ⅓ cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons sprinkles (optional) I used iridescent sprinkles.

I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Measure the dry ingredients together in a small bowl. Combine flour mixture, set aside.
  • Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar.
  • Add the egg and vanilla, mix again until creamy.
  • In a medium bowl, add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix to combine, If using the nuts, stir them in at the end by hand. 
  • Drop the cookie dough balls by teaspoons onto the prepared baking sheet lined with parchment paper, bake for about 10 minutes.
  • Remove from sheet pan and transfer to a wire rack. Cool to room temperature.
  • For the frosting - When the cookies are done baking, make the brown butter. Brown slightly.
  • Using a stand mixer, beat the vanilla and powdered sugar. Slowly add the brown butter. Beat until light and fluffy.
  • Frost the cookies and dust with sprinkles if desired

Notes

Tips to make brown butter
  • Although you may be tempted to use margarine, be sure to use real butter. That's where you get your butterscotch flavor! Plus that's what Grandma always said and she always knew what she was talking about! 🙂
  • Use a light-colored pan because as the butter goes from yellow to golden, to a toasty brown you'll be able to see the color change better.
  • The butter can go from golden brown to burnt in an instant - keep an eye on it and don't leave it unattended.

Nutrition

Calories: 172kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 100mg | Potassium: 30mg | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 205IU | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 0.5mg
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I was looking thru our family cookbook again and searching for cookie recipes. Dan was in the mood for a little something sweet so I thought I'd give Grandma's Old Fashioned Frosted Butterscotch Cookie Recipe a try.

Long story short.... glad I did! 😋

I've had a lot of fun going thru this cookbook! My Aunt Mary Lou put it together several years ago and it brings back the best childhood memories!

She gave me Grandma's notes for all of the recipes also, which makes it that much more fun to read. (Does anyone else read a cookbook or is it just me?)

Adding tried and true recipes to the blog to share with you has been such an honor! So far I have Persimmon Cookies, Homemade Pecan Sandies, Moonpie Cookies and Butter Cookies. Can you pick a favorite? I know I can't!

Updated Sep 8, 2021 to improve instructions.

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About Bowl Me Over

Welcome to Bowl Me Over! My name is Debra and I send warm greetings from sunny California. I am a serious foodie – I’ve been known as the go-to girl in our family for years, catering weddings and anniversary parties. In the summer I help cook mountains of food for our family reunions. Often times things I create end up in a bowl, hence the name Bowl Me Over! Let's stay connected, you can email me at [email protected] and find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nikki Lee

    June 12, 2019 at 5:31 am

    5 stars
    My kids loved these! Home for the summer and always wanting a sweet treat! These were perfect!

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      June 13, 2019 at 3:12 pm

      How wonderful, I'm so glad you gave these a try!! I'm glad the kids loved them Nikki!!

      Reply
  2. Jennifer A Stewart

    June 11, 2019 at 5:42 pm

    5 stars
    butterscotch is one of my favorite flavors! I love mixing butterscotch and chocolate in my cookies but this frosting is changing my mind!

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      June 13, 2019 at 3:14 pm

      Can't go wrong with butterscotch and chocolate - love that idea!! 😀 Thanks Jennifer!!

      Reply
  3. Kylee

    June 11, 2019 at 6:55 am

    5 stars
    I read cookbooks in bed like they're novels. hehe. I have an old family recipe book that was my grandmother's - and love going through and seeing her handwriting and notes!

    This cookie recipe is a keeper. My kids loved them!

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      June 13, 2019 at 3:16 pm

      We're two of a kind Kylee, I do the same thing!! I'm glad the kids enjoyed the cookies!!

      Reply
  4. Angela

    June 10, 2019 at 5:39 pm

    5 stars
    Now this I NEED to try!!! Butterscotch cookies... they sound so perfect and truly special being a family recipe. Thanks so much for sharing

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      June 13, 2019 at 3:17 pm

      You're welcome Angela, enjoy!!!

      Reply
  5. michele

    June 09, 2019 at 10:07 pm

    5 stars
    Brown butter frosting is an art! Ive often failed when making it but when I saw your helpful hints I gave your recipe to my niece to make for her cookies! They turned out beautifully! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      June 13, 2019 at 3:20 pm

      Yay!!! So glad you enjoyed this recipe Michele!

      Reply
  6. Julie Menghini

    June 09, 2019 at 6:08 pm

    5 stars
    You know how I love old family recipes! I can't wait to try these cookies! They look warm and flavorful and iced is a bonus!

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      June 13, 2019 at 3:21 pm

      Family recipes are the BEST I totally agree - enjoy Julie!

      Reply
  7. Sandra Shaffer

    June 09, 2019 at 4:30 pm

    5 stars
    That frosting is amazing! I can already smell that brown butter cooking up. Can't wait to make these cookies for my nephews - they'll love that butterscotch flavor.

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      June 13, 2019 at 3:24 pm

      I hope they really enjoy them - thank you for stopping by Sandra!!

      Reply
  8. Madi

    June 09, 2019 at 1:45 pm

    5 stars
    I need to make a batch of these cookies asap! Butterscotch is so good!

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      June 13, 2019 at 3:28 pm

      Most definitely, enjoy Madi!!

      Reply
  9. debi at Life Currents

    June 08, 2019 at 6:12 am

    5 stars
    These cookies sound so good. Such a classic flavor! And that frosting - swoon! It sounds amazing!

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      June 13, 2019 at 3:29 pm

      Thanks Debi!!!

      Reply
  10. Liza

    June 05, 2019 at 10:39 am

    5 stars
    Oh, no wonder these are your family favourite! These sound amazing! I must make them and I know my family will love it too!!!!

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      June 13, 2019 at 3:31 pm

      I hope they really enjoy them Liza!

      Reply
  11. Liza

    July 26, 2018 at 3:50 am

    5 stars
    These cookies sound like the best out-of-childhood anytime treat! I know that I MUST make them, they look so good! Thank you!

    Reply

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