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 then lightly dusted with sparkly sprinkles!
Butterscotch Cookie Recipe
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.
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!
Old Fashioned Butterscotch Cookies 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!
Butterscotch Cookie Recipe Ingredients
- 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!
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!
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.
How to make brown butter
- Start by melting the butter.
- Just swirl the butter around the pan. The solids of the butter cook faster and settle on the bottom of the pan.
- Remove from the heat.
- 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.
Tip 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.
Butterscotch Cookies
Steps to make Homemade Butterscotch Cookie Recipe
- measure out the dry ingredients, set aside
- cream together the butter and sugar
- add the egg and vanilla, mix again
- add the dry ingredients and mix to combine
- stir in the walnuts (if using)
- drop by teaspoons onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper
- bake for about 10 minutes, remove and allow to cool completely
- make the brown butter and the frosting
- frost the cookies and top with sprinkles if desired!
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!
Still have a sweet tooth? Here are more great cookies and treats!
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!!
Must have’s from my kitchen!
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- Kitchen
Aide Stand Mixer (orange of course!) - Pyrex 4-Piece Glass Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons – I love the shape of these because they fit into spice jars
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
Old Fashioned Butterscotch Cookie Recipe
Frosted Butterscotch Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 egg
- 3/4 tsp vanilla
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 1/3 cup flour
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 cup walnuts chopped (optional)
- Frosting
- 2/3 stick butter
- 2 tbsp vanilla
- 2 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp sprinkles (optional) I used iridescent sprinkles.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Measure out the dry ingredients together in a small bowl, set aside.
- Using a mixer, cream together the butter and sugar.
- Add the egg and vanilla, mix again until creamy.
- Add the dry ingredients and mix to combine, If using the nuts, stir them in at the end by hand.
- Drop by teaspoons onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, bake for about 10 minutes. Remove from pan and allow them to cool on a baking rack.
- 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
- 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.
