Butterscotch Oatmeal Cookies (Soft and Chewy Recipe)
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
These butterscotch oatmeal cookies are tender, soft, and chewy with a touch of caramel-y sweetness. Make this oatmeal scotchies recipe for an easy sweet treat! You’ll love these golden brown chewy cookies!
The flavor of browned butter and caramelized sugar is packed into tiny baking chips that dot every one of these baked treats.
I’m obsessed with the butterscotch flavor and chewy texture of these cookies.
The next time that you are looking for the perfect cookies to make, this oatmeal cookie recipe needs to be at the top of your list.
And if you’re a huge butterscotch fan, just add that as an extra bonus!
As a side note, there are a lot of different ways that you can make this perfect treat.
The oatmeal cookie dough goes perfectly with sweet butterscotch chips, but you can also turn these chewy oatmeal scotchies into oatmeal raisin cookies as well!
Adding chocolate chips also makes the best oatmeal chocolate chip cookie recipe!
Forget about buying chewy oatmeal cookies from the grocery store, and make your own delicious flavor and batch of yummy treats at home!
Butterscotch Oatmeal Cookies
This oatmeal butterscotch cookies recipe will satisfy any sweet tooth while providing a break from the chocolate overload of so many dessert recipes.
Plus, you can have a batch of scotchies cookies ready in under 20 minutes!
Enjoy them fresh from the oven or pair a dozen with a few of your favorite cookie recipes for bake sales and swaps.
Not a fan of butterscotch? Try this air fryer cookie recipe made with apples and warm spices instead.
Looking to make desserts for your child’s party? My Percy Jackson’s blue chocolate chip cookies are a hit!
Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookie Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Use room temp ingredients. Softened butter is a must for cookie dough, but you should warm your eggs as well!
It helps them incorporate faster into the dough and with smoother results too.
Let them sit on the counter for about 30 minutes or in a bowl of warm (not hot) water for 5 to 10 minutes before starting the oatmeal butterscotch cookies recipe. - Swap out the flour. This oatmeal scotchies recipe can be made with either all-purpose or whole wheat flour.
- Line your baking sheets. Parchment paper (or a silpat mat) prevents sticking and makes cleaning up a breeze!
- Don’t overbake! These butterscotch oatmeal cookies can go from chewy to tough in an instant.
- Change the chocolate. Use white chocolate chips or semi-sweet to make oatmeal chocolate chip cookies!
Pull them from the oven just when the edges start to brown — they will continue baking as they cool.
Follow the recipe card below to make the best sweet cookie treat!
Add-Ins For Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookies
Chopped walnuts add a lovely crunch, and I sometimes like to toss in a handful or two of chocolate chips as well.
You could also mix a ½ teaspoon of cinnamon into the dry ingredients if you want a more spiced flavor.
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Baking Sheet lined with parchment paper or a silpat mat
- Stand mixer or large mixing bowl with hand mixer
- Mixing Bowls – I like to have a variety of sizes on hand, and this set has them all.
- 2 Tablespoon Scoop – Also great for meatballs, ice cream, and portioning out leftovers. I’ve had this set for years and use them all the time.
Butterscotch Oatmeal Cookies FAQ
Yes, but the texture will be different. Quick oats create more delicate scotchies cookies with a chewier bite. Rolled oats result in a heartier cookie since they hold their shape better.
Also, quick oats can cause the dough to cook faster. Keep a close eye on your oatmeal butterscotch cookies, so they don’t burn!
When this happens, it usually means the butter is too soft. You should be able to create an indent in the stick with your finger without pushing all the way through.
If your sticks are too soft, pop them back in the fridge before creaming them with the sugar. Or, chill the mixed dough for 10 to 15 minutes before baking.
Absolutely! Wrap the oatmeal scotchies dough tightly in plastic and place in a freezer-safe storage bag. Bake straight from the freezer, adding another minute or two to the baking time.
You can also freeze the baked butterscotch oatmeal cookies for up to 6 months! Cool completely before freezing and soften on the counter before serving.
Butterscotch Oatmeal Cookies (Soft and Chewy Recipe)
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, or vanilla bean paste
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 11 ounces butterscotch chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- 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.
- Using a 2 tablespoon scooper drop the dough onto a baking sheet, flatten cookie dough with palm of your hand.
- Bake for 10-11 minutes. Remove from the oven when cookies start to brown around the edges. 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. Serve warm or cooled. Cookies freeze well, as does the dough.
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published October 2011, updated and republished March 2024
Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link your price will remain the same and The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it helps us keep creating new recipes.
I to make cookies this weekend for some friends, these might be the winner!! I love butterscotch!
Oh I bet the butterscotch just takes these cookies to a whole new level. I love the idea! They look moist and chewy and simply YUMMY!
I'm so glad that you liked them! I love that we both have our blogs now, because it is SO much easier grabbing your recipes this way. Truly the ultimate recipe box.
Besides, if I didn't have your amazing fries to drool over every single day, I might start making them even more often!
These cookies look so yummy! Makes me want to have a bite!
If they're soft and chewy, my Mr. Rosemary will go for them. Saved!
I can go either way on butterscotch. But these look wonderful, soft and chewy.
Hello,
We bumped into your blog and we really liked it.
We would like to add it to the Petitchef.com.
We would be delighted if you could add your blog to Petitchef so that our users can, as us,
enjoy it.
Petitchef is a french based Cooking recipes Portal. Several hundred Blogs are already members
and benefit from their exposure on Petitchef.com.
To add your site to the Petitchef family you can use http://en.petitchef.com/?obj=front&action=site_ajout_form or just go to Petitchef.com and click on "Add your site"
Best regards,
petitchef.com
I love butterscotch and oatmeal…great combo.
Caramel and butterscotch are my favorite sweet things, like eat by the spoonful type of favorite (sigh).
Take care…
Made these last night and they were absolutely fabulous. I have been searching for a chewy recipe for ages! Well done 🙂
Goodness, these look awesome!
I can't wait to try these cookies for real! Yum!
Thanks for the recipe! Love your blog, soooo many recipes i want to try 😀 New follower for sure!
http://lovehomebird.blogspot.com/
Love love love these oatmeal cookies. The butterscotch gives them such a unique flavor.
This was so easy and your notes about the butter being too soft helped me understand. The timing note;
10 mins. to just beginning to brown around the edges. They are perfect and delicious. Hubby is scouting the kitchen right now, I see another batch coming up
I didn’t have butterscotch chips but I Caramel chips…..I tell you that everyone absolutely loves these cookies!!! They go crazy over them!!
My daughter asked me to bake some cookies for her Girl Scout leaders cookie exchange and I picked this one from my saved Pinterest recipes. They turned out so good! I will definitely be making more to go in my gift baskets for family and friends. Thank you for sharing and Merry Christmas! 🙂
Hi Cathy!
We’re so glad you enjoyed!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn
These butterscotch oatmeal cookies were a breeze to make and turned out incredibly delicious. Definitely a new favorite in my household.
Hi Sariah!
We’re so glad you enjoyed this recipe.
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn