If you’re looking for a festive treat that’s both delightfully sweet and incredibly simple to make, these Easy Christmas Cookies with Butterscotch Recipe are an absolute must-try. Imagine bite-sized morsels bursting with rich butterscotch chips, backed by a soft buttery dough that melts in your mouth; these cookies perfectly capture the warmth and nostalgia of holiday baking without any fuss. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just getting started, this recipe will soon become your go-to treat to share with family and friends during the joyous Christmas season.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the ingredients for these cookies is a breeze, and each one plays a vital role in creating the perfect balance of texture and flavor. From the creamy butter that forms the dough’s base to the sweet burst of butterscotch chips, every item is both simple and essential.
- 1 cup softened butter: Soft butter ensures a tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie texture.
- 1/2 cup sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness and helps create a crisp edge.
- 1/2 cup brown sugar: Gives moisture and a subtle caramel flavor that complements butterscotch perfectly.
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract: Enhances the richness and adds a warm, aromatic note.
- 2 eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add softness.
- 2 1/4 cups flour: Provides structure, making sure the cookies hold their shape.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: A leavening agent that helps cookies rise just enough for a tender crumb.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies the overall flavor.
- 2 cups butterscotch chips: The star ingredient, delivering bursts of buttery, caramel goodness in every bite.
How to Make Easy Christmas Cookies with Butterscotch Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready to bake your cookies to perfection. No need to grease your baking sheet; the dough’s buttery nature helps them bake beautifully without sticking.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and creamy. This step is essential because it incorporates air, resulting in cookies that have a wonderful tender texture and just the right amount of chewiness.
Step 3: Add Vanilla and Eggs
Next, stir in the vanilla extract and eggs. These ingredients add moisture, flavor, and help combine the dough evenly, setting the stage for those luscious butterscotch pockets.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures these three crucial dry ingredients blend smoothly, avoiding any clumps that could affect texture or flavor.
Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing only until just combined. Avoid overmixing here; it’ll keep your cookies tender, not tough.
Step 6: Fold in Butterscotch Chips
Gently fold those glorious butterscotch chips into the dough. Every cookie will get a generous amount, ensuring each bite has that buttery sweetness everyone loves.
Step 7: Portion and Bake
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the ungreased baking sheet, spacing them enough so they don’t merge while baking. Bake for about 8 minutes, or until the edges just start turning a lovely golden color. The cookies might look a little soft in the center, but they’ll firm up perfectly as they cool.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Once out of the oven, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet briefly before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows them to set perfectly without breaking apart.
How to Serve Easy Christmas Cookies with Butterscotch Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra festive touch, sprinkle your cookies with a light dusting of powdered sugar or drizzle melted white chocolate over the tops. A few chopped pecans or walnuts add delightful crunch and a nutty contrast that pairs beautifully with the buttery notes of the butterscotch.
Side Dishes
These cookies shine on their own but pair wonderfully with a warm mug of spiced eggnog, hot cocoa, or even a creamy latte. Serving them alongside fresh fruit or a small cheese platter can turn your cookie break into a charming holiday gathering moment.
Creative Ways to Present
Get into the holiday spirit by arranging your cookies on a festive platter with holly sprigs or red ribbon accents. Packing them into clear cellophane bags tied with twine or colorful ribbons makes a heartfelt homemade gift that’s sure to be adored by anyone lucky enough to receive them.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Easy Christmas Cookies with Butterscotch Recipe fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Adding a slice of bread inside the container will help maintain moisture so your cookies stay soft and chewy.
Freezing
If you want to prepare these cookies ahead of time, freeze the unbaked dough balls on a parchment-lined tray. Once solid, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag and bake from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time. Baked cookies can also be frozen in a sealed container for up to three months without losing their tasty charm.
Reheating
Warm slightly stale cookies in a microwave for 10-15 seconds or pop them into a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes. This revives that fresh-baked softness with a delightful, just-out-of-the-oven aroma.
FAQs
Can I substitute the butterscotch chips with another type of chip?
Absolutely! While butterscotch chips are the heart of this recipe, white chocolate or butterscotch-flavored chunks can add a lovely twist. Just remember that changing chips will shift the flavor profile slightly.
Do these cookies need to be refrigerated?
Since the dough doesn’t contain perishable fillings, refrigeration is not necessary for storage. Just keep the baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain freshness.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that includes xanthan gum, you can enjoy these treats without gluten. Just ensure your baking soda and other ingredients are also gluten-free.
What’s the best way to prevent cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, and chill the dough for 15-20 minutes before baking. This helps control spreading and keeps the cookies thick and chewy.
How long do these cookies stay fresh?
Stored properly, these cookies stay fresh for up to a week at room temperature. If you want them even fresher, freezing baked cookies is a great option.
Final Thoughts
The joy of baking Easy Christmas Cookies with Butterscotch Recipe lies in its simplicity and the heartwarming flavors that fill your kitchen. These cookies are bound to become a treasured holiday classic, perfect for sharing laughter, love, and a little sweetness with those you care about. So go ahead, grab your ingredients, and let the festive baking festivities begin!
Print
Easy Christmas Cookies with Butterscotch Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Easy Christmas Cookies with Butterscotch are a delightful holiday treat featuring a soft, buttery cookie base loaded with sweet butterscotch chips. Perfect for festive gatherings, these cookies combine the comforting flavors of vanilla and brown sugar with a tender texture and a golden edge, making them a seasonal favorite that’s simple to prepare and sure to impress.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup softened butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Add-ins
- 2 cups butterscotch chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the cookies once the dough is prepared.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is creamy and smooth. Add vanilla extract and eggs to the bowl, mixing well to combine all wet ingredients thoroughly.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution of leavening and seasoning in the dough.
- Incorporate Dry Into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen the cookies.
- Add Butterscotch Chips: Gently fold in the butterscotch chips to evenly distribute them throughout the dough, giving each cookie bursts of sweet butterscotch flavor.
- Portion and Bake: Drop rounded tablespoons of the cookie dough onto an ungreased baking sheet, leaving enough space between each to allow for spreading. Bake in the preheated oven for about 8 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Cool Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet briefly before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they set properly and retain their texture.
Notes
- For softer cookies, take them out of the oven when edges are just lightly golden and centers still look slightly undercooked as they will firm up while cooling.
- You can substitute butterscotch chips with white chocolate or butterscotch morsels for a different variation.
- Use room temperature butter and eggs to achieve a smooth, well-combined dough.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or frozen for longer storage.
