Peanut Butter Butterscotch and Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

If you are searching for a cookie that combines rich peanut butter, luscious butterscotch, and melty chocolate chips in one divine bite, you have found it. This Peanut Butter Butterscotch and Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is everything you crave when you want a soft, chewy, and flavorful treat that just melts in your mouth. The balance of salty and sweet flavors makes these cookies irresistibly good, perfect for sharing with friends or savoring solo with a glass of milk. Trust me, once you make this recipe, it will become a beloved classic you’ll want to bake again and again.

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients are straightforward, familiar, and essential to create the perfect texture and taste in this cookie. Each one plays a key role in delivering that irresistible chewiness, sweetness, and rich flavor you expect from a top-tier cookie.

• 1 cup salted butter (softened): Adds moisture and richness, ensuring a tender crumb and perfect spreading during baking.
• 1 cup brown sugar (packed): Gives deep, caramel notes that complement the butterscotch chips brilliantly.
• 3/4 cup white sugar: Balances sweetness and helps create that classic cookie crisp edge.
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter: Brings a nutty, smooth flavor that pairs wonderfully with both chocolate and butterscotch.
• 2 large eggs: Provide structure and moisture, helping bind all ingredients together flawlessly.
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Enhances all the sweetness and adds depth to every bite.
• 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled): Forms the base of the dough, giving these cookies their soft but sturdy texture.
• 2 teaspoons baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and spread evenly.
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies the overall flavors.
• 2 cups dark chocolate chips (divided): Provides bursts of rich chocolate that melt perfectly inside the cookie.
• 2 cups butterscotch chips (11-ounce package, divided): Adds that unique creamy sweetness that’s impossible to resist.

How to Make Peanut Butter Butterscotch and Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter Until Smooth

Start by beating the softened butter for two minutes until it’s silky smooth. Scraping the bowl often is crucial for even mixing and ensures your dough won’t have any lumps. This step lays the creamy foundation for your cookies’ texture.

Step 2: Add Sugars and Beat Until Fluffy

Next, incorporate the brown sugar and white sugar. Beat for another two minutes to get a light, fluffy consistency with no visible butter chunks. This step is what helps your cookies gain lift and a tender crumb.

Step 3: Mix in the Creamy Peanut Butter

Adding the peanut butter now infuses the dough with that signature nutty flavor and a velvety texture that’ll make every bite rich and delightful.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until fully combined, scrapping the sides and bottom to make sure everything blends evenly, building the dough’s structure and boosting flavor.

Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients Gently

Measure out the flour carefully (spoon and level for accuracy), then stir in baking soda and kosher salt. Add this to the wet mixture and beat gently to avoid overmixing — you want some flour streaks to preserve a soft, chewy texture.

Step 6: Fold in Chopped Chocolate and Chips

Chop one cup of dark chocolate chips by hand for texture variation, then mix them into the dough along with the remaining whole chocolate chips and most of the butterscotch chips. Keep a few butterscotch chips on the side to press on top of the cookies before baking for an irresistible finish.

Step 7: Chill the Dough

Cover your dough and chill it in the fridge for at least one hour, up to 3 hours or overnight. While you can bake right away, chilling helps achieve thicker, fudgier cookies with a better shape.

Step 8: Prepare to Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with either silicone mats or parchment paper. Proper lining will ensure the cookies don’t stick and bake evenly.

Step 9: Scoop the Dough

Use a 2-inch cookie scoop to form perfect dough balls, placing them about two inches apart on your sheets. This gives your cookies room to spread without crowding.

Step 10: Bake Until Just Set

Bake for 10 to 11 minutes until the edges are light brown and crisp but the centers remain shiny and slightly underdone—this is the secret to fudgy, chewy cookies.

Step 11: Shape Your Cookies Immediately

Right out of the oven, gently push the edges towards the center using two spoons. This trick creates a thicker, chewier cookie with a perfectly round shape and gooey fudge-like middle.

Step 12: Add Reserved Chips

If you saved any butterscotch or dark chocolate chips, press them onto the cookie tops while still warm for an attractive, melty finish.

Step 13: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for five minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. They are absolutely heavenly warm—be sure to enjoy at least one or maybe sneak a few more before they disappear!

How to Serve Peanut Butter Butterscotch and Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

These cookies shine on their own, but for extra flair, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt or drizzle melted chocolate over the top right after baking. A dusting of powdered sugar also looks charming and adds that little extra touch of sweetness.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a cold glass of milk, a cup of freshly brewed coffee, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert experience. Their rich flavors complement creamy or cold beverages beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange these cookies on a rustic wooden board with a variety of nuts and fresh berries for a crowd-pleasing dessert platter. Or stack them between parchment paper in a pretty tin for a gift that friends will adore. These cookies are versatile enough to be casual snacks or sophisticated treats.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. To keep them soft, add a slice of bread to the container—the cookies will absorb the moisture and stay fresh longer.

Freezing

You can freeze both the cookie dough and the baked cookies. Wrap dough balls in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag for up to three months. For baked cookies, store them in an airtight container layered with parchment paper. When ready, thaw at room temperature for a few hours.

Reheating

To bring the gooey texture back to life, warm cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or place them in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5 minutes. This melts the chocolate and butterscotch chips slightly, reviving that fresh-baked magic.

FAQs

Can I substitute peanut butter?

Absolutely! You can use almond butter or sunflower seed butter if you have allergies or prefer a different nutty note. Keep in mind the flavor will shift, but the texture remains wonderful.

What if I don’t have butterscotch chips?

If butterscotch chips aren’t available, you can swap them with white chocolate chips or caramel bits to retain that sweet, creamy contrast.

Should I chill the dough every time?

Chilling isn’t mandatory but highly recommended. It helps thicken the dough, which means thicker, chewier cookies. If you’re short on time, bake immediately but expect flatter cookies.

How do I avoid overbaking these cookies?

Watch the edges: they should be light brown while the center remains shiny and slightly underdone. Overbaking dries out the cookies and makes them less chewy.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes, doubling works perfectly. Just be sure to mix your ingredients thoroughly and bake cookies on separate sheets to ensure even cooking.

Final Thoughts

Trust me when I say this Peanut Butter Butterscotch and Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe will quickly become a favorite in your repertoire. With every bite bursting with rich flavors and that perfect chewy texture, these cookies are a true labor of love worth every minute invested. So get out your mixing bowl and enjoy the magic of homemade comfort food that everyone will rave about!

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