Fall in love with these irresistibly sweet and wonderfully chewy Giant Butterscotch Cookies! This cherished old-fashioned butterscotch cookie recipe delivers an unmatched homemade flavor and texture, far superior to anything you’ll find in a store. Each cookie is generously loaded with creamy butterscotch chips, infused with a hint of warm maple syrup, and crafted with two distinct kinds of sugars for an extra layer of sweetness and depth. Prepare to fall head over heels for these truly delightful treats!
Unleash the Ultimate Fall Indulgence: Giant Butterscotch Cookies
As Fall Flavors Week continues, we’re thrilled to share a cookie recipe that is guaranteed to become your new favorite. These spectacular giant butterscotch cookies are designed to utterly knock your socks off! Imagine a cookie that’s perfectly crisp around the edges, yet delightfully soft and chewy in the middle, bursting with sweet butterscotch chips and a subtle, inviting warmth from a touch of maple syrup – truly a taste of autumn in every bite. While you could certainly bake them in a more modest, normal size, we believe that if you’re going to treat yourself to a cookie, you should *really* indulge in a COOKIE! And these giant versions are just the ticket for that ultimate dessert experience.
This exceptional Giant Butterscotch Cookie recipe has been proudly shared as part of the #FallFlavors event, made possible with wonderful products from Dixie Crystals Sugar, ensuring the highest quality and taste in every batch.
Beyond Cookies: The Versatility of Butterscotch Chips
So, you’ve found yourself with a bag of those delightful butterscotch chips, and you’re wondering what culinary magic you can create? While this sensational cookie recipe is an absolute must-try, butterscotch chips are incredibly versatile and can elevate a wide array of baked goods and desserts. Beyond cookies, these sweet morsels are fantastic in brownies, adding a rich, buttery note. They can be melted down for a luscious sauce to drizzle over ice cream or pancakes, incorporated into cakes for an unexpected flavor twist, or even transformed into various types of homemade candies and confections.
One of the best things about butterscotch chips is their adaptability. In most recipes that call for peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, or even traditional chocolate chips, you can easily substitute them with butterscotch chips. This simple swap allows you to introduce that distinctive buttery, caramelized flavor into your favorite recipes, opening up a world of new taste experiences!
What Do Butterscotch Chips Taste Like? A Flavor Profile
For those unfamiliar with the distinctive taste of butterscotch chips, prepare for a treat! They are renowned for their classic, rich buttery and sweet flavors, often accompanied by subtle notes of caramel and brown sugar. It’s a comforting, nostalgic taste that evokes warmth and indulgence. Whenever we find ourselves craving that perfect balance of salty and sweet, baking with butterscotch chips is our go-to solution. Their rich, deep sweetness is particularly inviting during the cooler months, making them an ideal ingredient for autumn and winter desserts. The slight hint of saltiness often present in high-quality butterscotch balances the sweetness beautifully, creating a complex and utterly addictive flavor profile that will have you reaching for just one more giant cookie.
Crafting Perfection: The Ingredients Behind Our Giant Butterscotch Cookies
Every exceptional cookie starts with high-quality ingredients, and our Giant Butterscotch Cookies are no exception. Here’s a detailed look at what makes them so incredibly delicious:
- Shortening: We specifically recommend using Crisco shortening in this recipe. Its unique properties contribute to a wonderfully moist, incredibly soft, and noticeably fluffier cookie texture. Unlike butter, shortening has a higher melting point, which helps the cookies spread less and retain their thick, chewy center.
- Sugar: A harmonious blend of two kinds of sugar is key to both flavor and texture. We use Dixie Crystals granulated sugar for crispness at the edges and a bright sweetness, alongside rich brown sugar which adds depth, moisture, and a delightful chewiness, enhancing the butterscotch flavor.
- Eggs: You’ll need two large eggs, which act as a crucial binding agent, adding structure and richness to the dough. They also contribute to the tender crumb of the cookies.
- Maple Syrup: This is our secret ingredient for a touch of autumnal magic! Maple syrup isn’t just for pancakes; a generous amount in this recipe adds an extra layer of warm, natural sweetness that beautifully complements the butterscotch and provides that subtle fall flair.
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our cookies, all-purpose flour provides the necessary structure. For those avoiding gluten, you can experiment with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend, keeping in mind that slight adjustments to liquid or baking time might be needed.
- Salt: A pinch of salt is vital for balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the other flavors, making the butterscotch taste even more pronounced and delicious.
- Baking Soda: This leavening agent works with the acidic cream of tartar to help the cookies rise beautifully, ensuring they are light and airy despite their substantial size.
- Cream of Tartar: Are you aware of this little secret in many classic cookie recipes? Cream of tartar is a fantastic ingredient that serves multiple purposes. It reacts with baking soda to give the cookies their ideal rise, but more importantly, it helps prevent sugar crystallization, contributing to an incredibly soft and chewy texture that lasts. It’s the key to that perfect, tender bite.
- Butterscotch Chips: The star of the show! One full 11-ounce package of high-quality butterscotch chips is essential. Don’t skimp on these; they provide that signature creamy, buttery, and sweet flavor that defines these cookies.
Mastering the Art: How to Bake the Best Giant Butterscotch Cookies
Step One: Creaming the Foundation
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your oven is at the correct temperature from the start, crucial for even baking. In a large mixing bowl, combine the shortening, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Using an electric mixer, cream these ingredients together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This process incorporates air, which is vital for the cookies’ texture. Next, beat in the two large eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Finally, stir in the maple syrup, mixing until just combined.
Step Two: Bringing Wet and Dry Together
In a separate bowl, sift together your dry ingredients: the all-purpose flour, salt, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Sifting not only removes lumps but also helps distribute the leavening agents evenly, leading to a consistent rise. Gradually add these sifted dry ingredients to your wet mixture, mixing on low speed until *just* combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can develop the gluten in the flour too much, resulting in tough cookies. Once the dough comes together, gently fold in the entire package of butterscotch chips by hand. This ensures they are evenly distributed without being broken up.
Step Three: Shaping Your Giant Delights
To achieve truly “giant” cookies, use a 1/4 cup measuring scoop or a large cookie scoop to portion out the dough. Roll each scoop into a smooth ball. Place the dough balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving plenty of space between them as these cookies will spread. Lightly press down on the tops of each cookie ball to flatten them slightly, but do not completely flatten them. This slight press helps them bake evenly while maintaining their impressive thick and chewy center. If you prefer to make regular-sized cookies, simply use a smaller measuring scoop (about 1.5-2 tablespoons) and adjust the baking time accordingly.
Step Four: Baking to Golden Perfection
Bake the giant butterscotch cookies for approximately twelve minutes. Keep an eye on them; the edges should be a beautiful golden brown, while the centers might still appear a little soft or slightly underdone. This is perfectly normal and desired, as it’s the secret to their incredibly chewy texture. Once removed from the oven, let the cookies stand on the hot baking sheet for a couple of minutes. This brief resting period allows them to set slightly, preventing them from breaking when you transfer them. After a few minutes, carefully move them to a wire rack to cool completely. The residual heat will continue to cook them gently, resulting in that ideal soft, chewy center.
Tips for Baking Perfect Giant Butterscotch Cookies
Achieving the perfect giant butterscotch cookie is simple with a few helpful tips:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your eggs and shortening are at room temperature. This helps them cream together smoothly, creating a uniform dough that bakes evenly.
- Don’t Overmix: After adding the dry ingredients, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops gluten, leading to tougher cookies.
- Parchment Paper is Your Friend: Always line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking, ensures easy cleanup, and promotes even browning on the bottom of your cookies.
- Space Them Out: These are *giant* cookies, so they need room to spread. Don’t overcrowd your baking sheet; bake in batches if necessary.
- The “Underbaked” Center: It might feel counterintuitive, but pulling the cookies from the oven when their centers still look slightly soft is key to achieving that perfectly chewy texture. They will continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet.
- Cooling is Crucial: The initial cooling on the baking sheet is important for setting. Transferring them too soon can cause them to break or flatten.
Storage and Freezing Instructions
To keep your giant butterscotch cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. If you want to enjoy them for longer, these cookies freeze beautifully!
- Freezing Baked Cookies: Once completely cooled, place the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
- Freezing Cookie Dough: You can also prepare the dough balls as instructed in Step Three, then freeze them on a baking sheet until firm. Transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer-safe bag. When ready to bake, place the frozen dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and add an extra 2-3 minutes to the baking time.
Creative Variations and Serving Suggestions
While these giant butterscotch cookies are absolutely perfect as is, they also serve as a fantastic canvas for creative customizations. Want to switch things up a bit? Consider adding your favorite chopped nuts for extra crunch and flavor, such as pecans or walnuts, which pair wonderfully with butterscotch. For a delightful flavor combination, mix in some chocolate chips alongside the butterscotch, or for a caramel-toffee kick, sprinkle in Heath Bits. The possibilities are truly endless when it comes to customizing these delightful cookies!
Another fantastic idea, especially during warmer months, is to transform them into decadent ice cream sandwiches. Simply sandwich a generous scoop of butter pecan ice cream (or your favorite flavor!) between two of these large cookies for a truly scrumptious and impressive dessert. Of course, sometimes the simplest pleasures are the best: just one of these warm, chewy giant cookies with a tall, frosty glass of chilled milk is an absolute dream come true.
Love This Recipe? Pin It for Later!
If you’re already dreaming of baking this incredible giant butterscotch cookie recipe, make sure you don’t lose track of it! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board now so you can easily find it whenever that butterscotch craving strikes.
Are Caramel and Butterscotch the Same? Unraveling the Sweet Mystery
It’s a common misconception, but despite their similar appearance and often-confused flavors, caramel and butterscotch are distinctly different. The key distinction lies in their primary ingredients and preparation methods. Caramel is traditionally made by browning granulated sugar until it melts and develops a rich, amber hue, often with the addition of cream and butter. This process creates its signature deep, slightly smoky, and intensely sweet flavor. Butterscotch, on the other hand, is primarily made with brown sugar and butter, which are melted together and then cooked to a specific temperature. This gives butterscotch its characteristic buttery, toffee-like, and caramelized brown sugar taste, which is often perceived as richer and slightly less bitter than caramel. While both are incredibly delicious and can sometimes be interchanged in recipes if you enjoy both flavor profiles, understanding their unique compositions enhances your appreciation for each distinct sweet treat.
More Irresistible Dessert Recipes You’ll Love
- 7 Layer Cookie Bars
- Chewy Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Butterscotch Pudding
- Apple Oatmeal Cookies
- Chocolate Marshmallow Pie Crust
- Homemade Twix Bars
- S’mores Treats
Exciting Giveaway Alert! Discover Amazing Fall Flavors Prizes
Welcome back to #FallFlavors, where a fantastic group of over 25 food bloggers are passionately sharing their favorite autumn-inspired recipes. We are incredibly grateful to our generous sponsors: Millican Pecan, Dixie Crystals, Melissa’s Produce, Taylor & Colledge, Nairn’s, and The Republic of Tea. They have graciously provided complimentary products for our participating bloggers to use in their creative recipe development this week. These same esteemed sponsors have also generously contributed amazing prizes for our special giveaway! Be sure to enter for your chance to win, and spread the word to your friends so they can enter too. For even more fall inspiration, don’t forget to follow our dedicated Fall Flavors Pinterest account.
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Time to Enter the Giveaway!
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Please refer to the detailed giveaway disclaimer at the bottom of this post for full terms and conditions.
Now that you have all the tips and tricks, it’s time to gather your ingredients and bake some truly giant, absolutely delicious butterscotch cookies! Enjoy every single bite of this fall-flavored masterpiece. 
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Print Recipe
Giant Butterscotch Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup Crisco shortening
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 1/2 teaspoons maple syrup
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1 11 ounce package of butterscotch chips
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the shortening, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add in the eggs and maple syrup, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Gently fold in the butterscotch chips by hand until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Using a 1/4 cup measuring scoop or a large cookie scoop, portion out the dough and roll it into balls. Place the dough balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring ample space between them. Lightly press down on the tops of the cookies with your palm, but do not flatten them completely.
- Bake for 12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are beautifully golden brown. The centers may still look slightly soft or underdone, which is desirable for a chewy texture. Remove from the oven and let them stand on the cookie sheet for a couple of minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
More #FallFlavors Recipes Below:
Appetizers, Cocktails, and Snacks
- Apple Cider Old-Fashioned from Books n’ Cooks
- Fall Charcuterie Board from The Spiffy Cookie
- Sweet And Spicy Pecans from Simple and Savory
Breakfast and Baked Goods
- Apple Cider Pecan Granola from Family Around The Table
- Apple Cinnamon Bread from Life Love and Good Food
- Apple Pecan Scones from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Gluten-Free Apple Cider Doughnuts from Frugal & Fit
- Pecan Cinnamon Sugar Baked Apple Donuts from Jen Around the World
Soups and Salads
- Caramel Apple Pear Salad from Eat Move Make
- Creamy Autumn Squash Soup from Blogghetti
Side Dishes
- Balsamic Glazed Cipollini Onions from West Via Midwest
- Roasted Cipollini Onions With Sherry Vinegar And Thyme from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
- Vegan Butternut Squash And Chestnut Kebabs from Magical Ingredients
Main Dishes
- Cider Brined Baked Chicken from Palatable Pastime
- Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad from Cheese Curd In Paradise
Desserts
- Air Fryer Apple Fritters from Devour Dinner
- Apple Cider Tea Madeleines from Jolene’s Recipe Journal
- Apple Crumb Bars from SueBee Homemaker
- Apple Nachos from Take Two Tapas
- Butterscotch Blondies from That Recipe
- Carrot Cake Cupcakes from Fresh April Flours
- Fall Fruit Galette from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Giant Butterscotch Cookies from An Affair from the Heart
- Gluten-Free Apple Pie from The Fresh Cooky
- Mini Pumpkin Cheesecake from Art of Natural Living
- Pear & Butternut Squash Crisp from Savory Moments
- Pecan Pound Cake from Soulfully Made
- Sour Cream Apple Pie from House of Nash Eats
- Sour Cream Coffee Cake Recipe from Lemon Blossoms
Fall Flavors 2021 Giveaway Disclaimer: Six (6) winners will be randomly selected. The prize packages will be sent directly from the giveaway sponsors. Bloggers are not responsible for prize fulfillment. Winners have 24 hours to respond once notified by email, or they forfeit the prize and an alternate winner will be chosen. The #FallFlavors bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members living in the household cannot enter or win the giveaway. Entries will be verified. No purchase is necessary. Void where prohibited by law. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter the giveaway and the contest is open only to US residents. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, or any other social channel mentioned in the #FallFlavors posts or entries. Thank you to our sponsors Millican Pecan Company, Dixie Crystals, Melissa’s Produce, Taylor & Colledge, Republic of Tea, and Nairn’s for providing prizes.