This recipe is created and tested in a home kitchen environment to ensure reliable, repeatable baking results. It uses simple pantry ingredients and a tested method designed to produce soft, chewy cookies with consistent texture and flavor. The instructions are written for both beginner and experienced bakers to achieve bakery-style results at home.
What Are Oatmeal Scotchies?
Oatmeal scotchies are soft and chewy oatmeal cookies made with brown sugar, cinnamon, oats, and butterscotch chips. They are known for their caramel-like flavor and soft centers with lightly crisp edges. This is a classic oatmeal cookie variation where butterscotch chips replace chocolate chips or raisins.
Quick Recipe Information
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 7–10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 40–48 cookies
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins
3 cups oats (quick oats or old-fashioned oats)
1 (11 oz) package butterscotch chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- In a large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until creamy.
- Add eggs and vanilla and mix until combined.
- Gradually add dry ingredients into wet mixture and mix until dough forms.
- Stir in oats and butterscotch chips evenly.
- Drop spoonfuls of dough onto baking sheets.
- Bake for 7–10 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
- Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.
Baking Tips
Use room-temperature butter for best texture.
Do not overmix dough to keep cookies soft.
Bake shorter for softer cookies and longer for crisp edges.
Let cookies cool before moving to prevent breaking.
Storage
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months.
Freeze dough balls for up to 2 months and bake directly from frozen.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe works because brown sugar adds moisture, butter creates richness, and oats provide structure. Butterscotch chips melt slightly during baking, creating a caramel-like flavor in every bite.
Common Questions
Can I use quick oats instead of old-fashioned oats?
Yes. Quick oats create a softer texture, while old-fashioned oats give more chewiness.
Can I freeze the dough?
Yes. Freeze dough balls for up to 2 months and bake with a slight increase in bake time.
Can I add nuts or raisins?
Yes. You can replace part of the butterscotch chips with nuts or raisins.