Incredibly tender, buttery shortbread packed with caramelized butterscotch and crunchy toffee bits. This easy slice-and-bake recipe guarantees a flawless melt-in-your-mouth texture every time!
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 12 minutes | Chilling Time: 2 hours | Total Time: 2 hours 27 minutes | Servings: 24 cookies
If you are looking for a cookie that is rich, buttery, and incredibly tender, these Butterscotch Shortbread Cookies are exactly what you need. They are packed with caramelized butterscotch chips and crunchy toffee bits, creating a melt-in-your-mouth texture with a satisfying crunch in every bite. This easy slice-and-bake recipe is perfect for holiday cookie trays, bake sales, or a cozy weekend treat.
The magic of this recipe lies in the combination of cornstarch and butter. The cornstarch gives the cookies their signature tender, crumbly texture, while the butter provides richness and a melt-in-your-mouth feel. The butterscotch chips and toffee bits add a deep, caramel-like sweetness and a wonderful crunch.
Why This Recipe Works
This slice-and-bake recipe is a classic for a reason. Chilling the dough log for at least two hours firms up the butter, ensuring the cookies hold their shape and don’t spread too much in the oven. Cutting the slices into 1/4-inch rounds and rotating the log after each cut helps maintain a perfectly round shape. Baking the cookies just until the edges are lightly golden ensures they stay tender and pale in the center.
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup butterscotch chips, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup toffee bits
Instructions
- Whisk the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt together in a medium bowl. Set the mixture aside.
- Cream the softened butter and powdered sugar together in a large bowl until smooth and well combined.
- Mix in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the creamed butter mixture. Stir just until a dough forms.
- Fold in the finely chopped butterscotch chips and toffee bits until evenly distributed.
- Transfer the dough to a sheet of plastic wrap. Shape it into a compact log approximately 2 1/2 to 3 inches in diameter.
- Wrap the log tightly in the plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours, or until completely firm.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Remove the plastic wrap and cut the chilled dough into 1/4-inch slices. Rotate the log a quarter-turn after each cut to help maintain its round shape.
- Arrange the slices approximately 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden while the centers remain pale.
- Let the cookies rest on the hot baking sheet for 2 minutes. Carefully transfer them to a wire rack and cool completely.
Tips for the Best Results
Use softened butter. Make sure your butter is at room temperature before creaming it with the powdered sugar. This ensures a smooth, well-combined dough.
Chop the butterscotch chips finely. Finely chopping the butterscotch chips ensures they distribute evenly through the dough and don’t create large, hard chunks in the finished cookies.
Chill the dough thoroughly. The two-hour chilling time is essential. A firm dough log slices cleanly and holds its shape in the oven.
Rotate the log as you slice. Turning the log a quarter-turn after each cut helps maintain a round shape and prevents the bottom from flattening.
Don’t overbake. Pull the cookies out when the edges are lightly golden and the centers are still pale. They will continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheet.
Storage and Serving
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They also freeze beautifully—layer them between sheets of parchment paper in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Serve them on their own as a quick snack or dessert, or with a cup of hot tea or coffee.
Buttery, crunchy, and completely irresistible, these Butterscotch Shortbread Cookies are a fantastic recipe to keep in your rotation for easy baking.