Oatmeal Scotchies Recipe

The Best Oatmeal Scotchies Recipe: Cozy Butterscotch Magic

Oatmeal scotchies bring warmth and nostalgia to any kitchen, inviting memories of childhood comfort.

Sweet butterscotch chips create a delightful contrast against hearty rolled oats, promising an irresistible texture.

Crisp edges and soft centers define this classic cookie’s signature charm.

Bakers love how quickly these treats come together, requiring minimal preparation and maximum satisfaction.

The delicate balance between nutty oats and caramel-like butterscotch creates a complex flavor profile that surprises and delights.

Each bite offers a perfect harmony of sweetness and wholesome goodness.

Craving a simple yet spectacular cookie that refines ordinary moments into something magical.

Why Oatmeal Scotchies Hit the Right Balance

  • Savor Irresistible Flavor Combinations: Butterscotch chips and oats create a magical sweet-and-hearty taste profile that dances delightfully on your taste buds, offering a perfect balance between rich butterscotch and wholesome oatmeal.
  • Experience Bakery-Level Texture Magic: These cookies deliver a wonderfully soft center with slightly crispy edges, providing a satisfying crunch that gradually melts in your mouth with each delectable bite.
  • Master Easy Baking Techniques: Designed for both novice and experienced bakers, this recipe requires simple mixing methods and basic ingredients, making it incredibly approachable and foolproof for anyone wanting to create homemade treats without complicated steps.
  • Enjoy Quick Comfort Baking: From start to finish, these Oatmeal Scotchies come together in under an hour, making them an ideal solution for spontaneous cookie cravings or last-minute dessert needs that still deliver impressive homemade deliciousness.

Ingredients for Butterscotch Oatmeal Cookies

Dry Base:
  • All-Purpose Flour: A classic pantry staple that provides structure and texture to the cookie.
  • Baking Soda: Essential for helping the cookies rise and spread with a light, tender crumb.
  • Ground Cinnamon, Ground Nutmeg: Warm spices that add depth and aromatic flavor to the cookies.
  • Fine Salt: Enhances the overall sweetness and balances the cookie's flavor profile.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Unsalted Butter: Creamy base that adds richness and helps create a soft, tender cookie texture.
  • Brown Sugar: Provides moisture, deep caramel-like sweetness, and contributes to the cookie's chewy texture.
  • Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds structure to the cookie dough.
  • Vanilla Extract: Classic flavoring that enhances the overall sweetness and aroma.
Mix-ins:
  • Old-Fashioned Oats, Butterscotch Chips: Hearty oats give a rustic texture while butterscotch chips add sweet, caramel-like bursts of flavor throughout the cookie.

Instructions for Golden, Chewy Oatmeal Scotchies

Step 1: Prepare Baking Surfaces

Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking and simplify cleanup.

Step 2: Create Dry Ingredient Blend

In a medium bowl, whisk together:
  • Flour
  • Baking soda
  • Cinnamon
  • Salt
  • Nutmeg

Set mixture aside for later use.

Step 3: Whip Butter and Sugar

Use a stand mixer to cream unsalted butter and brown sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. This creates a smooth base for your cookies.

Step 4: Introduce Wet Components

Add egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Blend until completely smooth and well incorporated.

Step 5: Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures

Slowly add dry ingredient blend to wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing.

Step 6: Fold in Delicious Extras

Gently stir in:
  • Rolled oats
  • Butterscotch chips

Ensure even distribution throughout the dough.

Step 7: Shape and Chill Dough

Scoop dough into 15 equal balls on prepared baking sheets. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to help cookies maintain shape during baking.

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place chilled dough balls 3 inches apart on baking sheets. Bake for 13-14 minutes until edges are lightly golden.

Step 9: Cool and Serve

Let cookies rest on baking sheets for 10 minutes. Transfer to wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your homemade treats!

Tricks for Even Baking and Texture

  • Butter Softening Trick: Let unsalted butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before creaming to achieve a smoother, more consistent dough texture.
  • Oat Selection Strategy: Use old-fashioned rolled oats instead of quick oats for better texture and a more substantial cookie bite.
  • Chill Dough Technique: Refrigerating the dough helps prevent excessive spreading and creates a richer, more developed flavor profile.
  • Mix-In Distribution Method: Fold butterscotch chips gently to prevent breaking and ensure even distribution throughout the cookie dough.
  • Baking Precision Tip: Watch cookies closely during the final minutes of baking; remove when edges are golden but centers still look slightly soft for perfectly chewy Oatmeal Scotchies.

How to Save and Reheat Oatmeal Scotchies

Store in Airtight Container: Place cooled Oatmeal Scotchies in a sealed container with a tight-fitting lid, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Refrigerate for Extended Freshness: Extend shelf life by storing cookies in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Wrap them in plastic wrap or place in a ziplock bag to maintain moisture and prevent absorption of other food odors.

Freeze for Long-Term Storage: Carefully stack cookies in a freezer-safe container, placing wax paper between layers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to restore their soft, chewy texture.

Coffee, Milk, or Tea? What to Serve with Scotchies

  • Craft a Cozy Comfort Beverage Pairing: Warm up your Oatmeal Scotchies experience with a steaming mug of chai latte, its spicy notes perfectly complementing the cinnamon and butterscotch flavors.
  • Elevate Dessert with Sweet Liquid Harmony: Pour a cold glass of salted caramel milk, which echoes the butterscotch chips' richness and adds a creamy contrast to the cookie's texture.
  • Match with Complementary Flavor Adventure: Enjoy a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream alongside these cookies, creating a delightful temperature and taste contrast that highlights the oatmeal's warmth.
  • Create a Nostalgic Afternoon Treat: Brew a cup of medium-roast coffee with a touch of hazelnut creamer, allowing the nutty undertones to dance with the cookie's sweet butterscotch essence.

Swaps and Mix-ins for Classic Oatmeal Scotchies

  • Chocolate Chip Oasis: Swap butterscotch chips with semisweet or milk chocolate chips for a classic cookie variation that chocolate lovers will adore.
  • Nutty Crunch Cluster: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the dough for extra texture and a rich, toasted nutty flavor that complements the oats beautifully.
  • Coconut Dream: Mix in shredded coconut alongside the oats to create a tropical-inspired cookie with a subtle sweet and chewy element.
  • Cranberry Zest: Incorporate dried cranberries for a tart and festive twist that adds bright bursts of flavor to the traditional oatmeal cookie recipe.
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Oatmeal Scotchies Recipe

Oatmeal Scotchies Recipe


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4.9 from 38 reviews

  • Total Time: 44 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Oatmeal scotchies blend classic comfort with golden butterscotch chips, creating an irresistible cookie experience. Crisp edges, chewy centers, and sweet caramel notes make these treats perfect companions for afternoon tea or midnight snacking.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups (150g) old-fashioned or rolled oats
  • 1 cup (175g) butterscotch chips
  • ¾ cup (150g) packed light or dark brown sugar
  • ½ cup (113g or 1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • ¾ cup (95g) all-purpose flour

Spices and Seasonings:

  • ½ teaspoon (3g) baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon (1g) ground cinnamon, optional
  • ½ teaspoon (3g) fine salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg, optional

Binding Ingredients:

  • 1 large egg, at room temperature (56g)
  • 1 teaspoon (4ml) vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare your workspace by arranging two baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats to ensure effortless cookie release and minimal cleanup.
  2. Whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg in a medium bowl, creating a uniform dry ingredient blend that will provide consistent flavor and texture.
  3. Utilize a stand mixer to cream butter and brown sugar until the mixture transforms into a light, fluffy consistency that promises tender cookies.
  4. Introduce egg and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture, blending until a smooth, homogeneous batter develops.
  5. Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently to avoid overworking the dough and maintaining a delicate texture.
  6. Incorporate oats and butterscotch chips using a spatula, ensuring even distribution throughout the cookie dough for balanced flavor in every bite.
  7. Form the dough into 15 uniform balls, strategically placing them on prepared baking sheets, then refrigerate for 30 minutes to help cookies maintain their shape during baking.
  8. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C), positioning dough balls with ample spacing to prevent merging during baking.
  9. Bake for 13-14 minutes, watching for a soft appearance that indicates perfect doneness – cookies will firm up while cooling.
  10. Rest cookies on baking sheets for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack, allowing complete cooling and optimal texture development.

Notes

  • Chilling the dough helps prevent excessive spreading and creates a chewier texture with perfectly crisp edges.
  • Softened butter at room temperature blends smoothly with sugars, creating a light and airy cookie base.
  • Mixing ingredients gently ensures butterscotch chips and oats distribute evenly without overworking the dough.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 14 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 159
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 72 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 23 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 16 mg
Alex Reed

Alex Reed

Founder & Lead Content Writer

Expertise

Recipe Development and Testing​, Culinary Education​, Food Writing and Blogging​, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Global Cuisine Exploration

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and contemporary cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development. Emphasized hands-on experience in diverse culinary traditions.​

Le Cordon Bleu Paris

  • Program: Diplôme de Cuisine
  • Focus: Advanced instruction in French culinary techniques, including sauce preparation, pâtisserie, and haute cuisine.​

Alex Reed is an inventive chef and food creator with a passion for dishes that balance taste, health, and sustainability. 

Trained at Portland Community College and holding an Advanced Pastry Arts certificate from Oregon Culinary Institute, Alex brings more than 10 years of practical culinary experience to every recipe he develops. 

His background uniquely blends traditional cooking skills with modern, mindful eating principles. As the founder of Beard and Bonnet, Alex creates recipes that encourage readers to cook confidently.

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