Butterscotch No Bake Cookies
This Butterscotch No Bake Cookies recipe gives you a rich, fudge-like treat packed with butterscotch and oats. You can’t go wrong with these no-bake cookies that can be made in just 20 minutes!
Table of Contents
These no-bake butterscotch cookies are a classic, vintage recipe that will take you back to your childhood. With their signature butterscotch flavor and chewy texture, they’re just like the peanut butter no-bake oatmeal cookies you know and love.
If you love no-bake cookies, you’ll want to try my chocolate no-bake cookies, for a delicious twist on a classic recipe. Or, for a different no-bake treat, my no-bake chocolate haystacks and no-bake rice krispie peanut butter bars are also big hits with both kids and adults. And if you love the butterscotch flavor of traditional cookies, give this old fashioned butterscotch cookie recipe a try.
I’m a sucker for any recipe I find in my grandma’s handwriting. I just love seeing the cursive. Those little details like writing whose recipe it was and what year she enjoyed them just make it even more special. And because this recipe was amazing in flavor and easy to make, I just know you’re going to enjoy this recipe as well.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This recipe is a time-saver. It takes less than 20 minutes to make, and the cookies harden quickly, thanks to the rolled oats.
- Pantry Staples: It’s made from ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, making it a convenient go-to recipe.
- Make-Ahead: These cookies can be made ahead and frozen, so you can enjoy them whenever you want. It’s a great time-saver!
- Classic Flavors: The combination of butterscotch and peanut butter gives these cookies a timeless, irresistible flavor.
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Key Ingredients
- Salted Butter: There is no substitute in this recipe. Although the original recipe says oleo (another word for margarine), I highly recommend using butter to help get a firm no-bake cookie.
- Light Brown Sugar: This will add a rich, caramel-like flavor to the cookies and help to sweeten them.
- Milk: This is our liquid ingredient that will bind everything together.
- Crunchy Peanut Butter: For more texture with this cookie, choose crunchy peanut butter. You are welcome.
- Quick Rolled Oats: Using quick oats will get you a more incorporated cookie. Old-fashioned oats leave the cookies too chewy, in my opinion.
- Vanilla Extract: It will enhance the overall flavor of the cookies, giving them a more aromatic and sweet note.
Equipment
- Large Saucepan – You’ll need this to combine the butter, brown sugar, and milk, and bring them to a rolling boil.
- Cookie Scoop – This will help you spoon the mixture onto the wax paper, ensuring evenly sized cookies.
How to Make Butterscotch No Bake Cookies
Preparation
Start by measuring out the peanut butter, rolled oats, and vanilla. Set these aside for later.
Step 1 – Combine and Boil
In a large saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, and milk. Stir it well and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Let it boil for one minute.
Step 2 – Add Remaining Ingredients
After the mixture has boiled, remove the pan from the heat. Add the pre-measured peanut butter, rolled oats, and vanilla. Stir everything together until it’s well mixed.
Step 3 – Spoon the Mixture
Using a cookie scoop, spoon the mixture onto wax paper. Leave some space between each spoon, as the cookies will spread a bit.
Step 4 – Let it Cool
Now, let the spoon cookie cool and harden. It will take some time but be patient. Once they’re hardened, they’re ready to eat.
Expert Tip
To guarantee that your butterscotch no bake cookies turn out perfectly, make sure to get your butter mixture to a rolling boil before counting to 60 seconds. Little bubbles around the edges of the pan are not enough. You need to get it hot enough so that the cookies will harden.
Recipe Variations
- Different Nut Butter: If you’re not a fan of peanut butter, try using almond butter or cashew butter for a different flavor in your no-bake cookies.
- Add Nuts: For extra crunch, add a half cup of chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the cookie mixture.
- Chocolate Drizzle: After the cookies have set, drizzle them with some melted chocolate for a delicious chocolatey addition to the butterscotch flavor.
What to Serve With
- For a classic afternoon treat, serve these butterscotch no bake cookies with a glass of cold milk. The creamy, sweet flavor of the butterscotch and the refreshing milk are a perfect combination.
- If you’re hosting a brunch, these cookies make a great addition to your dessert spread. You can also serve them with a cup of hot coffee or tea for a nice balance of flavors.
- These butterscotch no bake cookies are also a hit with kids, so they’re perfect for birthday parties or playdates. You can even get the little ones involved in making them, as they’re super easy and fun to make.
Recipe FAQs
If you did not boil the butter, sugar, and milk long enough at a high enough temperature, your cookies will not set. Make sure to bring the mixture to a rolling boil before counting to 60 seconds.
Yes, you can use natural peanut butter, but the texture of your cookies may be a little different. Natural peanut butter tends to be runnier than the processed kind, so your cookies may not hold their shape as well.
Storing and Reheating
- Storing: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. They will keep well for up to 2 weeks.
- Freezing: If you’d like to store them for longer, these cookies can also be frozen. Place them in a single layer in an airtight container with parchment paper in between the layers. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Thaw: When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen butterscotch no bake cookies, simply remove them from the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature. This will take about an hour.
More Cookie Recipes You’ll Enjoy
Serving Size
- How to Scale: If you want to make more than 30 cookies, you can double the recipe. Follow the instructions as directed, but you may need to use a larger saucepan to ensure that the ingredients are well combined.
- What to Expect: This butterscotch no-bake cookie recipe yields about 30 delicious cookies.
Butterscotch No Bake Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 Cup salted butter
- 2 Cups light brown sugar packed
- 1/2 Cup milk
- 3/4 Cup crunchy peanut butter
- 3 Cups quick rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Measure out the peanut butter, rolled oats, and vanilla. Set aside.
- In a large saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, and milk. Bring to a rolling boil for one minute.
- Remove pan from heat and add the peanut butter, rolled oats, and vanilla. Mix together well.
- Spoon onto wax paper using a cookie scoop. Let cool to harden.
Great Recipe
Mine really doesn’t taste like butterscotch but more like just peanut butter from what I tasted off the bottom of the pot 😊 Very sweet. I’m wondering if almond butter would make the butterscotch flavor come out better. Might try that next time. They are setting up now.
Homemade butterscotch from a vintage recipe doesn’t have the same sweetness of store bought – I totally understand thinking it tastes different. Let me know how almond butter works out!
Where does the butter scotch come in?
Butterscotch is the combination of brown sugar and butter that creates a unique flavor. Both of those ingredients are included in this recipe. Enjoy!
Mine did not hold together, almost dry. They are setting up right now. I hope. I always measure ahead, and double check. I basically made lovely tasting Granola.
We were on a getaway for our 19th anniversary and in a gas station convenience mart there was this one lone “No Bake Old Fashioned Butterscotch Cookie” and was so good I feel guilty I didnt share as it was heavenly! So excited to try this recipe now — Thank you!!!
Awesome! Hope you enjoy!
Butter, Brown sugar and milk/cream is butterscotch.
I’m sorry I don’t understand how these are butterscotch cookies without using butterscotch morsels? I want to make these for sure?? Thank you when you have time to answer