Frosted Butterscotch Cookies – a soft brown sugar cookie is topped with a sweet butterscotch cookie in this kid-favorite cookie.
My husband loves Oreo cookies. Loves them. He’ll eat homemade cookies, and even really likes some that I make, but if faced between the decision of a homemade cookie or an Oreo, I think he’d chose the Oreo. So it’s pretty funny to me that my daughter – who turns 2 this month! – asks for cookies by either saying “dadda’s cookie” or “momma’s cookie.” When she asks for dadda’s cookie, it means an Oreo, and momma’s cookie means a homemade cookie! Luckily, she likes my baking, so my cookie attempts are not always shunned!
When I came across this recipe, I knew I had to try these cookies. All you have to say is “browned butter” and I know that I’m looking at a recipe that I’ll love!! And yes – I did love these cookies. They are definitely more of a cake-like cookie than a chewy cookie, and they are quite sweet. But it’s good, because you are satisfied after 1 (or maybe 2!) The dough is super soft and sticky – I was all prepared to add more flour after testing the first batch. But they baked up beautifully as the recipe is written. And don’t even start your frosting until the cookies are cool. The frosting will harden up pretty quickly. In fact, I found that I had to add more water than the recipe calls for just to get a spreading consistency. If you like your cookies soft and sweet, this recipe is for you!
Frosted Butterscotch Cookies
Ingredients
Cookies:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 8-oz container sour cream
Browned Butter Frosting:
- 1/2 cup butter
- 3 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar
- 5 teaspoons boiling water
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease cookie sheets. Set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl stir together flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
- In large mixing bowl beat the brown sugar and shortening with an electric mixer on medium speed until well mixed. Add eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until well mixed. Add flour mixture and sour cream alternately to beaten mixture, beating after each addition.
- Drop dough by rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart onto prepared cookie sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool.
- To make frosting, in a medium saucepan heat and stir 1/2 cup butter (no substitutes) over medium-low heat until golden brown. (Do not scorch.) Remove from heat.
- Stir in powdered sugar, boiling water, and 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla. Beat until frosting is easy to spread.
- Immediately spread on cooled cookies. If frosting begins to set up, stir in a small amount of additional boiling water. If desired, top with additional chopped walnuts or walnut halves.
grace says
it's hard to improve upon the miracle that is butter, but browning it does just that. these cookies are stellar.
Monet says
How adorable about your daughter…I would chose mom's cookies every time! I love cake-like cookies so I'm bookmarking this recipe for sure. I swoon over browned butter, so you know that these have me smiling! Thank you for you for sharing this yumminess, and thank you for your kind words on my blog. They mean so much!
Holly says
These look soooo delicious!!! I was just telling my hubby-I swear I print every one of your recipes;)
Kelli says
Browned butter makes everything better!
teresa says
my husband is an oreo fiend too, i think they're okay, but it just doesn't beat homemade. these look amazing, love the frosting!
Veeda says
Brown butter? Sold!
Evan B says
Your daughter is too cute! I have a slight obsession with brown butter so I have to try this recipe and the others you've listed 🙂
Natalie says
that is too funny about your daughter! love it!
Jennifurla says
these look fantastic, love the texture.
Joanne says
You know, if you ever need to get rid of those some of those homemade cookies, I know a household in NYC that could always go for some homemade cookie love. These sound fantastic! Butterscotch is an eternal favorite of mine.
Georgia (The Comfort of Cooking) says
These look so soft and delicious, and that frosting on top has taken these completely over the edge! Absolutely lovely cookies, Deborah. Just what I want, but not what my waistline needs, haha.
Frieda says
Oreos are probably the ONLY storebought cookie that I buy. But given the choice, I'd take a fresh cake-like Butterscotch cookie any day!
Maria says
These look amazing!
kat says
I've just never understood choosing a store-bought cookie over homemade, especially an Oreo
Barbara says
You got me at butterscotch, Deborah. And then added browned butter to it….double yum. I've been using browned butter a lot lately, we love the flavor. I copied this recipe before I commented!