Irresistibly Soft & Chewy Butterscotch Pudding Cookies: Your New Favorite Easy Recipe!

Butterscotch Pudding Cookies are an absolute delight, offering a rich, deep butterscotch flavor that’s simply irresistible! This exceptional butterscotch cookie recipe is incredibly simple to prepare, and the secret ingredient – instant pudding mix – is what gives them their remarkably soft, moist, and chewy texture, along with an enhanced taste. If you’re searching for an easy-to-make cookie that consistently delivers on flavor and tenderness, look no further!

Whipping up these heavenly cookies with butterscotch pudding is genuinely effortless. Utilizing common kitchen staples and requiring less than 30 minutes of active time, you’ll soon have a batch of delectable treats ready to enjoy. This particular butterscotch cookies recipe consistently yields cookies that are wonderfully soft, perfectly sweet, and bursting with an amazing, buttery flavor that will have everyone asking for more.

Why Pudding Mix is the Secret to Unforgettable Cookies

Have you ever wondered what makes certain cookies stand out with an unparalleled softness and chewiness? The answer often lies in a surprisingly simple addition: instant pudding mix! In this recipe, a box of instant butterscotch pudding mix is truly the star. It’s not just about adding an extra layer of butterscotch flavor, though it certainly does that beautifully. The pudding mix brings moisture and a unique creaminess to the dough, which translates into cookies that stay softer for longer and have that desirable melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Beyond the texture, the pudding mix also helps to stabilize the cookie dough, preventing them from spreading too much during baking, ensuring perfectly shaped cookies every time. It’s a game-changer for anyone looking to elevate their homemade cookie game with minimal extra effort. The result is a cookie that feels more gourmet and lasts longer without drying out, making them ideal for parties, gifting, or simply enjoying throughout the week.

A World of Butterscotch Flavor with Versatile Chips

While the instant butterscotch pudding mix provides the core flavor, these butterscotch pudding cookies also get an extra boost from the chocolate chips incorporated into the dough. I’ve found that white chocolate chips pair beautifully with the butterscotch, offering a sweet contrast and creamy texture that enhances the overall experience. However, don’t feel limited to just white chocolate!

The beauty of this recipe is its adaptability. For those who love a classic combination, semi-sweet chocolate chips would create a delightful balance of rich chocolate and sweet butterscotch. If you’re a true butterscotch enthusiast and want to amplify that signature taste, consider using butterscotch chips instead of or in addition to chocolate chips – they would taste absolutely amazing and provide an even more intense butterscotch experience. Feel free to get creative and experiment with your favorite add-ins to make this butterscotch pudding cookie recipe uniquely yours!

Essential Tools for Baking the BEST Cookies Every Time!

While this recipe is simple, having a few key kitchen items can truly elevate your cookie-baking experience, making the process faster, more enjoyable, and the results more consistent. I personally rely on these three versatile tools for nearly every cookie recipe I prepare.

1. Parchment Paper for Effortless Baking and Cleanup

First, I always line my cookie sheets with a piece of parchment paper. These are readily available in pre-cut sizes that fit a standard 12×16 cookie sheet perfectly. The benefits are numerous: parchment paper prevents cookies from sticking, promotes even baking by insulating the bottom of the cookies, and makes cleanup incredibly easy – no more scrubbing burnt bits off your baking sheets! It’s a small investment that saves a lot of time and frustration.

2. The Indispensable KitchenAid Mixer

My second go-to item is my beloved KitchenAid mixer. While I also own a Bosch, I find myself reaching for my KitchenAid specifically for cookies. It comes with a dedicated cookie paddle attachment that effortlessly mixes ingredients uniformly, ensuring a consistent dough every time. This consistency is vital for achieving a perfect cookie texture. For recipes involving frostings or lighter mixtures, the metal whisk attachment is fantastic for whipping ingredients up super fast. If you don’t have one, add it to your wish list; it’s truly one of the most used small appliances in my kitchen!

3. The Game-Changing Cookie Scoop

My third essential tool is a cookie scoop! For years, I struggled with two spoons, trying to measure and scrape cookie dough onto pans, often resulting in oblong cookies of varying sizes. Then a friend brought perfectly uniform cookies to a party, and her secret was a cookie scoop! These handy gadgets come in three common sizes: 1/2 tablespoon, 1.5 tablespoon, and 3 tablespoon scoops. For these butterscotch pudding cookies, and most other standard cookies, I use the middle size (1.5 tablespoon). A cookie scoop ensures that each cookie is precisely the same size, leading to even baking and a beautiful, professional appearance. When serving a large crowd or offering a variety of desserts, using a smaller scoop can be ideal as people often appreciate a bite-sized treat. For this particular recipe, the middle scoop size is just right for a satisfying cookie.

Butterscotch Pudding Cookie Ingredients: What Each Contributes

Every ingredient in this butterscotch pudding cookie recipe plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect flavor and texture. Let’s break down what each component brings to the table:

• Sugar (1 cup): Granulated sugar not only provides sweetness but also contributes to the cookies’ browning and helps create a slightly crisp edge while keeping the interior soft.
• Softened Butter (1/2 cup): Using softened butter is key for creaming, which incorporates air into the dough, resulting in a lighter texture. It also adds richness and a tender crumb to the cookies.
• Egg (1): The egg acts as a binder, holding the ingredients together. It adds moisture, richness, and contributes to the overall structure and chewiness of the cookie.
• Vanilla Yogurt (1/2 cup): This is a wonderful addition that boosts moisture, adds a subtle tang, and helps create an incredibly soft and tender cookie texture. Sour cream can be substituted if yogurt isn’t available.
• Milk (2 tablespoons): A small amount of milk helps to achieve the right consistency for the dough, ensuring it’s smooth and pliable.
• Butterscotch Pudding Mix (1 3.4-ounce box): The star of the show! Instant pudding mix is responsible for that signature soft, chewy texture, keeping the cookies moist for days. It also infuses every bite with an unmistakable butterscotch flavor.



• Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Don’t skip the salt! It’s essential for balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the wonderful butterscotch and chocolate flavors in the cookies.
• Baking Soda (1/2 teaspoon): This leavening agent reacts with the acidic components in the yogurt/pudding mix to help the cookies rise, creating a tender and airy crumb.
• Flour (2 cups): All-purpose flour provides the necessary structure and body for the cookies, ensuring they hold their shape during baking.
• White Chocolate Chips (1 12-ounce bag): These add a creamy texture and sweet, complementary flavor that pairs wonderfully with butterscotch. For an even more intense butterscotch experience, you could use butterscotch chips, or try semi-sweet for a different flavor profile!

How to Make Butterscotch Pudding Cookies: A Step-by-Step Guide

Prep Your Baking Station

Before you begin mixing, ensure your oven is preheated to 375°F (190°C). Then, prepare two baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper or a silicone mat. This crucial step prevents sticking and ensures easy cleanup later. Set these prepared sheets aside, ready for your delicious cookie dough.

Crafting Your Dreamy Cookie Dough

In a large mixing bowl, either with a stand mixer or a hand mixer, cream together the granulated sugar and softened butter until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is important for incorporating air into the dough. Next, beat in the egg, vanilla yogurt (or sour cream), milk, and the dry butterscotch pudding mix. Continue to stir thoroughly until all these wet ingredients are well combined and smooth. Then, gradually add the flour, salt, and baking soda to the wet mixture. Stir until just combined and smooth, being careful not to overmix, as overworking the dough can lead to tough cookies. Finally, gently fold in your chosen chocolate chips (white chocolate, butterscotch, or semi-sweet) until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. The dough should be soft but manageable.

Baking to Golden Perfection

Using a 1.5-tablespoon cookie scoop (the middle size), drop rounded tablespoonfuls of cookie dough onto your prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie to allow for spreading. Place the baking sheets in your preheated oven and bake for approximately 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are still soft. Do not overbake, as this can dry out your pudding cookies and diminish their signature softness. Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. This allows them to firm up slightly. After 5 minutes, carefully transfer the cookies to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Cooling completely helps them achieve their final texture and prevents them from becoming too soft when handled. Serve immediately and savor every delicious bite!

Frequently Asked Questions About Butterscotch Pudding Cookies

How long do chocolate chip pudding cookies last?

Thanks to the magic of the instant pudding mix, these cookies retain their incredible softness and fresh taste for longer than many traditional cookie recipes. When stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, these butterscotch pudding cookies can last for about 3-5 days while still maintaining their delightful texture and flavor. To extend their freshness even further, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. If you’ve baked a large batch and want to save some for later, these cookies freeze beautifully! Simply place cooled cookies in a single layer in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag, separating layers with parchment paper, and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy.

Can I add other ingredients to this cookie recipe?

Absolutely! This butterscotch pudding cookie recipe is quite versatile and welcomes creative additions. For an extra layer of flavor and crunch, adding some chopped walnuts or pecans would be a fantastic choice. The nutty notes would complement the sweet butterscotch beautifully. If you’re making these for a special occasion or just want to add a festive touch, feel free to fold in some fun and colorful sprinkles to the dough before baking. This will add a wonderful pop of color and an element of surprise to your cookies. Other ideas include toffee bits for more butterscotch-caramel goodness, or a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warmer spice profile, especially during the fall months.

How do you soften butter to room temperature effectively?

Softened butter is crucial for many cookie recipes, including these butterscotch pudding cookies, as it creams properly with sugar to create a light and airy dough. The ideal way to soften butter is to simply set it out on your counter for a few hours. However, life often gets in the way, and we might not always plan that far ahead! Thankfully, there are a few quick tricks to achieve perfectly softened butter in minutes.

My preferred method for speeding up the process is using the microwave. It’s incredibly fast, but it requires careful attention to avoid melting the butter, which can negatively affect your cookie texture. Place the entire stick of butter (unwrapped from foil, of course!) in the microwave and heat for about 6-7 seconds. If it’s still very firm, give it another 5-7 seconds and check again. You might need a few short intervals. As the butter starts to feel soft, reduce the intervals to just a couple of seconds to ensure it doesn’t begin to melt into a liquid state.

Alternatively, I’ve found great success using the defrost setting on my microwave. While I’m not entirely sure of the scientific differences in how this mode works, it tends to warm the butter more gently. It takes a little longer, usually closer to 30 seconds for a full stick, but it makes it much easier to achieve that perfect softened consistency without accidentally melting the butter, which is ideal for baking.

This happens often when walking two crazy pups!

Try More Amazing Pudding Cookie Recipes Here!

If you loved these butterscotch delights, you’ll be thrilled to discover the world of other fantastic pudding cookie recipes. The same secret ingredient that made these cookies so special works wonders with a variety of flavors. Explore some of our other favorites:

• Mint Oreo Pudding Cookies: A refreshing twist with the beloved chocolate and mint combination.
• Pistachio Pudding Cookies: For a unique, subtle, and nutty flavor that’s surprisingly delightful.
• Pumpkin Pudding Cookies: Perfect for fall, offering warm spices and a soft, cake-like texture.
• Blueberry Cream Cookies: A fruity, creamy cookie that’s great for any season.
• Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies: A classic pairing with a soft, pudding-enhanced base.
• Mint Chocolate Pudding Cookies: Another take on the mint and chocolate duo, incredibly soft and flavorful.

Butterscotch Pudding Cookies are truly a wonderfully soft, moist, and utterly delicious treat that’s sure to become a family favorite. This particular white chocolate chip cookie recipe is not only incredibly easy to follow but the clever addition of instant pudding mix consistently gives these cookies the best possible texture and an unforgettable, rich butterscotch taste. Enjoy baking and sharing these delightful cookies!