The Perfect Sea Salt Butterscotch Pretzel Cookies Recipe for Fall

Crisp afternoons call for a delightful sea salt butterscotch pretzel cookies experiment in your kitchen.

Salty and sweet flavors dance together in this unexpected treat.

Crunchy pretzels add a surprising twist to classic cookie textures.

Butterscotch chips melt into golden pockets of richness throughout each bite.

Homemade desserts always spark conversations and create memorable moments.

Warm from the oven, these cookies promise to become your new favorite indulgence.

You’ll want to savor every single crumb of this irresistible creation.

Why You’ll Love These Sweet & Salty Cookies

• Satisfy Sweet and Salty Cravings: Indulge in a delightful cookie that perfectly balances sweet butterscotch with crunchy pretzel bits, creating an irresistible flavor combination that will have everyone reaching for seconds.
• Create with Minimal Fuss: This recipe requires basic baking skills and common kitchen ingredients, making it accessible for both novice and experienced bakers who want to impress without complicated techniques.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert Sensation: Perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or casual get-togethers, these cookies offer a unique twist on traditional treats that will spark conversation and delight taste buds with their unexpected texture and taste profile.
• Customize Your Crunch: Easily adjust the pretzel-to-cookie ratio to suit personal preferences, allowing bakers to control the level of salty-sweet harmony in each delectable bite.

What You Need for Sea Salt Butterscotch Pretzel Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: A foundational ingredient that provides structure and texture to the cookies.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and creates a soft, tender crumb.
• Sea Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cookies.

• Butter: Softened butter creates a rich, creamy base for the cookie dough.
• Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Provide sweetness and contribute to the cookies' soft, chewy texture.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture to the dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the cookie's flavor profile.

• Butterscotch Chips, Pretzels: Add a delightful crunch and sweet-salty combination to the cookies.
• Flaky Sea Salt: Sprinkled on top to enhance the flavor and provide a sophisticated finishing touch.

Bake These Cookies with Easy-To-Follow Steps

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. This ensures a perfect cooking environment for your delicious cookies.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Baking soda
• Sea salt

Blend until the ingredients are well combined and light and airy.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, cream softened butter with brown and granulated sugars. Beat until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale, which takes about 3-4 minutes.

Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients

Incorporate eggs one at a time into the butter mixture, blending thoroughly after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir until a cohesive dough forms, being careful not to overmix.

Step 6: Add Flavor Boosters

• Butterscotch chips
• Crushed pretzels

Distribute ingredients evenly throughout the dough.

Step 7: Prepare Cookie Portions

Scoop rounded tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Space the cookies about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.

Step 8: Top with Crunchy Goodness

• Remaining crushed pretzels
• Flaky sea salt

This adds an extra layer of texture and flavor.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 10-12 minutes. Look for golden brown edges and slightly soft centers as your doneness indicator.

Step 10: Cool and Enjoy

Remove cookies from the oven and let them rest on the baking sheets for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before devouring these irresistible treats.

Tips for Salty-Sweet Butterscotch Cookie Perfection

• Crush Pretzels Perfectly: Use a rolling pin or food processor to create varied pretzel sizes, ensuring some larger chunks for better texture and crunch in your cookies.
• Prevent Dry Cookies: Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to help cookies maintain moisture and prevent spreading too thin on the baking sheet.
• Balance Salt Levels: Adjust sea salt quantity based on the saltiness of your pretzels to control the overall sodium content and flavor profile.
• Store Smart: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, placing a piece of bread inside to maintain softness and prevent staleness.
• Swap Ingredients Easily: Substitute butterscotch chips with caramel or toffee chips for a different flavor twist while maintaining the cookie's signature sweet-salty combination.

Flavor Combos That Elevate These Cookies

• Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Cookies: Replace butterscotch chips with caramel chips and add dark chocolate chunks for a rich, decadent version that balances sweet and salty flavors.
• Coconut Almond Pretzel Cookies: Swap half the pretzels with toasted coconut flakes and sliced almonds, creating a tropical-inspired cookie with extra crunch and nutty undertones.
• Peanut Butter Pretzel Cookies: Mix in creamy peanut butter to the base dough and use crushed peanut butter-filled pretzels for an intense, nutty cookie experience.
• White Chocolate Cranberry Pretzel Cookies: Incorporate white chocolate chips and dried cranberries alongside pretzels, offering a tangy and sweet combination with a satisfying crunch.

Snacks and Drinks That Match These Cookies

• Savor Sweet-Salty Harmony: Explore Delectable Pairings
• Brew Bold Coffee Match: Dark roast coffee amplifies the butterscotch's caramel notes and cuts through the cookie's sweetness, creating a perfect flavor balance.
• Elevate with Creamy Companion: Vanilla bean ice cream provides a cool, smooth contrast to the crunchy pretzels and adds luxurious richness to each bite.
• Craft Complementary Beverage: Salted caramel milkshake echoes the sea salt and butterscotch elements, transforming the cookie experience into a decadent dessert indulgence.
• Enhance with Nutty Sidekick: Toasted almond liqueur brings depth and warmth, harmonizing with the cookie's sweet-salty profile and offering a sophisticated adult twist.

How to Store Butterscotch Pretzel Cookies Right

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Keep at room temperature for up to 5 days, maintaining their crisp texture and delicious flavor.
• Wrap individual cookies or entire batch tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months, preserving their butterscotch and pretzel crunch. Thaw at room temperature for best results.
• Place cookies in sealed container away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Keep in cool, dry area to prevent moisture buildup and maintain cookie's crisp edges and delicate texture.
• Stack cookies in decorative tins or clear cellophane bags with ribbon. Include small piece of parchment between layers to protect delicate pretzels and prevent crumbling during transport.

Questions About Butterscotch Pretzel Cookies

• What gives these cookies their unique flavor profile?

The combination of butterscotch chips and crushed pretzels creates a perfect sweet and salty balance, with sea salt enhancing the overall taste complexity.

• Can I use different types of salt?

While flaky sea salt works best for topping, you can substitute with kosher salt, but avoid table salt as it might make the cookies too salty.

• How do I crush pretzels for the recipe?

Use a rolling pin or food processor to break pretzels into small, uneven pieces. Aim for a mix of fine crumbs and larger pretzel chunks for optimal texture.

• Is it important to cream butter and sugar thoroughly?

Yes, creaming for 3-4 minutes creates air pockets that help cookies become light and fluffy, ensuring a soft, tender texture in the final baked product.

Sea Salt Butterscotch Pretzel Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 37 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Scrumptious Sea Salt Butterscotch Pretzel Cookies blend sweet and salty flavors into an irresistible treat. Crisp pretzels and rich butterscotch chips create a delightful harmony that will satisfy your cookie cravings.

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Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp sea salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Mix-ins and Toppings:

• 1 cup butterscotch chips
• 1 1/2 cups crushed pretzels
• 1 tbsp flaky sea salt (for topping)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper, creating a smooth surface for even cookie placement.
2. Whisk flour, baking soda, and sea salt in a medium bowl until thoroughly combined and aerated.
3. Cream softened butter with brown and granulated sugars in a large mixing bowl until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
4. Incorporate eggs one at a time into the butter mixture, blending thoroughly after each addition, then mix in vanilla extract until smooth.
5. Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
6. Gently fold butterscotch chips and 1 cup of crushed pretzels into the cookie dough, distributing ingredients evenly.
7. Scoop rounded tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing cookies about 2 inches apart.
8. Sprinkle remaining crushed pretzels and flaky sea salt over the top of each cookie dough mound for added texture and flavor.
9. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges turn golden brown and centers appear slightly soft.
10. Remove from oven and let cookies rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

• Prevent overmixing the dough to maintain a tender, soft cookie texture that doesn’t become tough or dense.
• Ensure butter is at room temperature for smooth creaming and better sugar integration, creating a more uniform cookie base.
• Customize the recipe by swapping butterscotch chips with chocolate chips or adding chopped nuts for extra crunch and flavor variation.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, keeping a layer of parchment paper between each cookie to prevent sticking.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg