Name: Butterscotch Chip Chocolate Cookies
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 box Devil's Food Cake Mix (15.25 ounce size); ½ Cup Vegetable Oil; 2 Eggs; 2 Cups Butterscotch Chips; ½ Cup Finely Chopped Pecans (optional)

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There’s something extra sweet about a recipe pulled from an old handwritten card, and this one came straight from my best friend’s mom’s recipe box. She passed away about a year ago, so baking these Butterscotch Chip Chocolate Cookies feels like a small way to remember her. The card is soft and worn, written in her familiar handwriting, and every time I pull it out, it feels like she is right there in the kitchen with us.

A white lace-patterned plate with six chocolate cookies studded with peanut butter chips sits on a wooden surface, next to a blue cloth and a glass jar filled with milk.

These cookies have been around for years, the kind of treat that showed up at potlucks, church gatherings, and after school when everyone needed a little something sweet. They start with a simple Devil’s food cake mix, then come together with oil, eggs, chopped pecans, and butterscotch chips. They mix up fast, bake into soft, chocolatey cookies with little pops of sweet butterscotch, and somehow manage to feel both easy and really special at the same time.

Ingredients You Will Need

A wooden surface holds a bowl of butterscotch chips, a pouch of cocoa powder mix, a small dish of oil, two eggs, and a bowl of chopped nuts.

Devil’s Food Cake Mix: This is the base of the cookie. It gives you flour, cocoa, sugar, a little leavening, and salt all in one scoop. It creates that soft, chocolatey cookie without needing a bunch of separate ingredients.

Oil: Oil adds moisture and richness. It keeps the cookies soft and tender instead of dry or cakey.

Eggs: Eggs hold everything together. They give structure, help the cookies rise slightly, and add a little chewiness.

Chopped Pecans: Pecans add texture and a nutty flavor that balances the sweetness and the chocolate.

Butterscotch Chips: These add little pops of sweetness in every bite. They don’t melt into the dough, so you get pockets of smooth, sweet butterscotch throughout the cookies.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know when the cookies are done? They are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Mine took 10 minutes per batch, but oven temperatures vary slightly.

Why are my cookies dry? This usually means they were baked too long. Since cake mix cookies bake quickly, start checking around the 7 minute mark.

Can I skip the cake mix and make these from scratch? You can, but the texture won’t be quite the same. Cake mix gives these cookies that soft, almost brownie-like chew that’s hard to duplicate without it.

What’s the best way to keep them soft? Store them with a slice of bread or a small piece of tortilla in the container. The cookies absorb a little moisture and stay tender.

Can I mix the dough by hand? Yes. Cake mix cookie dough is easy to stir together with a wooden spoon or spatula. No mixer needed unless you prefer it.

A close-up of thick, chocolate-colored dough or batter inside a light blue mixing bowl, with some smears of the mixture on the sides. — Combine cake mix, oil, and eggs in a large mixing bowl.

A close-up of chocolate cookie dough mixed with peanut butter chips in a blue mixing bowl. — Stir in butterscotch chips and finely chopped pecans.

Helpful Tips

Check your oven temperature. Cake mix cookies bake fast, and an oven that runs hot can overbake them. If yours tends to run warm, reduce the temperature slightly.

Measure the oil accurately. A little too much or too little oil can change the texture.

Chop the pecans into small pieces. Smaller pieces distribute better and help the cookies hold together without breaking apart.

Nine scoops of chocolate cookie dough with orange butterscotch chips are spaced out on a baking sheet, ready to be baked. — Drop by tablespoonfuls onto cookie sheet.

Storage Tips

Store at room temperature in an airtight container. These cookies stay soft and tasty for about three to four days when sealed well.

Use layers with parchment or wax paper. If you’re stacking the cookies, place parchment between the layers to keep the butterscotch chips from sticking to each other.

Freeze for longer storage. Place baked cookies in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Freeze the dough for fresh-baked cookies anytime. Scoop the dough into balls, freeze them on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake straight from frozen and add a minute or two to the baking time.

Don’t refrigerate the baked cookies. Refrigeration tends to dry them out faster. Room temperature or frozen works best.

A plate of thick, chocolate cookies with golden butterscotch chips scattered throughout, arranged on a decorative white serving dish.

Substitutions and Variations

Swap the cake mix flavor. Try chocolate, German chocolate, or white cake mix for a slightly different twist.

Change up the chips. If you’re out of butterscotch chips, use peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, chocolate chips, or a mix of your favorites.

Use different nuts. Walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts all work well. You can also leave the nuts out entirely.

Add a sprinkle on top. Coarse sugar or a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on the dough balls before baking gives a pretty finish and extra flavor.

Add a drizzle. Once the cookies cool, drizzle melted chocolate or melted butterscotch chips over the top for a pretty finish.

A white plate holds six chocolate cookies with peanut butter chips, on a wooden surface. A blue cloth sits to the left, and a glass of milk is partially visible in the top right corner.

What to Serve with Butterscotch Chip Chocolate Cookies

If you’re planning a gathering, building a holiday spread, or just looking for delicious ways to round out dessert night, these Butterscotch Chip Chocolate Cookies fit in with just about anything. Here are some fun ideas to help you plan a full menu.

Appetizers

Start things off with something savory to balance the sweetness of the cookies.

Cheese and cracker platter with sharp cheddar, pepper jack, and sliced apples.
Spinach artichoke dip served warm with baguette slices.
Deviled eggs for a classic appetizer that always disappears fast.

Side Dishes

If your cookies are part of a bigger meal or dessert table, these sides pair well without overpowering anything.

Fruit salad with berries, grapes, and pineapple adds a fresh and juicy contrast.
Simple green salad with a light vinaigrette to keep things bright.
Cinnamon roasted sweet potatoes are lightly sweet, warm, and cozy.

Main Dishes

Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together or a holiday meal, these mains work well with a cookie filled dessert spread.

Chili or taco soup for a cozy, comforting dinner before dessert.
Slow cooker pulled pork for an easy main dish that feeds a crowd.
Chicken pot pie or shepherd’s pie for a warm and hearty meal that makes dessert feel even more special.

Drinks

A good drink makes a cookie taste even better. Here are some fun options.

Coffee or espresso, since chocolate and coffee are a perfect match.
Milk, because sometimes the classic choice really is the best.
Mulled cider for a warm, seasonal touch.

Other Desserts

If you’re building a dessert board or hosting a cookie exchange, here are some great treats to serve alongside your cookies.

Brownies, fudgy or cakey, either one works.
Lemon bars for a bright, tangy contrast.
Sugar cookies decorated for the holiday or season.

Other Recipes You May Enjoy

If you like Butterscotch Chip Chocolate Cookies, you might also like my Cake Mix Cookies or my Chocolate Pinwheel Cookies. These Oatmeal Scotchies are also delicious.

Final Thoughts

These Butterscotch Chip Chocolate Cookies aren’t fancy, but they disappear fast at my house. They’re easy to mix up, and every time I make them, I think of my best friend’s mom and her handwritten recipe card tucked safely in my recipe box. I hope you print this one, slide it into your own recipe box, and bake it for someone you love.