These chewy butterbeer cookies are made from scratch without pudding mix or boxed cake mix. Butterscotch chips add that classic buttery, caramelized flavor, just like the magical drink from Harry Potter, with optional frosting reminiscent of the drink's foam.
The Most Magical (and Tasty) Butterbeer Cookies!
Inspired by the sweet butterscotch-flavored drink called butterbeer from Harry Potter, I created these chunky butterbeer cookies. Each gigantic cookie is topped with butterbeer frosting, reminiscent of a glass of butterbeer topped with its classic foam. They're perfect for a common room party or Harry Potter movie marathon!
The dough gets shaped then frozen for at least an hour to ensure they bake up chunky and soft. Sometimes I mix up & freeze a batch, then just bake a few at a time to have fresh cookies as quickly as I would with a summoning charm. Best of all, they stay soft and chewy for up to a whole week!
Ever since I was a kid, I've been obsessed with Harry Potter. And I jump at any chance to bring the wizarding world to life through food! For more recipes inspired by the Harry Potter series that I've been brewing over the years, try my Pumpkin Pasties and Bangers & Mash.
Let's Bake Butterbeer Cookies Together!
My Tips for the Chewiest Cookies
- Freeze the Dough: By allowing the dough balls to freeze before baking them, they come out thicker and chewier since they take longer to heat up & spread less.
- Gently Shape: Instead of firmly rolling and pressing your cookie dough into balls, I just gently pat the dough together in a rough ball so it doesn't get too compacted.
- Don't Overbake: In testing, pulling the cookies out to the oven as soon as the bottom edges got golden kept the centers nice and chewy, so lean on the side of underbaking.
Butterbeer Cookies Recipe
developed & tested by:
Equipment
Ingredients
Butterbeer Cookies
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed (2 sticks)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 eggs (whisked separately in a small bowl)
- 1 teaspoon butterscotch or butter extract
Butterbeer Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature (1 stick)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon butterscotch extract or butter extract
Instructions
Butterbeer Cookies
- In a large mixing bowl, add the cold cubed butter and break it up for 30 seconds with a large wooden spoon or with the paddle attachment in a stand mixer.
- Add the granulated sugar and brown sugar. Mix for 1 minute until the sugar is distributed and coats the butter.
- Add the butterscotch chips and mix for another 30 seconds to distribute them throughout the mixture.
- Add the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking soda. Mix for about 1 to 2 minutes, until the mixture forms fine crumbs. It's okay if there still a few larger chunks.
- Add the whisked eggs and butterscotch or butter extract. Mix just until the dough comes together, for about 1 minute. It should still be chunky and not entirely smooth, but holds is shape when squeezed in your hand.
- Gently press the dough into 12 evenly-shaped balls and spread them out on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat. Freeze the dough balls for at least an hour.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the cookies for 15 to 20 minutes, just until the bottom edges become golden.
Butterbeer Frosting
- Beat the softened butter either in a large mixing bowl with an electric hand whisk or wooden spoon, or in the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. Beat for about 2 to 3 minutes, until the butter is pale yellow and fluffy.
- Add the powdered sugar and butterscotch or butter extract. Continue mixing until it forms a soft, fluffy frosting. This usually takes around 3 to 4 minutes.
- Let the cookies cool for at least 20 minutes, then add the frosting on top with a butterknife or small spatula. Enjoy!!
Notes
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. They freeze best without the frosting on top.
Azilde Elizabeth says
Yum! I'm adding this to my holiday cookie recipes! 🤤
Jessica says
Saving!! You have the BEST recipes!
Humbly Homemade says
Aww thank you! I'm catching up on comments, I'm sorry I'm replying to this so late! lol Let me know if you make these cookies!!