If you’re on the hunt for a truly comforting, chewy, and beautifully spiced treat, look no further than this delightful Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe. These cookies are the perfect blend of hearty oats, juicy raisins, and just the right touch of cinnamon and vanilla. Whether you’re baking for a cozy afternoon snack, a family gathering, or to satisfy a sweet craving, these cookies deliver timeless flavor with every bite. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll quickly become a beloved classic in your baking repertoire.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe lies in the simplicity and quality of its ingredients. Each item plays a key role in creating that mouth-watering texture and flavor that makes these cookies unforgettable.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): Provides rich creaminess and helps create that tender crumb.
- Brown sugar (1 cup, packed): Adds deep molasses flavor and keeps the cookies moist.
- Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Balances sweetness and encourages slight crispness around the edges.
- Large eggs (2): Bind all ingredients and add structure to the dough.
- Vanilla extract (1 tsp): Enhances overall flavor with its warm sweetness.
- Rolled oats (2 cups): The heart of the cookie, bringing a chewy texture and wholesome taste.
- All-purpose flour (1 1/2 cups): Gives the cookies their shape and helps them hold together perfectly.
- Baking soda (1/2 tsp): Works as a gentle leavening agent for lightness.
- Ground cinnamon (1/2 tsp): Adds a cozy, fragrant spice that complements the oats and raisins.
- Salt (1/4 tsp): Balances sweetness and deepens flavor complexity.
- Raisins (1 1/2 cups): Juicy bursts of natural sweetness scattered throughout every cookie.
How to Make Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your oven is just right once your dough is ready to bake. Grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Cream Together Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy. This step is critical because it incorporates air that helps your cookies rise and develop great texture.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully combined before adding the next. Then stir in the vanilla extract, which brings a wonderful warmth and ties all the flavors together beautifully.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Mixing these separately helps distribute the leavening and spices evenly throughout the dough for consistent flavor and perfect rise.
Step 5: Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet
Gradually add your flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until everything is combined. Overmixing can make the cookies tough, so keep it gentle for the best texture.
Step 6: Fold in Rolled Oats and Raisins
Now comes the exciting part! Fold in the oats and raisins gently and evenly, ensuring each bite will have that wholesome chewiness and sweet bursts from the fruit.
Step 7: Portion and Bake
Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop dollops of dough about 2 inches apart onto your prepared baking sheet. This spacing allows the cookies to spread evenly without merging together. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn golden brown but centers remain soft.
Step 8: Cool Before Enjoying
Once baked, let your cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes to set up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps achieve the ideal chewy yet slightly crisp texture.
How to Serve Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A light sprinkle of cinnamon sugar just before baking or a subtle dusting of powdered sugar after cooling can add an elegant touch and enhance the cozy flavors.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk, a cozy cup of tea, or rich coffee to balance their sweet, chewy goodness. For a fun twist, serve alongside vanilla ice cream for a classic dessert duo.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking them with layers of cream cheese frosting for cookie sandwiches, or chop and sprinkle over yogurt or oatmeal for a delightful crunch and flavor boost. You can also gift-wrap a batch in a pretty tin—friends and family will be thrilled!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Adding a slice of bread to the container helps maintain moisture for that perfect soft texture.
Freezing
If you want to make a big batch for later, freeze the baked cookies in a zip-top bag or container. Separate layers with parchment paper to avoid sticking. They will keep well for up to three months.
Reheating
To enjoy your frozen cookies like freshly baked, warm them in a microwave for about 10-15 seconds or pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes. This brings back that delightful softness and aroma.
FAQs
Can I substitute the raisins with other dried fruits?
Absolutely! Dried cranberries, chopped dates, or even chopped dried apricots work wonderfully in this recipe. Just keep the quantity roughly the same for balanced flavor and texture.
Do I need to soak the raisins before adding them?
It’s not necessary to soak the raisins for this cookie recipe. They bake nicely directly into the dough, providing juicy bursts without extra prep.
Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?
Rolled oats are best for texture, but quick oats can be used in a pinch. Just expect a slightly softer cookie since quick oats absorb moisture differently.
How do I make these cookies gluten-free?
Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free all-purpose blend that includes xanthan gum. The oats are naturally gluten-free but check the packaging to ensure they are certified gluten-free if sensitivity is a concern.
Can I add nuts to this recipe?
Yes! Chopped walnuts or pecans add a wonderful crunch and complement the flavors beautifully. Add about 1 cup along with the oats and raisins.
Final Thoughts
There’s something deeply satisfying about baking and sharing warm Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe with loved ones. This timeless recipe brings out the best in simple ingredients and creates moments filled with sweetness and comfort. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, I warmly encourage you to give these cookies a try—they truly become a treasured favorite with every batch.
Print
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These classic Oatmeal Raisin Cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with wholesome rolled oats and sweet raisins. Perfectly spiced with cinnamon and balanced with a hint of vanilla, these cookies are baked to golden perfection with edges crisp and centers tender, making them a delightful treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
Add-ins
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 1/2 cups raisins
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking sheet by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next, then mix in the vanilla extract to enhance the flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and spices.
- Mix Dry into Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter and sugar mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing which can make cookies tough.
- Fold in Oats and Raisins: Carefully fold in the rolled oats and raisins until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough, ensuring each cookie will have a good balance of texture and sweetness.
- Portion Dough: Drop spoonfuls of the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading during baking.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown but the centers remain soft, indicating perfectly baked cookies.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes so they firm up slightly before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, preventing them from becoming soggy.
Notes
- For chewier cookies, slightly underbake by reducing baking time by 1-2 minutes.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days for maximum freshness.
- Raisins can be substituted with chocolate chips or dried cranberries for variation.
- Ensure butter is softened, not melted, for proper creaming with sugars.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
