If you have a soft spot for a cookie that’s both comforting and packed with wholesome textures, you’re going to fall head over heels for this Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe. These cookies bring together the perfect balance of chewy oats, sweet raisins, warm cinnamon, and a buttery undertone that melts in your mouth. Whether you’re baking for a cozy day at home or need a reliable crowd-pleaser, this recipe delivers that nostalgic homemade charm with ease and flair.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe calls for simple, everyday ingredients that come together to create a cookie full of flavor, texture, and just the right amount of sweetness. Each ingredient plays a crucial role, from enriching the dough to adding that signature chew and warmth.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Provides a creamy base and moist texture for tender cookies.
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed: Adds deep molasses flavor and natural moisture for chewiness.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar: Brings crisp edges and balances the sweetness.
- 2 large eggs: Bind ingredients together and add richness.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: Enhances the cookie’s overall flavor with a sweet aromatic note.
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: The cookie’s structure—perfect for holding all those delicious mix-ins.
- 1 tsp baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and gives them a light texture.
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon: Adds warmth and spice that complements the raisins beautifully.
- 1/2 tsp salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies flavor depth.
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats: The star ingredient, lending hearty texture and wholesome goodness.
- 1 cup raisins: Provides bursts of juicy sweetness nestled in every bite.
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional): Adds a delightful crunch and nutty flavor if you like a bit of extra texture.
How to Make Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Setting up your workspace is simple but essential for smooth baking and easy cleanup!
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step traps air into your dough, helping the cookies rise just perfectly.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time to ensure even mixing, then stir in the vanilla extract. These wet ingredients bring richness and a lovely aromatic undertone to the cookie dough.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt. Mixing these dry ingredients evenly helps distribute the rising agent and spice for consistent flavor.
Step 5: Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet
Gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently just until combined. Overmixing can make the cookies tough, so be gentle here!
Step 6: Stir in Oats, Raisins, and Walnuts
Now, fold in the rolled oats, raisins, and walnuts if you’re using them. These add-ins are what make this Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe truly special, offering texture, sweetness, and a hint of crunch.
Step 7: Scoop and Bake
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges turn lightly golden and the centers set. For extra chewier cookies, pull them out a little early and let them finish cooking on the hot baking sheet.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Let your cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling time helps retain their chewy texture and makes them easier to handle.
How to Serve Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a light dusting of cinnamon sugar over warm cookies or a few extra plump raisins on top before baking can elevate the sweetness and visual appeal. For a grown-up twist, a drizzle of melted dark chocolate provides a luxurious finish.
Side Dishes
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies are wonderful paired with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of tea or coffee. For brunch or dessert, try them alongside vanilla ice cream or creamy yogurt for a delightful contrast of temperatures and textures.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress friends or family? Arrange cookies on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of extra raisins, nuts, and cinnamon sticks. Or serve them with little notes sharing your favorite memory connected to this Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe—making the experience even more special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your baked Oatmeal Raisin Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Layering them between sheets of parchment paper prevents sticking and retains their chewiness beautifully.
Freezing
You can freeze the cookie dough balls before baking or the fully baked cookies for later enjoyment. Wrap the dough tightly and freeze for up to three months. When ready, bake from frozen by adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
Warm your cookies in the oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes or microwave them for 15 seconds to revive that freshly-baked softness and gooey texture. It’s the quickest way to enjoy them like they just came out of the oven.
FAQs
Can I substitute raisins with other dried fruits?
Absolutely! Dried cranberries, chopped dates, or cherries work wonderfully to add a different but equally tasty sweetness to your Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe.
How do I make these cookies chewier?
For chewier cookies, try soaking the raisins in warm water for 10 minutes before adding them and slightly underbake the cookies so they finish cooking on the baking sheet. This retains moisture and softness.
Is it necessary to use both brown and granulated sugar?
Using both sugars balances texture and flavor—brown sugar adds moisture and a richer taste, while granulated sugar helps create those crisp, golden edges that contrast nicely with the chewy centers.
Can I make this recipe nut-free?
Yes! Simply leave out the chopped walnuts if you have nut allergies or prefer a nut-free cookie. The cookies will still be delicious and chewy without them.
How should I store the cookies to keep them fresh?
An airtight container at room temperature is best for maintaining freshness. Adding a slice of bread inside the container can help keep them soft for several days by retaining moisture.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly heartwarming about baking and sharing this classic Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe. It’s easy to make, full of texture, and a surefire way to bring smiles all around. I’m confident that once you try it, these cookies will become a cherished staple in your baking repertoire. So grab your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and enjoy every chewy, cinnamon-kissed bite!
Print
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This classic Oatmeal Raisin Cookies recipe delivers chewy, flavorful cookies packed with old-fashioned rolled oats, plump raisins, and a hint of cinnamon. Perfectly soft with lightly golden edges, these cookies are a delightful treat for dessert or snack time.
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 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
Add-ins
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined. This step ensures a tender and flavorful cookie.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time into the creamed mixture, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract for added depth of flavor.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt. This ensures even distribution of leavening and spices.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Fold in Oats, Raisins, and Walnuts: Stir in the rolled oats, raisins, and walnuts if using, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Scoop Dough onto Baking Sheet: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing each cookie about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set but still soft.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Soak the raisins in warm water for 10 minutes before using to make them extra plump and juicy.
- For chewier cookies, slightly underbake them and allow them to finish baking on the hot baking sheet after removal from the oven.
