There is something truly magical about a classic homemade cookie, and this Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe stands out as a timeless favorite that combines wholesome oats, sweet raisins, and a touch of warm cinnamon. Each bite is a delightful harmony of chewy texture, subtle sweetness, and a nostalgic flavor that feels like a comforting hug from the oven. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just treating yourself to a cozy snack, these cookies never fail to bring a smile and satisfy those cookie cravings in the best way possible.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe uses straightforward ingredients that you might already have in your pantry. Each component plays a vital role in delivering that perfect balance of texture, sweetness, and a subtle hint of spice.
- Shortening or butter: Provides richness and a tender crumb to your cookies.
- Brown sugar (packed): Adds moisture and a deep caramel flavor that’s quintessential to oatmeal cookies.
- Sugar: Sweetens and helps with a slightly crisp edge on the cookie.
- Eggs: Bind everything together and contribute to the cookie’s structure.
- Water: Adds just enough moisture for the dough to come together smoothly.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors, giving a warm aroma to the cookies.
- Quick oats: The heart of the recipe, offering that signature chewy texture.
- All-purpose flour: Builds the cookie’s body and stability.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and lifts the flavors.
- Baking soda: A leavening agent that helps your cookies rise just right.
- Ground cinnamon: Infuses a warm, inviting spice throughout each cookie.
- Raisins: Provide bursts of natural sweetness and a delightful chew.
- Chopped walnuts or pecans (optional): Add a satisfying crunch and nutty flavor.
- Chocolate chips (optional): For a luscious melty surprise in every bite.
- Shredded coconut (optional): Brings a tropical twist and extra texture.
How to Make Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Start by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C). It’s important to preheat your oven so your cookies bake evenly from the moment you put them in, ensuring a perfect golden edge every time.
Step 2: Cream the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the shortening (or butter), brown sugar, sugar, eggs, water, and vanilla extract. Beat until the mixture turns light and fluffy—this aeration is key to giving your cookies a tender texture.
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the oats, all-purpose flour, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon. Mixing the spices and leavening agents with the dry ingredients ensures even distribution for consistent flavor and rise.
Step 4: Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring carefully until everything is fully combined. The dough will look thick and hearty—that’s exactly what you want for chewy oatmeal cookies.
Step 5: Add Raisins and Optional Add-Ins
Stir in the raisins along with any optional chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or shredded coconut you love. This is your chance to make the recipe your own, enhancing texture and flavor.
Step 6: Scoop the Dough
Drop spoonfuls of dough—about 1½ tablespoons each—onto ungreased baking sheets. Leave about 2 inches of space between cookies so they have room to spread and bake evenly.
Step 7: Bake the Cookies
Bake for 11 minutes, then carefully rotate the baking sheet and bake for an additional 4 minutes. This ensures your cookies are golden around the edges and perfectly chewy inside.
Step 8: Cool Before Enjoying
Allow your cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This rest time helps them set up and prevents breaking when you move them.
How to Serve Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of powdered sugar or a light drizzle of melted white chocolate can add a lovely finishing touch. If you want to elevate your cookies visually and flavor-wise, try a pinch of sea salt on top before serving. It complements the sweetness beautifully.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk, a warm cup of tea, or a frothy latte. Their hearty texture balances well with creamy and smooth beverages, making snack time feel like a cozy treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack your oatmeal raisin cookies on a rustic wooden board, or place them in a decorative tin with parchment paper for gifting. You can even sandwich two cookies with vanilla ice cream for a homemade dessert that will wow your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can keep leftover cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To keep the texture soft, adding a slice of bread to the container can help maintain moisture.
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully! Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet first, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll stay fresh for up to three months.
Reheating
For a just-baked taste after freezing, microwave cookies for 10-15 seconds or warm them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes. This little heat brings back that delightful chewiness and fresh-from-the-oven aroma.
FAQs
Can I use rolled oats instead of quick oats?
Yes, you can! Rolled oats will give your cookies a chewier and heartier texture compared to quick oats. Just keep in mind cooking times and texture might vary slightly.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
This recipe uses all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. To make gluten-free oatmeal raisin cookies, substitute the flour with a gluten-free blend and ensure your oats are certified gluten-free.
Can I omit the nuts or chocolate chips?
Absolutely! The nuts and chocolate chips are optional add-ins. You can easily leave them out or swap for other mix-ins like dried cranberries or seeds depending on your preference.
Why is there water in the dough?
Water helps hydrate the oats and flour, contributing to a soft, chewy cookie texture. It also keeps the dough pliable enough to mix thoroughly without making it too sticky.
How long do these cookies stay fresh?
Stored properly in an airtight container, the cookies will stay fresh at room temperature for about a week. For longer storage, freezing is your best option.
Final Thoughts
If you’re longing for a cookie that feels both nostalgic and nourishing, it’s time to try this Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe. It’s a beautifully balanced treat that’s easy to make, endlessly customizable, and guaranteed to become a beloved staple in your baking repertoire. So roll up your sleeves, gather these simple ingredients, and enjoy every warm, chewy bite!
Print
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 60 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delicious, classic oatmeal raisin cookies packed with chewy oats, sweet raisins, and optional add-ins like nuts, chocolate chips, or coconut. These golden-brown cookies are soft on the inside with a subtly crisp edge, perfect for snacking or dessert.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups shortening (or butter)
- 2 cups brown sugar (packed)
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup water
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 6 cups uncooked oats (quick oats)
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 ½ cups raisins
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- 1 cup chocolate chips (optional)
- 1 cup shredded coconut (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to preheat, ensuring it reaches the ideal baking temperature while you prepare the dough.
- Cream Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the shortening (or butter), brown sugar, sugar, eggs, water, and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which helps create a tender texture.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the quick oats, all-purpose flour, salt, baking soda, and ground cinnamon thoroughly to ensure even flavor distribution.
- Mix Dry and Wet: Gradually add the dry oat mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring steadily until a thick cookie dough forms with all ingredients fully incorporated.
- Add Mix-ins: Gently fold in the raisins plus any optional add-ins like chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or shredded coconut to your preference, making sure they are evenly spread throughout the dough.
- Form Cookies: Drop spoonfuls of the dough (approximately 1 ½ tablespoons each) onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing the cookies about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 11 minutes, then rotate the baking sheet for even baking and continue baking for an additional 4 minutes until the edges turn golden brown.
- Cool: Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheets for a few minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Use either shortening or butter depending on your preference; butter will add a richer flavor, while shortening contributes to softer texture.
- Quick oats are recommended for the best texture but old-fashioned oats can be used for a chewier cookie.
- Optional add-ins like nuts, chocolate chips, or coconut enhance the cookie’s flavor and texture but can be omitted for a more classic oatmeal raisin cookie.
- Spacing cookies properly on baking sheets prevents them from merging during baking.
- For a sweeter variation, increase the amount of chocolate chips or add white chocolate chips.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week or freeze for longer storage.
