If you have a hankering for a classic cookie that brings both heartwarming nostalgia and wholesome delight, this Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need. These cookies strike the perfect balance between chewy and soft, loaded with hearty oats, plump raisins, and a gentle hint of cinnamon that wakes up your taste buds. Whether fresh out of the oven or paired with a glass of cold milk, they bring a cozy, homemade vibe that’s hard to resist. I’m thrilled to share this beloved recipe with you because it’s as reliable as it is delicious, guaranteed to fill your kitchen with the ultimate comforting aroma.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients is a breeze, yet each plays a starring role in creating that flawless oatmeal raisin cookie texture and flavor. From the creamy butter that brings richness to the dough, to the oats that add that inviting chew, every element is essential to crafting these timeless cookies.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): Makes the cookies tender and adds a rich, buttery flavor; be sure it’s softened for easy mixing.
- Brown sugar (1 cup, packed): Provides moisture and a subtle molasses undertone, perfect for depth of flavor.
- Granulated sugar (½ cup): Adds necessary sweetness and helps create a slight crisp edge.
- Large eggs (2): Bind ingredients together for structure and contribute to softness.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances overall flavor with a warm, sweet aroma that makes cookies irresistible.
- All-purpose flour (1 ½ cups): The base that gives the cookies body while balancing moisture.
- Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise just right, ensuring they’re fluffy but not cakey.
- Cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Adds a cozy spice note that works beautifully with raisins and oats.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Balances sweetness and lifts the other flavors perfectly.
- Old-fashioned rolled oats (3 cups): For that classic, chewy texture and wholesome bite.
- Raisins (1 cup): Bursts of natural sweetness that make each bite a little surprise of fruity joy.
How to Make Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your cookies bake evenly from the moment they go in. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a snap.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step traps air to give your cookies a lovely lift and gentle texture.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, which helps to combine the dough evenly without curdling. Then stir in the vanilla extract for that fragrant, sweet warmth that enhances every bite.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
Whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a separate bowl. This ensures that all the leavening and spices are evenly distributed, so every cookie bites with consistent flavor.
Step 5: Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, so gently fold until you see no dry streaks remaining.
Step 6: Stir in Oats and Raisins
Fold in the oats and raisins carefully so that they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. This gives you that signature chewy texture with sweet bursts in every bite.
Step 7: Scoop the Dough onto Baking Sheet
Use a rounded tablespoon to drop dollops of dough about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheet. Giving space allows the cookies to spread beautifully without sticking to each other.
Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, or until their edges turn a warm golden brown. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely—this helps them firm up just right.
How to Serve Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies shine on their own, sprinkling a tiny pinch of cinnamon sugar on top right after baking adds a lovely sparkle and extra flavor boost. Alternatively, a light drizzle of melted dark chocolate can elevate them to a fancy treat without overshadowing the classic taste.
Side Dishes
Oatmeal raisin cookies pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk or a steaming cup of chai tea. Their balancing sweetness makes them perfect after-dinner snacks or afternoon pick-me-ups alongside your favorite hot beverage.
Creative Ways to Present
Try sandwiching these cookies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or peanut butter cream for an irresistible dessert treat. For a party, arrange them on a rustic wooden board with fresh fruit and nuts, turning your cookie offering into a charming centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After your cookies have cooled fully, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and chewy for up to a week, making them a perfect make-ahead treat to enjoy at any time.
Freezing
You can freeze baked cookies in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to three months. To freeze the dough instead, shape it into balls, freeze on a tray until solid, then transfer to a bag; bake from frozen adding a couple of extra minutes in the oven.
Reheating
Warm your cookies in a microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes to refresh that just-baked softness and gooey goodness. This little step makes all the difference when enjoying leftovers.
FAQs
Can I substitute raisins with other dried fruits?
Absolutely! Try dried cranberries, cherries, or chopped dates for a fun twist. Each will bring its own unique flavor and sweetness to the cookies.
Should I use old-fashioned oats or quick oats?
Old-fashioned rolled oats work best here because they maintain that satisfying chewy texture and hold shape well during baking, unlike quick oats which can make the cookies more crumbly.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, just swap out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free all-purpose blend. Be sure it contains xanthan gum for structure, and your cookies will turn out just as delicious.
How do I make these cookies softer or chewier?
For softer, chewier cookies, take them out of the oven right when the edges start to turn golden and the centers still look slightly underbaked—they will continue to firm up as they cool.
Can I add nuts to this oatmeal raisin cookies recipe?
Definitely! Chopped walnuts or pecans are excellent additions that complement the warmth of cinnamon and the sweetness of raisins, adding an extra crunch to every bite.
Final Thoughts
This Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe has been a cherished classic in my kitchen, and I’m so excited for you to give it a try. It’s perfect for lazy weekends, gifting to friends, or simply satisfying a sweet tooth with wholesome ingredients you can trust. Once you bake your first batch, I promise it’ll become one of your favorite go-to cookie recipes, too.
Print
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Classic oatmeal raisin cookies featuring a perfect balance of chewy oats, sweet raisins, and warm cinnamon, baked to golden perfection for a comforting homemade treat.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup raisins
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar with a mixer until light and fluffy, which helps create a tender texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time to ensure proper mixing, then stir in the vanilla extract for added flavor depth.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and spices.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Add Oats and Raisins: Stir in the rolled oats and raisins until they are evenly incorporated throughout the dough.
- Shape Cookies: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake: Bake for 10–12 minutes or until the cookie edges turn golden brown, then cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For chewier cookies, slightly underbake them by removing from the oven at 10 minutes.
- You can substitute raisins with dried cranberries or chocolate chips if preferred.
- Ensure butter is softened to room temperature to achieve the proper creaming texture.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
