Homemade Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe

There is something deeply nostalgic about a batch of warm oatmeal raisin cookies. These homemade cookies are indeed comfort food, with a perfect balance of chewy oats, sweet raisins, and just a hint of cinnamon. Bake them for a family gathering, an after-school snack, or just to enjoy with a cup of tea, and these cookies bring that little extra something to brighten up your day. In this article, I will speak about something very important to know while making these classic cookies and give some tips on how to make them even tastier.

The Story Behind My Favorite Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Oatmeal raisin cookies were a staple in my household growing up. My mom would make a batch on chilly weekends, filling the house with the cozy aroma of cinnamon and baking oats. I remember sneaking spoonfuls of cookie dough when she wasn’t looking and eagerly watching the oven as the cookies baked to a perfect golden brown. Every bite of these cookies reminds me of those simpler times. Over the years, I’ve played around with the recipe, but nothing quite beats this classic version that always takes me back to those cherished moments.

Gathering Your Ingredients: What You’ll Need

To create the perfect oatmeal raisin cookies, the ingredient list is straightforward and likely includes pantry staples. Here’s what you’ll need:

Raisins: Raisins bring a pop of sweetness and chewiness to each bite. If you’re not a raisin fan, feel free to swap them with chocolate chips, dried cranberries, or nuts for a different twist.

Butter: For that classic rich flavor, unsalted butter is best. You’ll want it softened to room temperature for easy mixing.

Sugars: A mix of brown sugar and granulated sugar creates just the right balance of sweetness and chewy texture. Brown sugar, in particular, adds a caramel-like depth and moistness to the cookies.

Eggs and Vanilla: Eggs are essential for binding the dough, while vanilla extract adds a warm, fragrant note that complements the oats and raisins.

Dry Ingredients: Flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon are the core dry ingredients. Cinnamon enhances the flavor and adds a touch of warmth, while the baking soda helps the cookies rise slightly, giving them that soft yet substantial texture.

Oats: Old-fashioned rolled oats are a must! These add the classic chewy texture that defines oatmeal cookies, absorbing just the right amount of moisture.

Creating the Perfect Cookie Dough

Oatmeal raisin cookies start off with creaming the butter and the sugars together. The creaming itself is very important since it joins these ingredients and incorporates air inside the dough, rendering the cookies soft and light.

Next, beat in the eggs one at a time followed by a little bit of vanilla extract. Mix those eggs in very slowly, allowing each egg to completely mix into the butter mixture. This prevents lumps from occurring and keeps the dough smooth.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Whisking these dry ingredients in a separate bowl removes lumps of baking soda and cinnamon in the dough and helps the cookie bake properly. Add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients in three parts, stirring only until just combined-over mixing will make the cookie more dense.

Mix in the oats and raisins at the end of the mixing process until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. That way, in every cookie, a proper amount of both chewy oats and sweet raisins will be found.

Shaping and Baking the Cookies

For the oatmeal raisin cookies, mix together the butter and sugars first. Mixing at this step is very important, not only because it incorporates the products but also because it adds air in the dough, giving it that soft and light texture.

Then, add the eggs one by one, followed by adding a little vanilla extract. Add eggs slowly so that with each addition, it gets properly incorporated into the mix of butter. This avoids the formation of lumps and results in a smooth dough.

In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Whisking the dry ingredients in a separate bowl prevents lumps of baking soda and cinnamon entering into the dough and also contributes for even baking of the cookies. Combine dry mixture with wet ingredients gradually; mix just till combined-over mixing will toughen the cookie.

Finally, add the oats and raisins; mix them in thoroughly so that they are well distributed in the dough. That way, each cookie will have the correct proportion of chewy oat and sweet raisin.
Take the cookies out of the oven and let them stay on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, just until they become firm enough to be safely transferred to a wire rack to cool down completely. Cooling cookies completely keeps them from getting too soft, or worse, breaking.

Letting the Cookies Cool

Dessert Information

• Servings: Makes about 24 cookies
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cooking Time: 15 minutes per batch
• Calories: Approximately 120 kcal per cookie

Bonus Tips for the Best Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

1. Use Fresh, Quality Ingredients: Because this recipe has only a few key ingredients, their quality makes a big difference. Fresh, plump raisins and high-quality vanilla extract really enhance the cookies’ flavor.
2. Soak the Raisins: For extra plump and juicy raisins, try soaking them in warm water for about 10 minutes before adding them to the dough. Be sure to drain them well before mixing them in.
3. Don’t Overbake: These cookies will continue to bake on the sheet even after you’ve removed them from the oven. Take them out when the edges are golden, but the centers are still soft. This will keep them chewy and tender.
4. Adjust for Texture: For a softer cookie, reduce the oats by half a cup. For extra crunch, add in chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans along with the raisins.

Serving Suggestions

Oatmeal raisin cookies are wonderful on their own, but you can elevate the experience with a few simple serving ideas:

• Milk Pairing: Enjoy these cookies with a cold glass of milk for a classic pairing. The milk’s mild sweetness complements the oats and raisins beautifully.
• Cookie Sandwich: Spread a layer of cream cheese or nut butter between two cookies for a sweet treat that feels indulgent.
• Ice Cream Pairing: For a fun twist, serve these cookies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side, or even make ice cream cookie sandwiches for an extra-special treat.

Now It’s Your Turn in the Kitchen

There’s nothing quite like the comfort of a homemade oatmeal raisin cookie, fresh from the oven.

This recipe nails the classic, with every mouthful filled with a perfect balance of chewy oats, sweet raisins, and a hint of cinnamon. Best treats for family gatherings and even cozying up to those cold nights at home. Love oatmeal raisin cookies, or is chocolate chip calling your name? Give this a try and let me know in the comments how it turns out! And don’t forget to pin this recipe on your favorite cookie board so you can make it over and over.

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