Easy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
These easy oatmeal raisin cookies are all about a perfect balance of textures and flavors. They are buttery and soft with beautifully crispy edges for an absolute treat in every bite.
Table of Contents
Many oatmeal raisin cookie recipes result in cookies that spread out too much or end up too flat. But not these cookies! They have the perfect balance of flour and oats, which helps them keep their fluffy and soft texture without flattening out too much when they cool.
If you’re a fan of oatmeal cookies, you’ll also love my oatmeal crispies and no-bake oatmeal cookies. Or, for a twist, try my recipe for peanut butter oatmeal bars. They’re all delicious and easy to make at home.
This recipe was found in the cookbook I have, that is published with treasured recipes from local Amish families. They pulled their favorites together and have shared these lovely recipes with their neighbors and now with you. This is my go-to oatmeal raisin cookie recipe. I’ve made it countless times, and it always turns out perfect.
Why I Love This Recipe
- I think this recipe is a piece of cake – or should I say, a cookie! It’s so easy to put together, even for beginner bakers.
- This recipe sticks to the classic combination of oats and raisins, making it a timeless favorite.
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Key Ingredients and Substitutions
- Butter: This is the star of the show, giving our cookies a rich, buttery flavor and a soft, chewy texture.
- Brown Sugar: It adds a deep, caramel-like sweetness and helps to make the cookies moist.
- Granulated Sugar: This will sweeten the cookies and also help them to spread and become slightly crispy on the edges.
- Eggs: They act as a binder, holding the ingredients together, and also add moisture to the cookies.
- Vanilla Extract: It enhances the overall flavor of the cookies, giving them a warm, sweet aroma.
- All-Purpose Flour: This is the base of the cookies, providing structure.
- Quick Oats: They give the cookies a hearty, chewy texture and a subtle nutty flavor.
- Raisins: They add a natural sweetness and a chewy texture to the cookies, as well as a pop of flavor.
- Variations/Substitutions: If you’re a fan of chocolate, try adding a cup of chocolate chips to the dough along with the raisins for a delicious twist on this classic recipe. For some added crunch, mix in a cup of your favorite chopped nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, along with the raisins. This will give your cookies a deliciously nutty flavor.
How to Make Easy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Preparation
Start by preheating your oven to 350˚ F. This will make sure that it’s at the right temperature when you’re ready to bake your cookies.
Step 1 – Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, combine the softened butter with both the brown and granulated sugar. Beat them together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This will take about 2 minutes.
Step 2 – Add the Eggs and Vanilla
Once the sugar and butter are well combined, add the eggs and vanilla extract. Mix these ingredients well until they are fully incorporated into the butter and sugar mixture.
Step 3 – Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt. Once these dry ingredients are well combined, add them to the butter and sugar mixture. Stir until everything is fully incorporated.
Step 4 – Add the Oats and Raisins
Next, add the old-fashioned oats and the raisins to the mixture. Stir these in until they are evenly distributed and well combined with the rest of the dough.
Step 5 – Form the Cookies
Using a heaping tablespoon or a cookie scoop, drop the cookie dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Make sure to leave enough space between each cookie for them to spread out while baking.
Step 6 – Bake the Cookies
Place the cookie sheet in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 8-12 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the edges start to turn lightly brown. Be careful not to overbake them.
Step 7 – Cool and Enjoy
Once the cookies are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack. After they’ve cooled, they’re ready to enjoy.
Lynette’s Tip
To ensure your oatmeal raisin cookies have that perfect soft interior, be careful not to overbake them. Start by baking for 8 minutes and then check for doneness. If they’re not quite done, rotate your cookie sheet and bake for an additional 2 minutes. You’re looking for a slight golden browning on the edges of the cookie. They may still look a little soft in the middle, but that’s okay.
Recipe FAQs
For this recipe, it’s best to use quick oats. They are slightly more processed than old-fashioned oats, which helps give the cookies a more uniform and less chewy texture.
Absolutely! This recipe is very versatile. Feel free to add in chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even some shredded coconut. Just be mindful not to add too many mix-ins, or it could make the dough difficult to work with.
The key to soft and chewy oatmeal raisin cookies is to not over-bake them. They may seem a little underdone when you take them out of the oven, but they will continue to set as they cool.
Make Ahead Instructions
To make your cookies ahead of time, simply make them as directed, allow them to cool, and then freeze them. You can do so for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, let it thaw at room temperature for a few hours.
Storing and Reheating
- Storing: After enjoying your delicious cookies, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Freezing: These cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months. Once the cookies have cooled completely, place them in a single layer in a freezer-friendly bag or container. To prevent sticking, you can separate the layers with parchment paper. Thaw the cookies at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy them. They’ll be just as delicious as the day you baked them.
More Oatmeal Recipes You’ll Enjoy
Easy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Equipment
- cookie scoop
- hand mixer or stand mixer
Ingredients
- 14 Tablespoons butter softened
- ¾ Cup brown sugar packed
- ½ Cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ Cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 Cups quick oats
- 1 Cup raisins
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350˚ F.
- In a large bowl, beat together the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar for about 2 minutes or until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well.
- Add the flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon and salt and mix in. Add the oats and raisins and mix until well incorporated.
- Drop by a heaping Tablespoon or use a cookie scoop to drop dough onto an un-greased cookie sheet.
- Bake for 8-12 minutes or until the edges turn lightly brown. Do not over bake. Remove from cookie sheet and let cool on cooling rack.
Notes
My Favorite Variations
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- Chocolate Chips: If you’re a fan of chocolate, try adding a cup of chocolate chips to the dough along with the raisins for a delicious twist on this classic recipe.
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- Cookie Bars: Instead of dropping the dough onto a cookie sheet, press it into an ungreased 13×9 baking pan and bake for 30-35 minutes for a chewy, oatmeal raisin cookie bar.
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- Nuts: For some added crunch, mix in a cup of your favorite chopped nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, along with the raisins. This will give your cookies a deliciously nutty flavor.
