Best Ever Soft and Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe

Introduction

Best-Ever Oatmeal Raisin Cookies are a timeless treat with soft centers and chewy texture, blending hearty oats, sweet raisins, and warm spices. These classic bakery-style cookies offer a comforting, nostalgic flavor that makes them a favorite in homes and bakeries alike.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1½ cups raisins
• ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Step 2: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract and mix well.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
4. Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
5. Step 5: Stir in the oats, raisins, and nuts (if using) until evenly distributed.
6. Step 6: Cover and chill the dough for at least 30 minutes to help create thicker cookies (optional).
7. Step 7: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
8. Step 8: Scoop dough by rounded tablespoons onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
9. Step 9: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden and centers still look soft.
10. Step 10: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

• Use old-fashioned rolled oats for the best chewy texture.
• Slightly underbake the cookies to keep the centers soft and tender.
• Use fresh, plump raisins to enhance moisture and flavor.
• Avoid overmixing the dough to prevent dense cookies.
• Add chopped walnuts or pecans for a crunchy variation.
• Chill the dough before baking to help cookies hold their shape and become thicker.

Storage

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their softness for up to one week. To refresh slightly hardened cookies, warm them in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds before serving. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies in a sealed container for up to three months and thaw at room temperature.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I substitute quick oats for rolled oats?

While you can use quick oats, rolled oats are preferred because they provide better structure and chewiness. Quick oats tend to make cookies denser and less chewy.

How do I keep my oatmeal raisin cookies soft?

Use brown sugar to retain moisture, slightly underbake the cookies so the centers stay soft, and store them airtight. Letting the cookies finish setting on the baking sheet also helps preserve a tender texture.

Best Ever Soft and Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe

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Best-Ever Oatmeal Raisin Cookies are soft, chewy, and bakery-style treats featuring old-fashioned rolled oats, sweet raisins, and warm cinnamon. These cookies offer a perfect balance of chewy centers and crisp edges, making them a nostalgic and comforting homemade favorite that stays soft for days.

• Author: luca
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 42 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 36 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon salt

Mix-ins

• 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1½ cups raisins
• ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Instructions

1. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy to incorporate air for better texture.
2. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time to ensure proper binding, then mix in the vanilla extract for flavor.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt to evenly distribute leavening and spices.
4. Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture and stir until just combined to avoid overmixing, which could cause dense cookies.
5. Add Oats, Raisins, and Nuts: Fold in old-fashioned rolled oats, raisins, and optional chopped nuts until evenly incorporated to create the chewy texture and sweetness.
6. Chill Dough (Optional): Cover and chill the cookie dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to help the cookies hold a thicker shape during baking.
7. Prepare for Baking: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
8. Shape Cookies: Scoop dough by rounded tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing each about 2 inches apart to allow spreading.
9. Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden but the centers still appear soft to achieve a chewy texture.
10. Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes so they set before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

• Use old-fashioned rolled oats rather than quick oats for optimal chewy texture.
• Slightly underbake the cookies to keep the centers soft and tender.
• Choose fresh, plump raisins to enhance moisture and flavor.
• Avoid overmixing the dough to prevent dense, tough cookies.
• Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain softness for several days.

Keywords: oatmeal raisin cookies, soft cookies, chewy cookies, bakery style cookies, classic cookies, old-fashioned oats, homemade cookies