What ingredients do I need to make classic oatmeal raisin cookies?

To make classic oatmeal raisin cookies, you’ll need butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, pure vanilla extract, salt, ground cinnamon, baking soda, molasses, all-purpose flour, old-fashioned rolled oats, and raisins. You can also add chopped toasted walnuts for extra crunch. These ingredients combine to give the cookies their chewy texture and rich flavor.

Why should I soak raisins before adding them to oatmeal cookie dough?

Soaking raisins in warm water makes them plump and soft, preventing them from drawing moisture from the cookie dough while baking. This helps the raisins stay juicy and improves the overall texture of the cookies, resulting in a more enjoyable bite.

How long and at what temperature should oatmeal raisin cookies be baked?

Bake oatmeal raisin cookies at 350°F (177°C) for 12 to 14 minutes. The edges should turn lightly golden brown while the centers may look slightly under-baked. This ensures the cookies stay soft and chewy once cooled, as they continue to set on the baking sheet.

Can I freeze oatmeal raisin cookie dough, and how do I bake it from frozen?

Yes, you can freeze unbaked cookie dough balls for up to three months. When ready to bake, place the frozen dough on a baking sheet and add an extra minute or two to the baking time. This allows you to bake fresh cookies anytime without thawing the dough.

Why is chilling the oatmeal raisin cookie dough important before baking?

Chilling the dough for 30 to 60 minutes firms it up, preventing the cookies from spreading too much in the oven. This step helps maintain the desired thick, chewy texture and enhances the flavor as the ingredients meld during chilling.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe With Soft Chewy Texture

Name: Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Prep time: PT-494145H51M26S
Cook time: 13 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: – 1 cup unsalted butter; – 1 cup packed light or dark brown sugar; – 1/4 cup granulated sugar; – 2 large eggs; – 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; – 1 tablespoon unsulphured or dark molasses (not blackstrap); – 1 and 2/3 cups all-purpose flour; – 1 teaspoon baking soda; – 1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; – 1/2 teaspoon salt; – 3 cups old-fashioned whole rolled oats; – 1 cup raisins (soaked in warm water for 10 minutes and dried); – 1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts

Ingredients

– 1 cup unsalted butter

– 1 cup packed light or dark brown sugar

– 1/4 cup granulated sugar

– 2 large eggs

– 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

– 1 tablespoon unsulphured or dark molasses (not blackstrap)

– 1 and 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

– 1 teaspoon baking soda

– 1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

– 1/2 teaspoon salt

– 3 cups old-fashioned whole rolled oats

– 1 cup raisins (soaked in warm water for 10 minutes and dried)

– 1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts

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Instructions

1-First, cream the softened butter and both sugars with a mixer until smooth, about 2 minutes. This step blends the flavors and creates a creamy base.

2-Next, add the eggs and mix on high until combined, about 1 minute, then stir in the vanilla extract and molasses until everything is well mixed.

3-In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients and mix on low until combined, keeping the dough thick and sticky. Now, stir in the oats, raisins, and walnuts if you’re using them, making sure they’re evenly distributed.

4-Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 to 60 minutes to help it firm up and prevent spreading. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll the dough into balls, about 2 tablespoons each, and place them 2 inches apart on the sheets. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes until the edges are lightly browned; the centers will look soft but will set as they cool.

5-Finally, let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks. Prep time is about 45 minutes including chilling, cook time is 13 minutes, and you’ll get around 26 to 30 cookies. If you want to explore more baking ideas, try our chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream for a fun twist.

Last Step:

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Notes

🥄 Use room temperature eggs for better mixing.
🍇 Soak raisins to make them plump and soft before adding to the dough.
❄️ Chilling the dough is key for texture and to prevent spreading; do not chill for more than two days.

Author: Brandi Oshea
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Chilling Time: 30 to 60 minutes
Cook Time: 13 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie