Best Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe

This classic Oatmeal Raisin Cookie recipe delivers perfectly chewy centers with slightly crisp edges in every bite. The combination of warm cinnamon, aromatic cloves, and plump raisins creates a nostalgic treat that’s impossible to resist. Ready in just 20 minutes from start to finish, these cookies are the perfect solution for last-minute dessert cravings or when you need a comforting sweet treat to brighten your day.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Perfectly Balanced Texture: These cookies nail that ideal balance between chewy centers and slightly crisp edges that make oatmeal cookies so irresistible.
• Plump, Juicy Raisins: The technique of soaking raisins transforms them from merely good to absolutely extraordinary – no dry, hard raisins here!
• Nostalgic Flavor: The warm spice blend takes you straight back to grandma’s kitchen with every bite.
• Quick Preparation: From mixing bowl to mouth in about 20 minutes – perfect for satisfying sudden cookie cravings.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Shortening: Creates the perfect texture and keeps cookies soft for days. Unlike butter, it doesn’t spread as much during baking.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create those slightly crisp edges we all love.
• Eggs: Act as binders and add richness to the cookie dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the other flavors in the cookie. Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
• All-purpose Flour: The foundation of our cookies. No need for fancy flours here!
• Old Fashion Oats: Provides that characteristic chewy texture. Don’t substitute quick oats as they’ll give a different texture.
• Baking Soda: Our leavening agent that helps the cookies rise slightly while baking.
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
• Ground Cloves: Adds a subtle warmth and depth that makes these cookies stand out from basic recipes.
• Cinnamon: The quintessential oatmeal cookie spice that brings warmth and comfort.
• Raisins: The star ingredient! Soaking them makes them exceptionally plump and juicy.

Variations

Want to customize these classic cookies? Here are some delicious ways to make them your own:

• Mix-In Magic: Add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans for a wonderful textural contrast.
• Chocolate Lover’s Dream: Fold in 1/2 cup chocolate chips along with the raisins for a delightful twist.
• Cranberry Orange: Substitute dried cranberries for raisins and add 1 tablespoon of orange zest for a bright, tangy variation.
• Spice It Up: Add 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg or cardamom to the spice mix for an extra dimension of flavor.

How to Make the Best Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Raisins

Preheat your oven to 375°F and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. Place your raisins in a small bowl, cover with 1/2 cup water, and microwave for 90 seconds. This plumping technique is the secret to incredibly moist, flavorful cookies!

Step 2: Create the Base

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the shortening and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This incorporates air into the mixture, which helps create the perfect texture. Add the eggs and vanilla, beating until everything is well combined and smooth.

Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, baking soda, salt, cloves, and cinnamon until evenly distributed. This ensures your spices are evenly distributed throughout the cookies.

Step 4: Combine Everything

Add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture along with the raisin water (don’t drain those raisins!). Stir just until combined – overmixing will develop the gluten and make your cookies tough. Fold in those plump, juicy raisins.

Step 5: Scoop and Bake

Drop generous tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges are just barely turning golden. They might look slightly underdone in the center, but they’ll continue cooking on the hot baking sheet.

Step 6: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. If you can wait that long!

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Don’t Skip the Raisin Soak: This is what transforms ordinary oatmeal raisin cookies into extraordinary ones! The plumped raisins and their flavorful soaking liquid add moisture and concentrated flavor.
• Check Your Dough Consistency: If your dough seems dry, add an extra tablespoon of water at a time until it reaches the right consistency.
• Watch Carefully While Baking: These cookies go from perfect to overdone quickly. Start checking at 7 minutes, especially if your oven runs hot.
• Use a Cookie Scoop: For uniform cookies that bake evenly, a medium cookie scoop is invaluable.

How to Serve

These versatile cookies shine in multiple settings:

Simple Enjoyment

Serve with a cold glass of milk for the ultimate classic pairing. The warmth of the spices and the coolness of the milk create a perfect balance.

Elevated Dessert

Transform these cookies into an impressive dessert by sandwiching vanilla ice cream between two cookies for a homemade ice cream sandwich.

Gift-Worthy

Pack these in a decorative tin or cellophane bag tied with ribbon for a heartfelt homemade gift that anyone would treasure.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your cookies fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To maintain maximum freshness, place a slice of bread in the container – the cookies will absorb the moisture from the bread and stay wonderfully soft.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully! Freeze baked cookies in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer-safe container with parchment between layers. They’ll keep for up to 3 months.

Make-Ahead Dough

The dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days before baking. You can also form cookie dough balls and freeze them on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the baking time.

FAQs

Can I use butter instead of shortening?
Yes, you can substitute butter for a more pronounced flavor, but be aware that your cookies will spread more during baking and have a slightly different texture. If using butter, consider chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking.

Why do you soak the raisins?
Soaking the raisins plumps them up and prevents them from drawing moisture from the cookie during baking. This results in softer, moister cookies with juicy raisins instead of hard, dry ones. The soaking liquid also adds incredible flavor to the dough.

Can I make these cookies bigger or smaller?
Absolutely! Just adjust the baking time accordingly. Smaller cookies might need only 6-7 minutes, while larger ones could take 10-12 minutes. Always look for that slight golden color at the edges as your indicator.

My cookies turned out hard, what went wrong?
The most common culprit is overbaking. These cookies should be removed from the oven when the edges are just barely golden, and the centers still look slightly underdone. They’ll continue to set up as they cool on the baking sheet.

Final Thoughts

These Oatmeal Raisin Cookies represent comfort in its purest form – simple ingredients transformed into something truly special through a few key techniques. The plumped raisins and perfect balance of spices elevate these from everyday cookies to memorable treats you’ll want to make again and again. Whether you’re baking them for yourself, your family, or to share with friends, they’re sure to bring smiles all around. Give them a try today, and discover your new favorite cookie recipe!

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