Name: Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (2 sticks); ½ cup granulated sugar; ½ cup brown sugar or turbinado sugar; 1 large egg; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves; ¼ teaspoon allspice; ½ teaspoon ground ginger; 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 2 cups old-fashioned oats; 1 cup raisins; ½ cup golden raisins

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If you’re looking for the ultimate bakery-style indulgence, look no further than this Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe. There’s something absolutely magical about the way chewy oats, sweet golden and classic raisins, and warm spices come together in each bite. Whether you’re baking for a cozy afternoon snack, a family gathering, or you simply can’t resist a cookie warm from the oven, this recipe delivers classic comfort with a pinch of nostalgia. Let’s get ready to fill your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of homemade cookies!

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe celebrates a beautiful blend of simple pantry staples, each playing a crucial role in creating these much-loved cookies. Every ingredient has its own mission: from lending a chewy crumb to infusing every bite with deep, spiced flavor.

Unsalted butter: Softened butter is the backbone for a rich, tender cookie, providing moisture and mouthfeel.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create those crisp edges we crave in every cookie.
Brown sugar or turbinado sugar: Supplies a caramel note and makes the cookies irresistibly chewy.
Large egg: Binds everything together while giving the dough structure and a soft, tender bite.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth, enhancing both the oats and raisins.
All-purpose flour: Offers the perfect texture—light but sturdy enough to hold in all those raisins and oats.
Salt: Essential for balancing sweetness and making the flavors pop.
Baking soda: Provides a gentle lift, ensuring your cookies don’t turn out flat.
Ground cloves: Just a pinch brings a subtle, aromatic spice.
Allspice: Adds another layer of complexity to the spice mixture.
Ground ginger: Brings a gentle warmth and a hint of zing.
Ground cinnamon: The heart of this recipe’s cozy flavor, blending beautifully with oats and raisins.
Old-fashioned oats: The star ingredient, giving your cookies that classic rustic chew and hearty texture.
Raisins: Their natural sweetness plumps up in the oven, adding bursts of flavor in every bite.
Golden raisins: A gorgeous color and slightly tart, fruity tang—it’s the secret to a more complex cookie.

How to Make Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Baking Gear

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. This helps prevent sticking and gives you perfectly crisp edges. If you’re a stickler for even baking, be sure your racks are centered and your pans spaced for good air flow.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, blend together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and fluffy. The magic here is in the creaming: you’re incorporating air and building the base for soft, thick cookies. Don’t rush it—give it at least 2–3 minutes for best results!

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients

Next, beat in the egg and vanilla extract. This duo gives the dough its signature tenderness while letting all those comforting flavors shine. Once mixed, the dough should look glossy and deeply fragrant.

Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking soda, ground cloves, allspice, ginger, cinnamon, and old-fashioned oats. Spices mingle here to give the cookies their irresistible aroma, while the oats get fully coated and ready to bind up with the wet mixture.

Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry Together

Gradually add your dry ingredients to the butter mixture, stirring gently until just combined. This is the key to a tender cookie—avoid over-mixing, or you’ll end up with tough cookies instead of chewy ones!

Step 6: Fold in the Raisins

By hand, fold in both the classic and golden raisins. Mixing by hand ensures some raisins stay whole for juicy pops of sweetness, and you won’t crush the oats. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can always add a handful of chopped nuts!

Step 7: Shape and Bake

Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop equal mounds of dough onto your baking sheets, giving them at least one inch of space to spread. Bake for 15–20 minutes, until the edges are golden but the centers look just a little soft—they’ll finish setting as they cool.

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This pause is crucial—hot cookies are delicate and can break if moved too soon. Serve them slightly warm for that bakery-fresh experience!

How to Serve Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

For an extra flourish, try a light dusting of powdered sugar once the cookies have cooled, or a delicate drizzle of vanilla glaze. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt right after baking can also add a sophisticated touch and accentuate the rich, buttery flavor of the Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe.

Side Dishes

Nothing complements a warm cookie like a cold glass of milk or a cozy mug of chai tea. For a festive spread, serve your cookies with seasonal fruit, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or even a dollop of Greek yogurt sprinkled with cinnamon.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack a dozen cookies and tie them with a rustic twine for gifting, or serve them on a wooden board surrounded by nuts and dried fruit for a DIY dessert platter. For parties, sandwich a layer of soft cream cheese frosting or ice cream between two cookies for the ultimate treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once completely cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. The Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe will stay delightfully soft for up to five days, making them perfect for lunchboxes and coffee breaks all week long.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully! Cool them first, then store in a well-sealed bag or container, separated by parchment. For best flavor and texture, enjoy within three months. You can also freeze unbaked dough balls and bake fresh cookies on demand.

Reheating

Bring your cookies back to life by warming them in a low oven (about 300°F) for 5 minutes, or zap in the microwave for 10 seconds. They’ll be soft, gooey, and just as irresistible as the day you baked them.

FAQs

Can I use quick oats instead of old-fashioned oats for this Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe?

You can, but the texture will change; quick oats yield a softer, less chewy cookie. For that signature hearty chew, old-fashioned oats really are the best choice.

What’s the secret to getting my cookies extra thick and chewy?

Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes can help! Cold dough spreads less in the oven, making the cookies stay thick and giving you a chewier bite.

Can I swap out the raisins for chocolate chips or other dried fruit?

Absolutely! This Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe is endlessly customizable. Try dried cranberries, chopped dates, or a mix of chocolate chips and nuts to change things up.

Why do my cookies sometimes come out cakey or dry?

This usually happens if you over-measure the flour or over-bake the cookies. Spoon flour into your measuring cup and level it, avoiding compression, and check your cookies a minute before the timer goes off.

How can I make this recipe gluten free?

You can substitute your favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in a 1:1 ratio and make sure your oats are certified gluten-free. The results are just as delicious!

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about baking a batch of cookies from scratch, especially when it’s this Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe. I hope you’ll try it soon—whether you’re sharing with friends or enjoying one all to yourself, you’re in for a comforting, utterly delightful treat that never goes out of style!