Soft and Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Few things in life are as comforting as the smell of freshly baked oatmeal raisin cookies wafting through the kitchen. There’s a reason this classic cookie has remained a staple for generations: it’s soft, chewy, and full of warm, nostalgic flavors that instantly remind us of home. Today, we’re diving into a foolproof recipe that guarantees perfectly soft and chewy oatmeal raisin cookies every time.

Whether you’re baking for a family gathering, a holiday treat, or simply a cozy afternoon snack, this recipe will quickly become your go-to. And the best part? You can easily customize it with nuts, extra spices, or even chocolate chips for a personal twist.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Soft and Chewy Texture: Achieved with the perfect combination of butter, brown sugar, and molasses.
• Hearty & Wholesome: Rolled oats provide a satisfying chew and thick texture.
• Plump, Sweet Raisins: Soaking raisins beforehand ensures they’re juicy and flavorful.
• Customizable: Add walnuts, pecans, or even chocolate chips for extra decadence.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: Dough can be chilled or frozen for easy, stress-free baking.
• Nostalgic & Cozy: Brings classic homemade comfort with every bite.

Ingredients Breakdown

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup (16 Tbsp; 226 g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1 cup (200 g) packed light or dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) unsulphured or dark molasses

Dry Ingredients

• 1 2/3 cups (209 g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Oats & Add-Ins

• 3 cups (255 g) old-fashioned whole rolled oats
• 1 cup (140 g) raisins
• Optional: 1/2 cup (64 g) chopped toasted walnuts

Serving Size: Makes 26–30 cookies, depending on scoop size.

Tools & Equipment Needed

• Hand mixer or stand mixer with paddle attachment
• Large mixing bowl
• Medium mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Rubber spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
• Cookie scoop (recommended for sticky dough)
• Cooling rack

Optional: kitchen scale for precise measurements, small bowl for soaking raisins, and mixing spoon for folding in oats and raisins.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugars

Using a hand or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment:

1. Add softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar to a large bowl.
2. Beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes, until smooth and creamy.

Step 2: Add Eggs, Vanilla, and Molasses

1. Beat in the eggs on high speed for about 1 minute, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
2. Add vanilla extract and molasses; mix on high speed until fully combined.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

1. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together:
   • All-purpose flour
   • Baking soda
   • Cinnamon
   • Salt
2. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix on low speed until just combined.

Step 4: Add Oats, Raisins, and Walnuts

1. Fold in the rolled oats, raisins, and optional chopped walnuts on low speed.
2. Dough will be thick and very sticky.

Pro Tip: Soak raisins in warm water for 10 minutes and blot dry for plumper cookies.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

• Refrigerate dough for 30–60 minutes.
• Full hour recommended if you want thicker cookies or worry about spreading.
• Dough can be chilled up to 2 days; let sit at room temperature 30 minutes before baking if chilled longer.

Step 6: Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C).
2. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

Step 7: Shape Cookies

1. Using a cookie scoop or about 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie, roll dough into balls.
2. Place cookies 2 inches apart on the baking sheets.

Tip: Dough is sticky; a cookie scoop is highly recommended.

Step 8: Bake

• Bake for 12–14 minutes, until sides are lightly browned.
• Centers will appear soft and slightly underbaked—this is perfect for chewy cookies.

Step 9: Cool

1. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.
2. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
3. Cookies will continue to “set” on the baking sheet as they cool.

Tips & Variations

Flavor Variations

• Nutty Twist: Add 1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts or pecans.
• Spiced Oatmeal: Increase cinnamon to 2 tsp or add 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg.
• Chocolate Chip Variation: Fold in 1 cup chocolate chips with the raisins.
• Dried Fruit Mix: Replace raisins with dried cranberries or chopped dates.

Make-Ahead & Storage

• Room Temperature: Store baked cookies in airtight containers for up to 1 week.
• Freezing Cookies: Baked cookies freeze well up to 3 months.
• Freezing Dough: Unbaked cookie dough balls freeze up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1 extra minute.

Pro Baking Tips

• Use room-temperature butter and eggs for smooth mixing.
• Don’t overmix oats and raisins—fold gently for tender cookies.
• Slightly underbaked centers ensure chewy texture.

Flavor Profile & Pairings

• Texture: Thick, chewy, and hearty.
• Taste: Sweet molasses, warm cinnamon, rich butter, and plump raisins.
• Serving Suggestions: Perfect with a glass of milk, afternoon tea, or as a cozy dessert with ice cream.

Nutritional Overview (Per Cookie, Approximate)

Calories	Protein	Carbs	Fat	Fiber
180	3 g	27 g	7 g	2 g

• Dietary Notes: Contains dairy, eggs, and gluten. Vegetarian-friendly.

FAQs

1. Why should I soak the raisins?
Soaking plumps the raisins, making cookies moist and chewy rather than dry.

2. Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, replace flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and ensure oats are certified gluten-free.

3. Can I omit walnuts?
Absolutely. The cookies are still deliciously chewy and flavorful without nuts.

4. How do I prevent cookies from spreading too much?
Chill dough for at least 30 minutes. Longer chilling (up to 2 days) yields thicker cookies.

5. Can I freeze cookie dough?
Yes, unbaked dough freezes up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding one extra minute to the bake time.

Cooking Timeline (At a Glance)

Task	Time
Prep Ingredients	10–15 minutes
Mix Wet & Dry Ingredients	10 minutes
Fold in Oats & Raisins	5 minutes
Chill Dough	30–60 minutes
Preheat Oven	10 minutes
Scoop & Shape Cookies	10 minutes
Bake	12–14 minutes
Cool	5–10 minutes

Serving Suggestions

• Serve warm for gooey centers and soft edges.
• Stack cookies in jars or tins for gifting.
• Pair with coffee, tea, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent treat.
• Perfect for school lunches, snack boxes, or holiday platters.

Ingredient Spotlight

Rolled Oats

• Why they matter: Provide hearty chew and structure for thick, soft cookies.
• Tips: Use old-fashioned whole oats, not quick oats, for optimal texture.

Molasses

• Why it matters: Adds depth, rich flavor, and chewiness to cookies.
• Tip: Use unsulphured or dark molasses; avoid blackstrap for best taste.

Pro Baking Tips

• Use a cookie scoop for uniform cookies and even baking.
• Don’t overbake; slightly undercooked centers ensure perfect chewiness.
• For thicker cookies, chill dough longer and shape into taller mounds.
• Fold in oats and raisins gently to maintain tender texture.

Storage & Freezing Guide

• Baked Cookies: Room temperature in airtight containers for 1 week; freeze up to 3 months.
• Unbaked Dough: Freeze dough balls up to 3 months; bake directly from frozen.
• Avoid soggy cookies: Allow cookies to cool completely before storing.

Recipe Variations

1. Nutty Oatmeal Raisin: Fold in 1/2 cup toasted walnuts.
2. Chocolate Chip Oatmeal: Replace 1 cup raisins with semi-sweet chocolate chips.
3. Spiced Oatmeal Raisin: Add 1/4 tsp nutmeg and 1/4 tsp ginger.
4. Cranberry & White Chocolate: Use dried cranberries instead of raisins and add 1/2 cup white chocolate chips.

Expanded Conclusion

These Soft and Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies are the ultimate comfort treat: soft in the middle, chewy in every bite, and bursting with rich flavor from molasses, cinnamon, and plump raisins.

Whether you’re baking for family, sharing with friends, or simply indulging yourself, this recipe delivers perfectly soft, chewy cookies every single time. Follow these steps, trust the chilling process, and enjoy the warm aroma filling your home. These cookies are versatile, customizable, and guaranteed to become a family favorite.

Grab your mixing bowl, preheat your oven, and make a batch today—you won’t regret it.

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