The Best Traditional Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
There’s something comforting about a truly traditional oatmeal raisin cookie. Soft in the center, lightly crisp around the edges, and filled with warm spices and plump raisins, this is an old-fashioned oatmeal raisin cookie everyone recognizes and loves.
Made with old fashioned rolled oats, plenty of real butter, and a hint of cinnamon if you like, this old-time favorite is simple, dependable, and made the classic way. The raisins are soaked first so they bake up soft and moist, which gives the cookies that familiar texture people remember.
Why You’ll Love These Traditional Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
What you’ll love about this recipe:
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups old fashioned oats (or quick oats)
- 1 1/5 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp sugar (optional for sprinkling)
There are two secrets to making chewy, moist oatmeal raisin cookies. It takes just a few minutes to soften the raisins, and chewy cookies come from making them a bit larger and staying close to the oven while they bake. You want them just baked. If you have cookie dunkers in your family, simply bake them a little longer. Either way, this oatmeal raisin cookie recipe is sure to be a hit.
How to Make Traditional Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Step 1: Soak the Raisins
Start by soaking the raisins. Measure the raisins and place them in a small bowl. Cover with boiling water and let them sit while you mix the cookie dough.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
Preheat your oven to 350 F. Line two cookies sheets with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter until light and fluffy. Add the white sugar and brown sugar and mix until well combined. This step helps create the soft, chewy texture that makes these oatmeal raisin cookies so good.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Stir in the vanilla until everything is fully combined and smooth..
Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, combine the old fashioned oats, flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Stir the dry ingredients together well so the baking soda is evenly distributed before adding them to the cookie dough.
You can use quick oats if needed, but keep in mind that they will change the texture of the cookies.
Step 5: Add Oats and Raisins
Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until well combined.
Place the soaked raisins in a strainer to drain off the water, then add them to the cookie dough.
Mix just until everything is combined
Step 6: Scoop and Bake.
Using a cookie scoop, drop the dough into generous portions onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
Sprinkle lightly with sugar.
Bake at 350°F for about 10 minutes, checking the cookies after 8 minutes or so. You want them dark golden around the edges and just golden in the middle.
Remove them from the baking pan right away and let cool on a rack or a clean tea towel.
Baking Tips for Perfect Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- Soaking the raisins first helps keep them soft and moist after baking.
- Slightly larger cookies bake up chewier in the center.
- Keep an eye on the cookies toward the end of baking. They should be dark golden around the edges and just golden in the middle.
- Remove the cookies from the baking sheet right away to prevent overbaking.
Storage and Freezing Instructions
Store baked oatmeal raisin cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for several days. They stay soft and chewy when kept tightly covered.
These cookies also freeze well. Once completely cooled, place them in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
The Best Traditional Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 cup butter softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups old fashioned oats can substitute with quick oats
- 1 ¼ cups all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp sugar optional for sprinkling
Instructions
1. Soak the Raisins
- Measure the raisins and place them in a small bowl. Cover with boiling water and let them sit while you mix the cookie dough. Drain well before using.
2, Cream the Butter and Sugars
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter until light and fluffy. Add the white sugar and brown sugar and mix until well combined.
3. Add Eggs and Vanilla
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla until fully combined.
4. Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, combine the old fashioned rolled oats, flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Stir well so the baking soda is evenly distributed.
5. Add Oats and Raisins
- Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until well combined.
- Place the soaked raisins in a strainer to drain off the water, then add them to the cookie dough.
- Mix just until everything is combined.
6. Scoop and Bake
- Using a cookie scoop, drop the dough into generous portions onto a parchment lined cookie sheet. Sprinkle lightly with sugar, if using.
- Bake at 350°F for about 10 minutes, checking after 8 minutes. You want the cookies dark golden around the edges and just golden in the middle.
- Remove them from the baking pan right away and let cool on a rack or a clean tea towel.
If you love classic cookies, be sure to save this recipe for later. These traditional oatmeal raisin cookies are a dependable favorite and perfect for everyday baking or holiday cookie trays. Pin this recipe so you can come back to it anytime.
Other Cookie Recipes to Try
If you love traditional cookies, here are a few more cookie recipes worth checking out.
The Best Peanut Butter Cookies
These classic peanut butter cookies have been made for generations and are a true old-fashioned favorite. A small twist makes them unique, and they’ve been a family staple ever since.
One Cookie Dough – Many Variations
This is a simple base one dough cookie recipe thats fantastic for lunches. You make one dough and then add different mix-ins like chocolate chips, peanut butter, or raisins so everyone gets what they like.