If you’re on the hunt for something irresistibly chewy, warmly spiced, and packed with wholesome oats and sweet raisins, then this Soft Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need in your baking repertoire. These cookies strike the perfect balance of tender softness and gentle sweetness, with layers of cinnamon and nutmeg that make each bite a comforting hug. Whether you’re sharing them with friends or sneaking one (or three) straight from the batch, this recipe promises a homey, satisfying treat that feels just right all year round.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step toward cookie magic. Each element is essential—not just for flavor, but for texture and that cozy aroma that fills your kitchen. From the rich molasses to the toasted walnuts, every single component plays its part brilliantly in this Soft Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe.
- 1 cup butter (softened, 2 sticks): The creamy foundation that ensures your cookies stay soft and rich.
- 1 cup brown sugar: Adds moisture and deep caramel notes for that signature chewy texture.
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar: Balances sweetness without overpowering, creating a perfect crumb.
- 2 large eggs: Bind everything together and contribute tenderness.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Brings warmth and enhances the natural sweetness.
- 1 tablespoon molasses: Imparts a subtle, authentic flavor and classic color.
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled): The body of the cookies; careful measuring prevents dryness or heaviness.
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly while keeping them soft.
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt: Balances the sweetness and accentuates flavors.
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon: Infuses the cookies with that warm, familiar spice.
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg: Adds a hint of earthiness and complexity.
- Pinch cardamom (optional): For those who love a little extra fragrance and intrigue.
- 1 cup quick oats: Helps create a tender texture without being too heavy.
- 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats: Offers that wonderful chewy bite we all crave.
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (toasted, optional): Adds crunch and a nutty depth when included.
- 1 1/2 cups raisins: The sweet bursts that bring life and juiciness to every mouthful.
How to Make Soft Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Plump the Raisins and Toast the Walnuts
Begin by softening your raisins to boost their juiciness in the cookies. Pour boiling water over them and let them soak for 10-15 minutes—this trick turns raisins from chewy to delightfully tender. Meanwhile, toast your walnuts in a pan over medium heat for about 3-5 minutes until aromatic and golden brown, but watch carefully—they burn easily! This step brings out their full nutty flavor, enhancing each bite.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, whip your softened butter until smooth and creamy. Slowly add the brown sugar and granulated sugar, beating until the mixture is fluffy and light, about 2-3 minutes. This process incorporates air, which helps create that soft texture with a perfect crumb.
Step 3: Blend in Eggs, Vanilla, and Molasses
Next, crack in the eggs, pour the vanilla extract, and add molasses. Beat these together thoroughly, scraping the bowl as needed, until everything is well combined and the dough looks silky. This mixture adds moisture and those delicious rich undertones that make this Soft Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe stand out.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients with Flour
Measure your flour carefully and spoon it into the bowl. On top, sprinkle baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of cardamom if you’re feeling adventurous. Stir the spices into the flour gently with a small spoon before mixing into the wet ingredients. Blend the flour mixture in with your beaters just until the dough looks patchy with white flour streaks; this prevents overmixing which can toughen your cookies.
Step 5: Add Oats, Walnuts, and Raisins
Fold in both quick oats and old fashioned rolled oats along with your toasted walnuts if you’re using them. Then, drain your raisins and pat them dry to avoid soggy dough, adding them last into the mixture with a wooden spoon to gently combine. This is where your cookies start to come together, full of textures and flavors that promise a delightful bite.
Step 6: Chill the Dough
Cover your dough and refrigerate it for at least 2 hours or up to 48 hours to let the flavors meld and for easier shaping. If you’re pressed for time, shape dough balls and chill them for about 30 minutes instead—this step is key for controlling spread during baking, helping achieve those thick, soft centers.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
When ready, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper. Scoop out dough balls about 2 inches wide and place them with some space between to allow gentle spreading. Bake for 11-12 minutes, watching for golden edges and a matte center with slight shine. Remember, a shiny top means they need a couple more minutes.
Step 8: Shape and Cool
Right after baking, while the cookies are warm and pliable, use two spoons to gently push their edges inward to form a thick, rounded cookie with a soft center. Press extra raisins on top for a pretty finish if you like. Then move them to a wire rack to cool completely—although grabbing one warm for a taste is an absolute must!
How to Serve Soft Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an inviting presentation, sprinkle a few extra raisins or chopped toasted walnuts on top of the cookies just after baking. A light dusting of cinnamon or powdered sugar can also add a pretty, aromatic touch that invites your guests in for a bite.
Side Dishes
Soft oatmeal raisin cookies shine paired with a cold glass of milk or a soothing cup of hot tea or coffee. For a decadent twist, serve alongside vanilla ice cream for a simple cookie sandwich that is sure to wow.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking them in a rustic tin lined with parchment or arrange them on a wooden board garnished with fresh fruit and nuts for an irresistible cookie platter. If gifting, package them in a pretty box with a handwritten note—these cookies make a heartwarming homemade gift.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your Soft Oatmeal Raisin Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. Keeping them sealed locks in moisture, ensuring they remain soft and chewy rather than drying out.
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully! Place cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer them to a zip-top bag or airtight container. They’ll stay delicious for up to three months—just thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
Reheating
If your cookies need a little freshening up, pop them in a 300-degree oven for 5 minutes or microwave for 10-15 seconds. This revives their softness and warmth, bringing them close to freshly baked goodness.
FAQs
Can I substitute the raisins with another dried fruit?
Absolutely! Dried cranberries, cherries, or chopped dates work well and offer a different flavor twist while maintaining that chewy texture.
Is it necessary to chill the cookie dough?
Chilling is highly recommended because it prevents the cookies from spreading too much and enhances their flavor by allowing the ingredients to meld.
Can I omit the nuts?
Yes, nuts are optional and the cookies will still be deliciously soft and flavorful without them—perfect for those with allergies or preferences.
Why do my cookies sometimes come out dry or tough?
Overmixing the dough or baking too long can cause dryness. Be sure to mix just until combined and watch the bake time closely for soft centers with firm edges.
How do I get my cookies extra thick and soft in the center?
Right after baking, while cookies are warm, gently push their edges inward with spoons to create a higher, softer middle. This little trick makes all the difference!
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly heartwarming about the humble yet comforting Soft Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe that never goes out of style. With its perfectly balanced spices, soft texture, and bursts of juicy raisins, it’s a recipe to hold onto and share for years to come. So go ahead—bake a batch, savor that first warm bite, and spread the joy with your loved ones. You won’t regret it!
Print
Soft Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 37 minutes (excluding chilling time)
- Yield: 30 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Soft Oatmeal Raisin Cookies recipe yields tender, chewy cookies bursting with warm spices, plump raisins, and a delightful hint of molasses. With a perfect balance of quick and old fashioned oats, optional toasted walnuts, and a methodical step-by-step preparation including chilling the dough for enhanced flavor and texture, these cookies come out thick, soft, and irresistibly good every time.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup butter (softened, 2 sticks)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon molasses
Dry Ingredients
- 2 & 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- 1 & 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 & 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- Pinch cardamom (optional)
- 1 cup quick oats
- 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
Sugars
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
Additional Ingredients
- 1 & 1/2 cups raisins
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (toasted, optional)
Instructions
- Prepare raisins and walnuts. Bring a small pot of water to a boil and pour over 1 & 1/2 cups raisins in a bowl to plump them for at least 10-15 minutes. In a small pan over medium heat, toast 1/2 cup walnuts for 3-5 minutes until fragrant and light brown. Allow to cool.
- Beat butter. In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat 1 cup softened butter until soft and creamy.
- Add sugars. Beat in 1 cup brown sugar and 3/4 cup granulated sugar until fluffy, scraping the bowl sides and bottom for 2-3 minutes.
- Incorporate wet flavorings. Add 2 eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon molasses. Beat well to combine.
- Prepare dry ingredients. Spoon and level 2 & 1/2 cups all-purpose flour into the bowl but do not mix yet. On top, add 1 & 1/2 teaspoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 & 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, and a pinch of cardamom if using. Stir these spices into the flour with a spoon.
- Combine flour mixture. Use beaters to stir flour into dough partially until still some white flour remains. Scrape bowl sides.
- Add oats and nuts. Add 1 cup quick oats, 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats, and toasted walnuts if using.
- Finish mixing. Beat just until flour streaks disappear, scraping bowl edges carefully. Avoid overmixing to keep cookies tender.
- Drain and dry raisins. Strain raisins and dry on paper towels. Set aside some for topping if desired.
- Incorporate raisins. Stir raisins into dough using a wooden spoon. If raisins are wet, mix to the best ability without overworking dough.
- Chill dough. Cover and refrigerate dough for 2 hours up to 48 hours. For quicker baking, shape dough into balls, place on a plate, cover, and chill for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven. Set oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper.
- Shape cookies. Using a 2-inch cookie scoop or hands, form dough balls about the size of a golf ball. Place on baking sheet 2 inches apart, fitting about 12 cookies per half sheet pan.
- Bake cookies. Bake at 350°F for 11-12 minutes until edges are firm and golden with a slight sheen in the center but not overly shiny. If tops remain shiny, bake 2-3 minutes more.
- Shape for thickness. Immediately upon removing from oven, use two spoons to gently push cookies inward, shaping into thick, soft centers before edges crisp.
- Add extra raisins. Press reserved raisins onto cookie tops if desired.
- Cool. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and cool completely before serving, although enjoying one warm is encouraged.
- Storage. Store cookies covered at room temperature on the counter.
Notes
- Plumping raisins in boiling water before baking ensures extra juiciness in the cookies.
- Toasting walnuts enhances their flavor and adds a pleasant crunch but is optional.
- Chilling the dough allows flavors to develop and prevents cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Shaping the cookies right after baking creates a soft and thick center, which is a signature texture of these cookies.
- Using a combination of quick and old fashioned oats gives a nice chewy texture and visible oat presence.
- Be careful not to overmix once flour is added to keep cookies tender.
- Cardamom is optional—use only if you like its warm, citrusy spice.
- Use parchment or silicone mats to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
