Description: These Oatmeal Raisin Cookies are a timeless classic, offering a perfect blend of chewy oats, plump raisins, and warm spices. This recipe elevates the traditional cookie to a new level of deliciousness, ensuring a soft, moist, and flavorful treat every time. Perfect for an afternoon snack, a lunchbox surprise, or a comforting dessert, these cookies are sure to become a family favorite. They’re easy to make, and the aroma that fills your kitchen while they bake is simply irresistible.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups Crisco (shortening): This provides the cookies with a soft and tender texture, making them melt in your mouth.
- 2 cups packed light brown sugar: Brown sugar adds moisture and a rich, caramel-like sweetness to the cookies.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Granulated sugar balances the brown sugar and contributes to the cookies’ crisp edges.
- 2 large eggs: Eggs bind the ingredients together and add richness and structure to the cookies.
- 1/2 cup water: Water helps to create a moist and chewy texture, preventing the cookies from becoming dry.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Vanilla extract enhances the flavors of the other ingredients and adds a warm, comforting aroma.
- 6 cups quick oats (uncooked): Quick oats provide the cookies with their signature chewy texture and hearty flavor.
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: All-purpose flour provides the structure for the cookies, holding everything together.
- 2 teaspoons salt: Salt enhances the sweetness of the cookies and balances the flavors.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Baking soda helps the cookies to rise and become light and airy.
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon: Cinnamon adds a warm, spicy flavor that complements the oats and raisins.
- 1 1/2 cups raisins: Raisins add a chewy texture and a burst of sweetness to the cookies.
Preparation:
Step 1: Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that the cookies bake evenly and develop a golden-brown color. Proper preheating is crucial for achieving the desired texture and preventing the cookies from spreading too thin.
Step 2: Cream the Fats and Sugars: In a large bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the Crisco, packed light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This process, known as creaming, incorporates air into the mixture, which contributes to the cookies’ light and airy texture. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl periodically to ensure that all the ingredients are evenly combined.
Step 3: Incorporate the Wet Ingredients: Add the large eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, add the water and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated. The eggs bind the ingredients together, while the water helps to create a moist dough, and the vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor profile of the cookies.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together the quick oats, all-purpose flour, salt, baking soda, and ground cinnamon. This ensures that the dry ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the dough, preventing any pockets of salt or baking soda that could affect the taste or texture of the cookies.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough cookies. Stop mixing as soon as the dry ingredients are incorporated, leaving just a few streaks of flour if necessary.
Step 6: Incorporate the Raisins: Gently fold in the raisins until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. Make sure not to overmix, as this can crush the raisins and release their juices, which could affect the texture of the cookies.
Step 7: Drop by Spoonfuls: Drop rounded spoonfuls of cookie dough onto ungreased baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie to allow for spreading. Using a cookie scoop can help to ensure that the cookies are uniform in size, which will result in even baking.
Step 8: Bake the Cookies: Bake for 11 minutes, then rotate the pans (front to back, top to bottom) in the oven. This ensures that the cookies bake evenly and develop a golden-brown color. Bake for an additional 4 minutes or until the cookies are golden brown and done to your liking. Keep a close eye on the cookies, as baking times may vary depending on your oven.
Step 9: Cool and Serve: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows the cookies to set slightly, preventing them from breaking when you transfer them. Once the cookies are completely cool, they are ready to be enjoyed.
Why You Will Love This Recipe:
This Oatmeal Raisin Cookie recipe stands out for its perfect balance of flavors and textures. The combination of soft, chewy oats, plump, juicy raisins, and warm, fragrant spices creates a symphony of flavors that is both comforting and satisfying. The cookies are incredibly moist and tender, thanks to the use of shortening, brown sugar, and water. The recipe is also very versatile, allowing you to customize the cookies to your liking by adding nuts, chocolate chips, or other ingredients. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, this recipe is easy to follow and guarantees delicious results every time.
Serving Suggestions:
- Enjoy them warm with a glass of cold milk or a cup of hot coffee.
- Pack them in lunchboxes for a sweet treat during the day.
- Serve them as a dessert at parties or gatherings.
- Crumble them over ice cream for a delicious topping.
- Pair them with fresh fruit for a healthy and satisfying snack.
Tips:
- Use room-temperature ingredients for best results.
- Don’t overmix the dough, as this can result in tough cookies.
- For chewier cookies, use old-fashioned oats instead of quick oats.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- To keep the cookies soft, add a slice of bread to the container.
- You can freeze the cookie dough for up to 3 months. Simply thaw the dough in the refrigerator before baking.
- Add chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch and flavor.
- Substitute chocolate chips for some or all of the raisins for a chocolatey twist.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Nutritional Information: (Per cookie, approximate)
- Calories: 150
- Protein: 2g
- Sodium: 100mg
Conclusion:
These Oatmeal Raisin Cookies are more than just a sweet treat; they’re a warm and comforting indulgence that brings back fond memories of home-baked goodness. With their chewy texture, rich flavor, and easy-to-follow recipe, these cookies are sure to become a staple in your kitchen. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake a batch of these irresistible cookies that will delight your taste buds and warm your heart. Enjoy!
Questions and Answers About This Recipe:
- Can I use butter instead of shortening? Yes, you can substitute butter for shortening in this recipe. However, keep in mind that butter contains water, which can affect the texture of the cookies. Cookies made with butter tend to spread more and may not be as soft as those made with shortening. If you choose to use butter, make sure it is softened to room temperature and unsalted. You may also want to chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading.
- Can I use a different type of sugar? While brown sugar and granulated sugar are essential for the unique flavor and texture of these cookies, you can experiment with using different types of sugar. For example, you can use dark brown sugar instead of light brown sugar for a richer, more molasses-like flavor. You can also substitute coconut sugar or maple sugar for the granulated sugar, but keep in mind that these sugars may affect the sweetness and texture of the cookies.
- Can I make these cookies gluten-free? Yes, you can make these cookies gluten-free by substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Look for a blend that is designed for baking and contains a mix of gluten-free flours, such as rice flour, tapioca starch, and potato starch. You may also need to add a binding agent, such as xanthan gum, to help hold the cookies together. Be sure to check the labels of all your ingredients to ensure that they are gluten-free.
- How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much? There are several things you can do to prevent the cookies from spreading too much. First, make sure you are using the correct amount of ingredients, especially the fats and sugars. Second, avoid overmixing the dough, as this can develop the gluten in the flour and cause the cookies to spread. Third, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to help the cookies hold their shape. Finally, make sure your oven is properly preheated and that you are using the correct baking temperature.
- How do I store the cookies to keep them soft? To keep the cookies soft, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Adding a slice of bread to the container can also help to keep the cookies moist. The bread will absorb any excess moisture in the container, preventing the cookies from drying out. You can also freeze the cookies for up to 3 months. Simply thaw the cookies at room temperature before serving.
