These are the best Oatmeal Raisin Cookies you will ever try! My grandma’s recipe is the perfect balance of a soft cake like center with a slightly crispy exterior and the perfect cinnamon and clove flavor. These slightly sweet cookies are great for breakfast or a snack!
Soft Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Recipe
We grew up with my grandma baking these amazing Oatmeal Raisin Cookies and they have spoiled us. I have never met another oatmeal raisin cookie, whether it’s from a bakery or at a pot luck that even comes close.
This classic recipe has been passed on for generations and for good reason! It is made with shortening, which some people are hesitant to use, but it makes for a softer texture that butter doesn’t achieve. Just trust me on this and try the shortening!
Tender Cake Like Cookies
I love these cookies for a few reasons. First and foremost is the texture. I’m not a huge fan of dense chewy oatmeal raisin cookies. If that is what you are looking for, this recipe isn’t for you.
Instead it a soft cake like texture that is unbelievably moist and tender, but with a perfect exterior that has just a very slight crisp. It’s almost like the best individual little cake.
Boiled Raisins in Cookies
The cake stays so moist and the raisins remain soft and tender from cooking the raisins in water before adding them to the cookie dough. This softens them so they aren’t hard or chewy, but instead plump and juicy.
We use water to cook the raisins, but you can infuse even more flavor in these cookies by cooking them in a couple tablespoons of balsamic vinegar or some cognac.
Cinnamon & Cloves
Not only is the dough infused with extra flavor from the juice from the raisins, it is laced with cinnamon and cloves. These warm spices compliment the raisins wonderfully.
Breakfast Cookies
Unlike some cookies that are very sweet and perfect for dessert, these oatmeal raisin cookies are the best because they aren’t overly sweet, much like these Pizzelle cookies. They work great for breakfast or a snack. It also makes it way too easy to eat a few too many, they are just that good!
Add this soft oatmeal cookie recipe to your brunch spread along with some some overnight egg casserole and make ahead hash browns .
How to make soft oatmeal raisin cookies
In a large mixing bowl, blend together the shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the eggs and vanilla.
In a separate bowl, combine the flour, oats, baking soda, salt and spices. Give it a quick stir and add it to the wet ingredients.
In a small bowl, add the raisins and cover with 1/2 cup of water. Microwave for 90 seconds. Add the cooking water from the raisins to the bowl and mix the dough just until well combined.
If the dough is a little dry, add an additional tablespoons of water. This is necessary sometimes, because if you cook the raisins too long, more water is evaporated and there may not be quite enough.
Mix the raisins into the dough. Use a cookie scoop and scoop the cookies onto a lined or greased baking sheet. by rounded teaspoonful. Bake 8 to 10 minutes at 375F until the cookies are just slightly golden brown on the edges. You do NOT want to overbake these or they will dry out.
Allow the cookies to fully cool to room temperature before storing them in an air tight container.
Can I freeze oatmeal raisin cookies
These cookies freeze wonderfully in an airtight container. You may loose a tiny bit of the crisp from the exterior, but they will still be wonderfully soft and tender when they are thawed.
Just go ahead and make a double batch when making these cookies, because they will fly off the counter so fast your head will spin. If you do have too many, you can go ahead and freeze them for those unexpected guests!
You can also make the cookie dough in advance. It’s really easy to bake frozen cookie dough!
Our favorite cookie recipes
These oatmeal raisin cookies are at the top of our list for favorites. They join some other amazing cookie recipes we love. Be sure to check out some of our favorite recipes.
- Walnut Thumbprint Cookies – These are a holiday favorite. The combination of sweet and salty flavors with crunchy nuts is fantastic.
- Sour Cream Cutout Cookies – These are the absolute best cutout cookies you will ever try!
- Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies – This classic recipe is always a good choice
Best Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup shortening
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups old fashion oats
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup raisins
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- In a large mixing bowl, blend together the shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the eggs and vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour, oats, baking soda, salt and spices. Give it a quick stir.
- In a small bowl, add the raisins and cover with 1/2 cup of water. Microwave for 90 seconds.
- Add the dry ingredients and the raisin water to the sugar and shortening mixture. Stir just until well combined. Mix the raisins into the dough.
- Scoop the cookies onto a greased baking sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes at 375°F until the cookies are just slightly golden brown on the edges. Do not overbake these or they will dry out.
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