What are oatmeal raisin cookies made of?

Quick Answer

Oatmeal raisin cookies are made from a basic dough containing flour, butter, sugar, eggs, oats, cinnamon, baking soda, and raisins. The oats and raisins provide a chewy texture and sweet flavor.

Ingredients

Here are the main ingredients that go into making oatmeal raisin cookies:

Flour

The flour provides structure and texture. All-purpose flour is commonly used, but whole wheat flour can also be used for added nutrition. About 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups of flour are used for a standard oatmeal raisin cookie recipe.

Butter

Butter provides moisture, richness, and flavor. Usually about 1 cup of butter is creamed together with the sugar. Salted or unsalted butter may be used.

Sugar

Granulated white sugar sweetens the cookies and helps them brown. Around 3/4 to 1 cup of sugar is typical. Other sugars like brown sugar or honey can also be used.

Eggs

Eggs add moisture, structure, and binding. Eggs should be beaten before adding to the dough. 1 egg is common for a batch of oatmeal raisin cookies.

Oats

Old-fashioned or rolled oats provide the oatmeal flavor and a chewy texture. Around 1 1/2 to 2 cups of oats are used. Steel-cut oats can also be used for extra chewiness.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon provides warmth of flavor. About 1 teaspoon is standard, but more can be added if a stronger cinnamon taste is desired.

Baking Soda

A small amount of baking soda helps the cookies rise properly. Around 1/2 teaspoon is typical.

Raisins

Raisins add sweetness and moisture. Regular yellow raisins or golden raisins may be used. About 1 cup of raisins is standard. Other dried fruits like cranberries or chopped apricots can be used too.

Salt

A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors. Sea salt or kosher salt adds a nice flavor.

Vanilla Extract

Vanilla extract boosts the flavor of the cookies. About 1 teaspoon is commonly added.

Steps to Make Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Here is an overview of the basic steps for making oatmeal raisin cookies:

1. Cream butter and sugar

Beat together the butter and sugar thoroughly until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This incorporates air into the mixture.

2. Beat in eggs and vanilla

Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.

3. Mix in dry ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the butter-sugar mixture.

4. Stir in raisins

Once the dough comes together, fold in the raisins until evenly distributed.

5. Chill dough

Cover the dough and chill for at least 30 minutes. This allows the ingredients to fully incorporate.

6. Scoop and bake cookies

Once chilled, scoop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes until lightly browned around the edges.

7. Cool and enjoy!

Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy these yummy oatmeal raisin cookies!

Common Additions and Variations

While the basic oatmeal raisin cookie has standard main ingredients, many delicious additions and tweaks can be made:

Nuts

Chopped walnuts, pecans, almonds, or peanuts add crunch and flavor.

Chocolate chips

Mini chocolate chips create chocolate chip oatmeal cookies.

Dried fruit

In addition to raisins, dried cranberries, cherries, apricots, or mango can be mixed in.

Spices

Extra cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, or cardamom lend a spiced flavor.

Citrus zest

Lemon, orange, or lime zest give bright citrus notes.

Coconut

Shredded coconut provides tropical flavor and chewiness.

Seeds

Chia seeds, flax seeds, sesame seeds, or sunflower seeds add nutrition.

Oats

Substitute quick oats or steel-cut oats for different texture.

Grains

Granola, muesli, or wheat germ can be added too.

Butter

Substitute coconut oil, olive oil, or shortening for dairy-free versions.

Storage Tips

Oatmeal raisin cookies taste best when fresh, but can be stored to enjoy later using these tips:

Room temperature

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week.

Refrigerator

For longer shelf life, store cookie in a sealed container in the refrigerator up to 1 month.

Freezer

For maximum freshness, freeze cookie dough balls or baked cookies up to 3 months. Thaw in refrigerator before baking or serving.

Airtight packaging

Ensure cookies are stored in an airtight container or bag. Air exposure can cause cookies to dry out.

Humidity control

Keep cookies in a container with a slice of bread or apple to maintain moisture in dry climates.

Frozen cookie dough

Refrigerate or freeze scooped cookie dough, then bake fresh cookies as needed.

Quality check

Discard cookies if they smell, taste, or appear stale, moldy, or otherwise unpleasant.

Tips for Best Results

Use these tips to ensure your oatmeal raisin cookies turn out perfectly delicious:

Cream butter and sugar well

Properly creaming the butter and sugar incorporates air for better texture. Beat for 2-3 minutes until fluffy.

Don’t overmix

Once the dough comes together, avoid over-mixing or the cookies may be tough. Just mix until combined.

Chill thoroughly

Chilling for at least 30 minutes allows the flavors to develop and makes scooping easier.

Use parchment paper

Line baking sheets with parchment paper so cookies don’t stick.

Shape evenly

Use a cookie scoop or spoon to portion dough into evenly sized balls for uniform baking.

Bake in batches

Bake cookies in batches with space between to ensure proper air circulation and browning.

Allow to cool

Let cookies cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before moving to a rack. This prevents breakage.

Store properly

Keep cookies stored in a sealed airtight container at room temperature or in the freezer.

Common Questions

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about oatmeal raisin cookies:

Why do my cookies spread too much?

If your oatmeal raisin cookies spread out too thin, the dough likely wasn’t chilled thoroughly before baking. Chill for at least 30-60 minutes.

How can I make my cookies chewier?

Using brown sugar instead of white sugar will make cookies chewier. Also let cookies cool completely before serving.

Why are my cookies too crunchy?

Cookies that are too crunchy may have been overbaked. Try reducing oven temperature 25°F and checking at the minimum bake time.

Can I make cookies without eggs or dairy?

Yes, swap the eggs for flax or chia eggs. Substitute vegan butter or coconut oil for dairy butter.

Should I use quick oats or old-fashioned oats?

Old-fashioned rolled oats are recommended for the standard chewy oatmeal texture. Quick oats make a slightly softer cookie.

How can I add more fiber and nutrition?

Substitute whole wheat flour for some of the all-purpose flour and add chia seeds, flaxseeds, bran cereal, or wheat germ.

How do I make oatmeal raisin cookie bars?

Press dough into a baking pan instead of scooping cookies. Bake, let cool, and cut into bars.

Can oatmeal raisin cookies be frozen?

Yes, freeze scooped dough balls before baking or freeze baked cookies up to 3 months. Thaw before serving.

Troubleshooting Issues

Use this troubleshooting guide if your oatmeal raisin cookies don’t turn out quite right:

Issue Solution
Cookies are flat and spread out Chill dough thoroughly before baking. Bake just until set.
Cookies are too cakey Use less flour or bake cookies longer.
Cookies are too hard and crunchy Bake for shorter time and be sure not to overbake.
Cookies have no flavor Increase spices like cinnamon to suit your taste.
Bottoms of cookies are burnt Lower oven rack position and watch cookies closely while baking.
Cookies are greasy Let cookies cool completely before storing or serving.
Cookies crumble and fall apart Let cookies cool on baking sheet before moving them to prevent breaking.

Nutrition Information

Oatmeal raisin cookies are a fairly healthy choice as far as cookies go. Here is the nutrition information for a typical oatmeal raisin cookie (using canola oil):

Amount per Serving Calories Fat Carbs Protein
1 cookie (30g) 120 5g 18g 2g
Calories from fat: 36% Saturated fat: 1g Trans fat: 0g Cholesterol: 13mg Sodium: 57mg

As you can see, oatmeal raisin cookies provide a decent amount of energy and nutrition in moderation. The oats provide some fiber, and raisins add vitamins and minerals like vitamin K and iron. Overall, oatmeal cookies make for a tasty and wholesome snack!

Conclusion

Oatmeal raisin cookies have an appealing flavor and texture that makes them a beloved recipe. Their ingredients are simple – just a basic dough mix with oats and raisins. Feel free to customize and add your own touches as well. Proper dough chilling, scooping, and baking will ensure bakery-quality results. Stored properly, these wholesome cookies can be enjoyed fresh for up to a week. Oatmeal raisin cookies are easy to whip up and make for a delicious homemade treat any time. Now that you know what oatmeal raisin cookies are made of, you can enjoy baking and eating this classic cookie!

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