Oats and Raisins Cookies: A Sweet Bite from the Past
Have you ever bitten into a warm, chewy oatmeal raisin cookies and felt a wave of nostalgia? Maybe it reminds you of your grandma’s kitchen or a comforting after-school snack. These cookies, with their wholesome oats, plump raisins, and a hint of cinnamon, are the perfect balance of chewy, sweet, and slightly nutty flavors.
But did you know that oatmeal raisin cookies have a history deeply rooted in health and sustenance? Before chocolate chip cookies took the throne, these treats were the go-to choice for families looking for a nutritious yet delicious snack.
In this post, we’ll take a deep dive into what makes oatmeal raisin cookies special, their origins, how to make the best version, variations, substitutes, and what pairs best with them. Let’s bake some knowledge!
Table of contents
- What Are Oats and Raisins Cookies?
- The Origins of Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- How to Make the Best Oats and Raisins Cookies
- Variations & Substitutes
- Best Pairings for Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- Equipments and ingredients
- Frequently asked questions
- Conclusion: The Ultimate Comfort Cookie
What Are Oats and Raisins Cookies?
Oatmeal raisin cookies are soft, chewy cookies made with rolled oats, raisins, flour, butter, sugar, eggs, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. The oats add a hearty texture, while the raisins provide a natural sweetness that complements the richness of butter and brown sugar. Unlike regular cookies, these have a more rustic, slightly chewy bite, thanks to the oats.
They’re often seen as a “healthier” cookie option—though let’s be real, they’re still a treat!
The Origins of Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
The roots of oatmeal raisin cookies can be traced back to Scottish oatcakes, a type of flatbread made from oats. These oatcakes were staple foods for soldiers and travelers because of their long shelf life and high energy content.
As Scottish and Irish immigrants arrived in America, oats became a key ingredient in baking. In the late 1800s, recipes for oat-based cookies started appearing in cookbooks, with raisins being added for extra sweetness.
The biggest turning point came in 1896, when the Quaker Oats Company printed a recipe for oatmeal cookies on their oats packaging, making them a household staple. Over time, variations with nuts, spices, and even chocolate chips emerged.
How to Make the Best Oats and Raisins Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) brown sugar
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups (180g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 3 cups (240g) rolled oats
- 1 cup (150g) raisins (soaked in warm water for 10 minutes and drained for extra chewiness!)
- ½ cup (50g) chopped walnuts (optional, for crunch)
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 175°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream the Butter & Sugar: In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Eggs & Vanilla: Mix in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
- Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- Combine Wet & Dry: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.
- Fold in Oats & Raisins: Stir in oats, raisins, and walnuts (if using).
- Scoop & Bake: Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown but still soft in the center.
- Cool & Enjoy: Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Pro Tip: If you love extra-chewy cookies, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking!
Oats and raisins cookies recipe
Ingredients
- 125 g Butter
- 225 g Brown sugar
- 65 g Eggs
- 5 ml Vanilla essence
- 15 ml Milk
- 160 g Flour
- 5 g Baking powder
- 2 g Baking soda optional
- 150 g Oats
- 100 g Raisins
- 5 g Cinnamon powder
Instructions
- Measure all the ingredients correctly with proper measurements. Sieve the refined flour( Maida ) along with baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon powder and keep aside. Mix little flour on oats and raisins and keep aside. Beat the egg along with vanilla essence and milk and keep aside. Grease a baking tray and keep ready.
- Cream the butter or whisk butter till it gets soft and creamy, add brown sugar gradually and cream or whisk till smooth. Slowly add the egg mixture and whisk or cream the butter. Last add the flour mixture and fold it with butter and form a dough. Add the raisins and oats mixed with flour and combine it nicely and rest for 10 minutes. Scoop or roll a ball ( 30g – 40g ) from thick cookie batter in a baking tray and bake at 160 degree celsius for 20-25 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Variations & Substitutes
Want to get creative? Try these fun twists!
Variations:
- Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies – Swap raisins for chocolate chips.
- Cranberry Orange Oatmeal Cookies – Replace raisins with dried cranberries and add orange zest.
- Maple Pecan Oatmeal Cookies – Use maple syrup instead of sugar and add pecans.
- Banana Oatmeal Cookies – Replace half the butter with mashed bananas for a softer texture.
Substitutes:
- Raisins → Dried cranberries, chopped dates, or golden raisins
- Butter → Coconut oil or mashed avocado for a healthier version
- Flour → Almond flour or whole wheat flour for a nuttier taste
- Sugar → Coconut sugar or honey for a natural alternative
Best Pairings for Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
These cookies taste even better with the right drink or topping!
- Milk – The classic! Warm cookies and cold milk are a match made in heaven.
- Coffee – A rich espresso or latte complements the chewy, spiced sweetness.
- Chai Tea – The cinnamon and nutmeg in the cookies pair beautifully with spiced tea.
- Greek Yogurt – Crumble a cookie over plain or vanilla yogurt for a quick parfait.
- Ice Cream Sandwich – Place a scoop of vanilla ice cream between two cookies for a next-level treat.
Do you want to learn more about the pairings or fails or how to rectify them check out the guide made on Oatmeal raisin cookies hacks and pairings.
Equipments and ingredients
Oven for home
This is one of the best oven we recommend using in home.
Stand mixer
Stand mixer provides even creaming and mixing of ingredients and convenient to use.
Frequently asked questions
1. Why are my oatmeal raisin cookies dry?
Too much flour or overbaking! Use a kitchen scale for accuracy and take them out when the edges are golden but the centers are soft.
2. Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes! Use gluten-free oats and swap all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend.
3. How do I keep them fresh?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze for up to 3 months.
4. Can I make them vegan?
Absolutely! Substitute butter with coconut oil and eggs with flax eggs (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water per egg).
5. Should I soak the raisins?
Yes! Soaking raisins in warm water for 10 minutes makes them plumper and juicier in the cookies.
Conclusion: The Ultimate Comfort Cookie
Oatmeal raisin cookies are the perfect blend of old-fashioned comfort and modern-day indulgence. Whether you like them chewy, crunchy, or with a chocolatey twist, there’s a version for everyone. These cookies are not just a sweet treat—they’re a bite of history, a hug in cookie form, and a reminder of how simple ingredients can create something magical.
So, what’s your take on oatmeal raisin cookies? Love them or leave them?
Now, grab a glass of milk and enjoy a cookie—because life is too short to skip dessert!
