This is my family’s favorite recipe for classic Oatmeal Raisin Cookies! They’re richly flavored, perfectly soft and chewy, and SO easy to make–no mixer required! Recipe includes a how-to video.
Raisin Lovers, Rejoice!
The not-so-popular cousin to everyone’s favorite chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin cookies often get a bad rap. Sure, raisins are hardly a substitute for chocolate chips…BUT they do have their place, especially in soft, hearty, and lightly spiced cookies. And yes, as someone who isn’t a fan of raisins, I stand by that statement!
Compared to my other oatmeal cookie recipes, these are a softer, richer spin on my classic oatmeal cookies, a close sister to my oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, and a sturdier version of the soft sandwiches of my oatmeal cream pies. They’re super flavorful, perfectly chewy cookies that can easily hold their own against any plain old chocolate chip cookie recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Easy to make–no mixer required!
- Incredibly flavorful with notes of brown sugar, molasses, cinnamon, and butter.
- Carefully crafted to handle raisins with a flavor designed to complement the addition (much better than just tossing raisins into your favorite oatmeal cookie recipe!).
- Can be made ahead of time and even frozen.
- Stays chewy even after baking.
What You Need
I’m combining carefully-selected ingredients to create the tastiest oatmeal raisin cookies out there. Here are a few that make a big difference in this recipe:
- Molasses. This intensifies the flavor of the dark brown sugar and helps make these oatmeal raisin cookies soft and chewy. It is the perfect complement to the raisins and cinnamon and (otherwise bland) oats, and a tablespoon is just the right amount (I found any more overwhelmed the flavor of the cookies).
- Oats. Use old fashioned rolled oats. Substituting instant or quick oats could make your cookies dry and crumbly.
- Dark brown sugar. I prefer the flavor of dark brown sugar and love how it tastes with the molasses; however, light brown will work in a pinch.
- Unsalted butter. As with most of my recipes, I recommend using unsalted vs. salted butter in this recipe. We’re melting the butter today, which not only makes this recipe easier and quicker to prepare, but it also gives the cookies an extra buttery flavor and chewy texture.
SAM’S TIP: Don’t skip the chilling step! Chilling the dough is necessary since we use melted butter; it allows the dough to become firm enough to scoop and bake without spreading all over the baking sheet. Chilling also allows the flavors to mature and develop, which ultimately creates the best-tasting cookies.
Remember, this is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why. For the full recipe please scroll down to the bottom of the post!
How to Make Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- Combine cooled, melted butter with brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon.
- Add the eggs, stirring until fully combined, then stir in the vanilla and molasses.
- Combine the dry ingredients in a separate bowl, then gradually add them into the wet ingredients.
- Add the oats and raisins, then cover and chill. Bake for 10-12 minutes and enjoy!
SAM’S TIP: Pull the cookies out of the oven when the edges are set and the centers are still underdone–TRUST ME ON THIS! They’ll finish baking outside the oven on their cookie sheet and will be perfectly soft once cool. If you let your cookies bake completely in the oven, they’ll be overdone and could end up dry and crispy 😩.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s not necessary, but it can make them more flavorful and plump. If you’d like to do this, soak your raisins in warm water for about 10-15 minutes and pat dry before adding to the dough.
While storing in an airtight container helps, the trick actually happens before and during the baking process. Using certain ingredients (in this case dark brown sugar, molasses, melted butter) and making sure to not overbake will keep your cookies soft long after baking.
While you could, I’d recommend making my oatmeal chocolate chip cookies or oatmeal cookie bars instead. This recipe was really designed for raisins!
I think you’ll agree with my many taste testers that this is the BEST oatmeal raisin cookie recipe!
Enjoy!
Let’s bake together! I’ll be walking you through all the steps in my written recipe and video below! If you try this recipe, be sure to tag me on Instagram, and you can also find me on YouTube and Facebook
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter melted and cooled until no longer warm to the touch
- 1 cup (200 g) dark brown sugar firmly packed
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 large eggs room temperature preferred
- 1 Tablespoon molasses use a molasses that says “unsulphured” on the label, I like “Grandmas” and “Brer Rabbit” brand
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon table salt
- 3 cups (290 g) old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 ½ cups (225 g) raisins
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine melted, cooled butter, sugars, and cinnamon and stir until well-combined.1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, 1 cup (200 g) dark brown sugar, ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar, ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Add eggs and stir well, then stir in molasses and vanilla extract until completely combined.2 large eggs, 1 Tablespoon molasses, 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt.2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour, 1 Tablespoon cornstarch, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ¾ teaspoon table salt
- Gradually stir dry ingredients into butter mixture until completely combined.
- Add oats and raisins and stir until oats and raisins are uniformly distributed.3 cups (290 g) old-fashioned rolled oats, 1 ½ cups (225 g) raisins
- Cover dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes before baking (see note if you would like to chill longer).
- Once dough is nearly finished chilling, preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Once dough has finished chilling, remove from refrigerator and scoop into rounded 1 ½-Tablespoon sized scoops. Drop scoops onto prepared baking sheet, spacing cookies at least 2” (5cm) apart.
- Bake on 350F (175C) for 10-12 minutes. The centers will look slightly underbaked still but allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet and they will finish cooking to perfection, leaving you with soft, chewy cookies.
Notes
Making dough in advance
This cookie dough may be made up to 5 days in advance of baking, simply store it tightly covered in the refrigerator until ready to use. Note that the dough becomes quite firm if it sits longer than 1 hour, so you may need to let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes or so before it is easy to scoop. Cookie dough may also be scooped, wrapped tightly, and frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months.Storing
Store in an airtight container at room temperature. Cookies will stay fresh for at least 5 days.Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Carmen
I made these delicious cookies for the 7th or 8th time. This weekend, I served them to a group of men and women at a retreat. I was told they are the best oatmeal raisin cookies ever! And they are! I figured out that for me, I like smaller cookies. I use the 1 TBLSP spring-loaded scoop. I then dip a metal tablespoon in water, shake off the excess and press each cookie slightly before putting them in the oven. I shape them a little, too, as needed. I set the timer for 10 minutes and check them. They might stay in the oven 30-60 seconds longer after checking them. I use parchment paper on my pans. I found out that I need to remove the pan from the oven and immediately place it on a cooling rack. I must remove the cookies in no more than 2 minutes onto another cooling rack to prevent them from sticking to the paper. I just now gave my hubby two cookies fresh from the oven. A little bit of heaven and a whole lot of love. Thank you for this perfect recipe!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so happy our recipe has become such a staple in your kitchen, Carmen! We appreciate you coming back to leave a review ❤️
jackie
This is the best oatmeal raisin cookie recipe I have found so far and I have tried many many of them, they are so chewy in the middle and lightly crisp around the edges and the flavor is out of this world must be the little bit of molasses. I have made then 3 times and my husband keeps asking for more I added walnuts one time and they were good too. Love Love the recipe and so easy to make also. looking forward to making other recipe’s from your site. Thanks so much
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Thanks so much for your review, Jackie! Enjoy the cookies and definitely let us know what else you try! ❤️
Elizabeth
Hi Sam, is it possible to substitute the molasses with something else? It’s the one ingredient I don’t have on hand. Maple syrup perhaps? Thank you!
Sam
I’d do maple syrup or even honey. You’ll get a slightly different flavor, but it’ll still be good! 🙂
Carmen
These cookies are delicious. I share with friends since the recipe makes so many cookies. Everyone likes them. I have made this recipe several times. Question. I avoid gluten. I use gluten free oatmeal. Has anyone used a gluten free flour in the recipe?
Gary
I used dates and some walnuts and cookies were excellent! I tried another recipe that looked similar, but lacked molasses and corn starch and it was no where near as good!
Darlene
This is the fourth time I have made them and everyone loves them. So they are a winner, and I’ll keeping making them.
Sam
I’m so glad everyone enjoys them so much, Darlene! 🙂
Ronnie
I have baked professionally for many years. I have made good Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, but these are the Best!
I did use cranberries soaked in warm cider first, then drained. Everyone who has had them loves them. Thanks
Sam
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed them so much, Ronnie! 🙂
Rodney Garza
Love this recipe. I tried 2 other ones and they didn’t come out that well. This was perfect the first I try it. Thanks
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed them so much, Rodney! 🙂
JFLSR
My mother made the best oatmeal raisin cookies I’ve ever eaten! Her secret, grind the raisins up before adding them to the batter! Makes the cookies moist and chewy! Improves the flavor as well!
Sam
That’s a great tip! I’ll have to try it sometime. 🙂
Ella Boureston
Another fabulous Sugar Spun Run recipe! The cookies turned out wonderfully and will replace the recipe we have used several times previously. Highly recommend.
Carmen
We like these cookies a lot! The chewiness is perfect. I like to use organic products when possible, especially with an ingredient such as raisins, My store was out of dark raisins but had golden raisins. I thought they might look weird. But they were moist and good. I’m on a high fiber diet because of colon problems. I love it that my new favorite sweet treat has fiber! About 2 grams per cookie I think.
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed them so much, Carmen! 🙂
Richard
Very nice, made a batch of dough, froze half for another time. I’m of a mind that a pinch of orange zest might work, but absolutely no complaints 🙂 a lovely recipe.
Betty
These are the absolute best oatmeal raisin cookies ever. Thanks for all the great tips! (My husband doesn’t like raisins either, but he loves these cookies.)
Shawnee
I made these this morning, followed the recipe exactly. They were truly delicious. I took them to work with me and the girls just raved about them. Thank you!
Blondie
Can I add pecans without reducing anything else?
Sam
That should work just fine. 🙂
Jody
Will this oatmeal recipe work well with a carrot flavoured oreo inside? Or do u have another oatmeal cookie recipe it would work well with?
Sam
Hmmm, honestly I have never tried making a stuffed cookie with this recipe. I think if the dough is chilled long enough it could potentially work.
Rita
Am so anxious to try this recipe…you never disappoint.
How would dried cranberries work in this recipe? I love raisins but not all my fam does.
Thanks for your hard work and sharing the best of the best!
Sam
Hi Rita! That will work just fine. 🙂
Debra
My husband really likes oatmeal cookies with both raisins and chocolate chips. Can this recipe be modified to include both? Thank you!
Sam
Hi Debra! That will work just fine. I would add about a cup of chocolate chips here. 🙂