Classic Oatmeal Cookies Recipe

Easy Classic Oatmeal Cookies Recipe: Golden, Chewy Delights

Soft, chewy oatmeal cookies with a classic touch burst with nostalgic memories of grandma’s kitchen.

These beloved oatmeal cookies recipe deliver comfort in every delectable bite.

Warm spices mingle with hearty rolled oats, creating an irresistible aroma that fills your home.

Each cookie promises a perfect balance of sweetness and texture that feels like a warm hug.

The simple ingredients blend seamlessly to craft a timeless treat everyone adores.

Packed with wholesome goodness, these cookies transform an ordinary afternoon into a delightful moment of pure joy.

Bake a batch and watch smiles light up the room.

Why Classic Oatmeal Cookies Are a Staple

  • Craft Comfort Classics: These oatmeal cookies deliver a warm, nostalgic taste that transports you straight to grandma's kitchen with their rich, homemade goodness.
  • Master Simple Baking Skills: Perfect for beginners, this recipe teaches fundamental baking techniques like toasting oats, creaming butter, and mixing ingredients smoothly.
  • Customize Your Treats: Flexible recipe allows switching between raisins and chocolate chips, making it adaptable for different taste preferences and dietary needs.
  • Family-Friendly Baking Adventure: Engaging recipe provides a delightful opportunity for kids and adults to bond while creating delicious cookies together, sparking joy and creating memories.
Base Ingredients:
  • Oats: Hearty whole grain that provides texture and nutty flavor to the cookies.
  • Flour: Provides structure and binding for the cookie dough.
  • Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create a soft, tender cookie texture.
  • Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Contribute sweetness and help create a chewy cookie.
Spice and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Warm spices that add depth and complexity to the cookie's flavor profile.
  • Vanilla Extract: Provides a classic sweet aroma and enhances overall cookie taste.
Binding and Texture Ingredients:
  • Eggs: Help bind the ingredients and provide structure to the cookies.
  • Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and create a soft, tender texture.
  • Cornstarch: Adds tenderness and helps prevent the cookies from becoming too hard.
Optional Mix-Ins:
  • Raisins, Chocolate Chips: Add extra flavor and texture to the classic oatmeal cookie.
Seasoning Ingredients:
  • Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.

Steps for Baking Soft Oatmeal Cookies

Step 1: Toast Oats and Warm Up Oven

Crank the oven to 350°F. Spread oats across a rimmed baking sheet and toast them until they turn golden and release a nutty aroma, stirring once midway.

This should take about 8-10 minutes. Let the oats cool down completely.

Step 2: Blend Dry Components

In a spacious mixing bowl, whisk together these dry ingredients:
  • Flour
  • Cinnamon
  • Nutmeg
  • Baking soda
  • Cornstarch
  • Salt
  • Cooled toasted oats

Step 3: Whip Butter and Sweeteners

Grab an electric mixer and beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium speed until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This takes around 1-2 minutes.

Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each. Pour in vanilla extract and blend until smooth.

Step 4: Marry Wet and Dry Mixtures

Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Mix until just combined.

If desired, fold in raisins or chocolate chips.

Step 5: Form Cookie Dough Balls

Scoop approximately 2 tablespoons of dough for each cookie.

Place them on parchment-lined baking sheets, keeping about 2 inches of space between each cookie.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the cookies into the oven and bake in batches for 10-12 minutes.

Look for crisp edges and set centers. Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.

Step 7: Savor the Treat

Dive into these delightfully chewy, spice-infused oatmeal cookies that are perfect for any moment!

  • Toasting oats before mixing enhances their nutty flavor and adds a rich, golden complexity to the cookies.
  • Let eggs and butter reach room temperature to ensure even mixing and prevent dry, crumbly cookies.
  • Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to help cookies maintain their shape and prevent excessive spreading.
  • Swap raisins with dried cranberries, chopped nuts, or dark chocolate chips for personalized flavor variations.
  • Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain their soft, chewy texture.
  • Gluten-Free Oatmeal Delight: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version. Ensure oats are certified gluten-free to prevent cross-contamination.
  • Vegan Oatmeal Comfort: Swap eggs with mashed banana or flax eggs. Use coconut oil instead of butter and maple syrup in place of granulated sugar for a plant-based alternative.
  • Nutty Chocolate Oatmeal Crunch: Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter. Replace raisins with dark chocolate chunks for a rich, textured cookie experience. Sprinkle sea salt on top for extra depth of flavor.

Pairings to Enjoy With Oatmeal Cookies

  • Pair with Warming Chai Latte: The spicy, aromatic chai perfectly complements the cinnamon and nutmeg in these oatmeal cookies, creating a cozy flavor harmony that enhances the cookie's warm spice profile.
  • Match with Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream: Serve these cookies alongside a scoop of smooth vanilla ice cream for a delightful contrast between the warm, chewy cookie and the cold, silky dessert that melts in your mouth.
  • Serve with Rich Caramel Espresso: A bold espresso or caramel-infused coffee balances the sweetness of the cookies, while the deep coffee notes highlight the toasted oats and brown sugar undertones.

Storing Oatmeal Cookies for Snacking

  • Store cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers. Keep refrigerated for up to 7 days, maintaining their soft texture and preventing staleness.
  • Roll cookie dough into a log, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 3 months. Slice and bake directly from frozen state, adding 2-3 extra minutes to baking time.
  • Place completely cooled cookies in freezer-safe containers with wax paper between layers. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
  • Keep cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for 3-4 days. Place a slice of bread inside to help maintain moisture and prevent cookies from drying out.

FAQs

  • Why toast the oats before mixing them into the cookie dough?

Toasting oats enhances their nutty flavor and brings out a deeper, richer taste that adds complexity to the cookies.

  • Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?

No, rolled oats are recommended for the best texture and consistency in these classic oatmeal cookies.

  • How do I know when the cookies are perfectly baked?

Look for crisp edges and set centers. The cookies should be golden brown but still slightly soft in the middle when you remove them from the oven.

  • Is cornstarch really necessary in this recipe?

Yes, cornstarch helps create a softer, more tender cookie by preventing excess gluten formation and adding a delicate texture to the final baked treat.

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Classic Oatmeal Cookies Recipe

Classic Oatmeal Cookies Recipe


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4.9 from 25 reviews

  • Total Time: 32 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Grandma’s classic oatmeal cookies deliver comfort wrapped in nostalgic sweetness. Warm cinnamon and hearty rolled oats create irresistible homemade goodness you cannot resist savoring with a cold glass of milk.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (2 sticks / 226 grams) unsalted butter
  • 2 large eggs

Sweeteners:

  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar

Spices and Additions:

  • 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup raisins (optional, or substitute with chocolate chips)

Instructions

  1. Toast oats on a rimmed baking sheet at 350F for 8-10 minutes, stirring once, until golden and aromatic. Allow oats to cool completely.
  2. Whisk flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, cornstarch, salt, and cooled toasted oats together in a large mixing bowl.
  3. Cream butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, approximately 1-2 minutes.
  4. Incorporate eggs individually into the butter mixture, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Blend in vanilla extract until well combined.
  5. Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring until just incorporated. Gently mix in raisins or chocolate chips.
  6. Drop dough by 2-tablespoon portions onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing cookies 2 inches apart.
  7. Bake in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, ensuring edges are crisp and centers are set. Let cookies rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes.
  8. Transfer cookies to wire rack and cool completely before serving. Savor the delightful, spiced oatmeal treats.

Notes

  • Enhance oat flavor by toasting them before mixing, which deepens the nutty taste and adds a subtle roasted aroma to the cookies.
  • Try mix-ins like dried cranberries, chopped nuts, or white chocolate chips to create unique flavor variations and personalize the recipe.
  • Ensure ingredients are at room temperature for better blending and a more consistent cookie texture, especially butter and eggs.
  • Make the recipe gluten-free by substituting all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and using certified gluten-free oats for those with dietary restrictions.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 134
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 129 mg
  • Fat: 6 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 27 mg
Jess Martinez

Jess Martinez

Contributing Recipe Writer & Nutrition Consultant

Expertise

Southwestern and Latin American cooking, Nutritional analysis and healthy recipe planning, Cultural food traditions, Modifying traditional dishes for better health

Education

Santa Fe Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts

Focused on mastering the flavors and cooking methods of traditional Southwestern cuisine.


Jess’s love for bold, homegrown flavors led her straight into the world of Southwestern cooking and cultural nutrition.
After completing her Certificate in Culinary Arts at Santa Fe Community College, she made it her mission to show that good-for-you food can still taste incredible.
At saltytart.com, Jess shares vibrant, health-conscious recipes with roots in tradition but a fresh, modern twist. When she’s not testing new recipes, you’ll find her at local growers’ markets, tending her herb garden, or digging into food history books.

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