Best Oatmeal Cookies(7 To 8 Dozen)
Chewy, flavorful oatmeal cookies packed with raisins, nuts, and chocolate chips, perfect for satisfying sweet cravings and suitable for all ages and occasions.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups raisins ⓘ
- 1 cup water ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon baking soda ⓘ
- 1 cup margarine ⓘ
- 1 1/4 cups sugar ⓘ
- 2 eggs ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 3 cups flour ⓘ
- 4 teaspoons cinnamon ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons ground cloves ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons nutmeg ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon vanilla ⓘ
- 2 cups quick rolled oats ⓘ
- 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts ⓘ
- 12 ounces real chocolate chips ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine raisins and water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Add baking soda; stir well.
- Let cool and then drain, reserving the liquid.
- In a large bowl, cream margarine and sugar with an electric mixer.
- Add eggs to the creamed mixture.
- In a separate bowl, mix flour, salt, cinnamon, ground cloves, and nutmeg.
- Alternately add the flour mixture and raisin liquid to the creamed mixture, mixing well after each addition.
- Add vanilla and quick oats, mixing well. Remove from mixer.
- Using a large spoon, mix in raisins, chopped walnuts, and chocolate chips.
- Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
- Do not flatten the cookies.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8 to 10 minutes, until cookies are just set and soft.
Tips & Substitutions
For a chewier texture, consider substituting half of the quick rolled oats with old-fashioned oats. If you're out of raisins, you can use dried cranberries or chopped dates instead. To enhance the flavor, try adding a tablespoon of orange zest. Make sure to use room temperature margarine for easier creaming with sugar.
Serving Suggestions
These oatmeal cookies are delightful on their own but pair beautifully with a glass of milk or a warm cup of tea. For an extra treat, serve them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream. They also make a great addition to a dessert platter featuring American recipes or as a sweet surprise at a gathering.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, place them in the freezer, where they can last for up to three months. To reheat, simply microwave for a few seconds or warm them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until just heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Best Oatmeal Cookies(7 To 8 Dozen) contains roughly 1449 calories, with 31g protein, 217g carbohydrates, and 43g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (191% of the Daily Value), vitamin A (108% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (70% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use butter instead of margarine?
Yes, you can substitute butter for margarine in this recipe. Just make sure it's softened to room temperature for easier mixing. The cookies may have a slightly richer flavor with butter.
How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
The cookies are done when they are just set and still soft in the center. They will firm up as they cool. Avoid overbaking to ensure a chewy texture.
Can I add other mix-ins to the cookies?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with different mix-ins such as shredded coconut, dried fruit, or even peanut butter chips for variety. Just keep the overall mix-ins to about 2 to 2.5 cups.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).