Are you craving a warm, chewy cookie that evokes feelings of comfort and nostalgia? Then look no further! This recipe for David's Famous Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies is your answer. These aren't your average, dry oatmeal raisin cookies; these are bursting with flavor, wonderfully chewy, and incredibly easy to make. Perfect for a cozy night in, a bake sale, or simply satisfying a sweet tooth, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Get ready to experience homemade cooking at its finest – a recipe that's both a quick dinner dessert and a delicious dish!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 cups rolled oats (old-fashioned or quick-cooking)
- 1 cup raisins (or other dried fruit, see variations below!)
Instructions:
-
Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
-
Cream Together: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. A stand mixer works great, but a hand mixer or even good old-fashioned elbow grease will do the trick!
-
Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
-
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
-
Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay!
-
Add Oats and Raisins: Stir in the rolled oats and raisins.
-
Scoop and Bake: Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
-
Bake to Perfection: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are still slightly soft.
-
Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Resist the urge to eat them warm – although it’s tempting!
Tips for the Best Cookies:
- Softened Butter is Key: Make sure your butter is truly softened; this ensures that it creams properly with the sugars, resulting in a light and fluffy cookie.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing the dough will develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
- Baking Time Varies: Oven temperatures can vary, so keep an eye on your cookies and adjust the baking time as needed.
Variations:
- Nutty Delight: Add ½ cup chopped walnuts, pecans, or macadamia nuts to the dough.
- Chocolate Chunk Heaven: Swap out some or all of the raisins for chocolate chunks. Semi-sweet, dark chocolate, milk chocolate – the choice is yours!
- Dried Fruit Fiesta: Experiment with other dried fruits like cranberries, chopped apricots, or cherries.
Nutritional Information (per cookie, approximate):
- Calories: 150-200
- Fat: 8-10g
- Carbohydrates: 20-25g
- Sugar: 10-15g
- Protein: 2-3g
These values are estimates and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.
This easy recipe for David's Famous Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies is perfect for anyone looking for a delicious and satisfying treat. It's a simple recipe ideal for both beginners and experienced bakers seeking healthy meals and quick dinner ideas. Enjoy the process and the delicious results!