Sunday 21 February 2021

Thin & Crispy Oatmeal Cookies

 


Most of my baking life I have been on the search for a simple oatmeal cookie recipe that would result in a beautifully crisp oatmeal cookie. I have tried about a bazillion recipes through the years. That's a lot of cookies.

And for the most part I have enjoyed the results of my labours.  I do not think I have ever eaten an oatmeal cookie that I did not fall in love with. I think of all the cookies, oatmeal cookies are my favourites!

I enjoy them in any way shape or form.  Soft and chewy, studded with plump sticky sultana raisins, sweet chocolate chips, toasted nuts, etc.  I do believe however that I have stumbled upon the perfect oatmeal cookie recipe.

Thin.  Crisp. Buttery. Unadulterated by any other flavours save that of butter and vanilla.  Wholesome, oaty. In short. Oatmeal Cookie PERFECTION.


I recently purchased this cookbook by America's Test Kitchen to replace in part at least, some of the cookbooks I had to leave behind in the UK. (My heart will always be broken about that, but it is what it is.)  I had a LOT of baking books. 

I was greatly tempted by this one and have to say I have NEVER been disappointed by any of the ATK cookery books. I have had a few of them through the years and none of them have been duds. This one, thus far is no exception.



Granted, this is the first recipe I have baked from the book. I have to say however, if this recipe is any indication of the quality of cookie recipes contained in the book, I am on to a winner here! 

My sister thought they almost tasted like oat cakes.  And I have to say, that buttery oaty flavour is there in abundance.  I adore the flavour of oats in baked goods.  So wholesome and almost nutty.


These toasty cookies are pleasantly crunchy, even in the centres. This is something which can be very difficult to achieve in a cookie. You often get them crispy edged, but usually the centres can be a bit chewy.

Not so with this one.  Even the centres are perfectly crisp and buttery. That is because they scaled down the amount of sugar somewhat, enabling the oaty flavour to shine through and making for less moisture in the cookies.


There is also not a lot of flour in these cookies. Only one cup. Most cookies take far more than that. In fact there is far more oatmeal in these cookies than there is flour! 

There is a full 2 1/2 cups of oats in these which really makes for a delicious wholesome oaty flavour. It is important to note that you really need to use the old fashioned oats, not the quick or instant oats.


I only ever very rarely have quick or instant oats in my cupboard and when I do it is usually in the form of those premeasured breakfast cereal packets.  I prefer old fashioned oats on every level.

Wholesome. Toothsome. Hearty.  Delicious. In this house organic non gmo oats are the preference.

Thin & Crispy Oatmeal Cookies

 You want to use butter that is soft, but still cool if that makes sense. We pop it into the microwave for about 3 to 4 seconds.  This yields a butter that is spreadable, but still holds its shape.

This gets whipped together with two kinds of sugar.  Granulated white and soft light brown. I have come to recognise that granulated white sugar here in the UK is the same as castor sugar in the UK.  It has much finer granules than the granulated sugar you will see in the UK.



One reason this is desirable when it comes to baking is because of its ability to melt into batters and doughs without leaving a grainy texture.  Ever baked a cake and had it come out looking a bit speckled on top?

These are sugar granules that have not quite melted into the batter.  That's why it is important when baking to use a finer granulated sugar. If yours is too granulated, you can blitz it in a food processor to break it down a bit.


The use of a bit of brown sugar gives these an almost caramel like flavour. I love the flavour of brown sugar in bake goods.  There is not enough to make the cookies soft, just enough to give them a hint of caramel. 

Brown sugar has more moisture in it than white sugar. This is due to the molasses content.  Did you know if you have run out of brown sugar you can substitute white sugar for it with the addition of a bit of molasses?


If you have run out of brown sugar and need to make your own, mix 1 cup (200 grams) of granulated white sugar with 1 tablespoon  of molasses. 
 
If you need dark brown sugar,  simply increase the molasses to 2 tablespoons. Easy peasy. Just stir it all together.


Also, if you don’t have molasses on hand, you can easily swap it out for maple syrup with almost no change to your recipe’s final product. 
 
Combine 1 cup (200 grams) of granulated white sugar with 1 tablespoon of pure maple syrup to make a brown sugar substitute that can fool just about anyone. There is no acutely discernable difference in taste.

Thin & Crispy Oatmeal Cookies


I have to say that I cannot recommend this Oatmeal Cookie highly enough. They are crisp and moreish.  Buttery.  Oaty.  The best Oatmeal Cookie.

My search is over. These truly are the perfect oatmeal cookie!

Thin & Crispy Oatmeal Cookies

Thin & Crispy Oatmeal Cookies

Yield: Makes 2 dozen
Author: Marie Rayner
prep time: 10 Mincook time: 16 Mintotal time: 26 Min
This is the crispest, most delicious oatmeal cooki I have ever baked or eaten. Incredibly moreish.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (140g) plain/all purpose flour
  • 3/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
  • 14 TBS butter, softened but still cold (200g/7 ounces)
  • 1 cup (195g) granulated sugar (In the UK caster sugar)
  • 1/4 cup (50g) soft light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 large free range egg
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups (200g) old fashioned rolled oats (not quick oats)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 180*C/350*F/ gas mark 4.  Have ready several large baking sheets that you have lined with baking parchment.
  2. Beat the granulated sugar, brown sugar and butter together at low speed, just until combined.  Increase the speed to medium and beat until light in colour and fluffy. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
  3. Beat in the egg and vanilla.
  4. Sift together the flour, soda, salt and baking powder.  Stir into the creamed mixture just to incorporate and then stir in the oats until thoroughly blended.
  5. Using a cookie scoop (or by 2 TBS measures), drop the dough (roll into balls) onto the baking sheet leaving about 3 inches in between each.  Lightly press down with your fingrs until the balls are 3/4 inch thick.
  6. Bake, one sheet at a time, until goldn brown with crisp edges. This will tak abou 13 o 16 minutes depending on your oven. (mine took 16)
  7. Leave on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before scooping off onto a wire rack to finish cooling completely.
  8. Store in an airtight container.
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Thin & Crispy Oatmeal Cookies

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26 comments

  1. It's interesting how something like sugar can be so different in different countries. I noticed when I moved here that the sugar was not the same as what I was used to. In Australia we use cane sugar and here it comes from sugar beets and it does not behave the same way in all recipes as cane sugar. And there's no caster sugar here at all, so I have to blitz the sugar always before use as it is very coarse grained here.

    I didn't know that you could use white sugar and molasses to substitute for brown sugar. What a clever tip. I'll squirrel that one away in case I need it.

    I love oatmeal cookies and count both Raisin and Oatmeal Cookies and Anzac biscuits as my very favourites. These are a must try - and I have everything here to do just that. I see baking in my future this afternoon :)

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    1. I know what you mean about the difference in sugars Marie. I had always just thought that sugar was the same everywhere. Not so! A good baker can master the difference happily enough! I hope you baked and enjoyed the cookies! xoxo

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    2. My grandmother and mother in law made these and they’re a family favorite. Only difference is that she rolled the dough into a log, froze it and then sliced it to make the cookies. My father in law lives with me and has Alzheimer’s. These cookies are one of the few things he remembers and requests literally daily!

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  2. I'm going to be doing a baking day next weekend, so these have been put on the roster. I love a good oatmeal cookie that is a little crisp. Thanks! Much love - Raquel XO

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    1. Prepare yourself to fall in love Raquel! xoxo

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  3. These look really good. A nice oatmeal cookie really hits the spot. I'll be keeping this one, maybe even making it soon!

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    1. I hope you do Jeanie and that you enjoy them! Xoxo

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  4. Marie, I am addicted to these cookies! I am preparing to bake my third batch since you posted the recipe recently. My brother also likes them and we both were ready for a different cookie. Thank you. Susan

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    1. That makes me happy Susan! So pleased you and your brother are enjoying them so much! xoxo

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  5. Thank you so much for this delicious recipe. I made them last week & could hardly stop eating them. Normally I make a soft oatmeal cookie, but these are so much better. This is now my favorite oatmeal cookie recipe. I will be making your "Winter Vegetable Soup w/ Cheese Dumplings" tomorrow & I know it will be delicious as well. Thanks for all the yummy recipes. I look forward to your newsletter with new recipes each day in my inbox.

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    1. That makes me so happy that you enjoy these!! You will also love that soup I guarantee! At least I hope you will! Thanks so much for your generous comment!! xoxo

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  6. Your oatmeal cookie recipe is the "Best" and two dozen cookies just seem to disappear overnight. My two little granddaughters came for tea (each one had their own little "house" teapots)and they couldn't stop eating them and when one suggested dunking them in their peppermint tea, their smiles of delight shone. This will certainly be a must keep recipe.

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    1. I am so pleased you baked and enjoyed these Jo and I had to smile at the thought of your wee granddaughters enjoying them with some peppermint tea. How very wonderful! High accolade indeed! xoxo

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  7. These cookies sound good. I'm curious though, what happens if you use quick oats?

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    1. Your cookies will not turn out with the same texture and consistency.

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  8. Shame the ingredients are using American cups rather than grams - bit ironic considering this is The English Kitchen.

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    1. I think if you bothered to really read the recipe you would have recognized that I share both american measures and metric grams. I do that with all of my recipes. You should have gone to Spec Savers, lol

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    2. Love your response!

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  9. I have made these yummy cookies probably 20 times!! This time I used high protein rolled oats which doubles the protein. Zero change in taste and another reason to keep making this cookie!

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  10. Love these cookies I just added raisins , could you post the calorie count please

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    1. I am pleased you are enjoying them. I am not sure how to figure out the calories. Sorry!

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  11. Thank you Marie for this delicious cookie. I had never tried crisp oatmeal cookies, only soft ones. The soft are good, but these are outstanding. Just simple ingredients & now these are my favorite & really the only oatmeal cookie I bake. Thank you so much for this recipe.

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    1. I am so pleased you enjoy these cookies Mary! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your feedback and comment. It is very much appreciated!

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  12. I have tried many oatmeal cookie recipes and have never found one that was crispy enough. I just made this recipe and it is the one I’ve been searching for!! I added raisins and dried tart cherries.

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    1. I am so pleased that you baked and enjoyed these Randy! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your feedback! It is very much appreciated! I love the idea of adding both raisins and cherries. That sounds really tasty!

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