Sunday 8 August 2021

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (small batch)

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies 






I confess right here and now that Oatmeal Raisin Cookies are my absolute favorite home baked cookie.   Well, maybe not on its own. Chocolate Chip cookies and Molasses cookies are right up there with them.



What can I say?  I love home baked cookies and it is the simple ones that I love most of all. Good, old fashioned cookies, simple and without pretense.  The types of cookies our grandmothers would have baked.



Oatmeal Raisin Cookies 





My grandmother made the best molasses cookies. So did my mother. I have wonderful memories of both of their cookies (they were the same recipe).



I have never shared the recipe on here actually. You can find that original recipe on my Recipes From the Big Blue Binder blog.  They are very good.   





Oatmeal Raisin Cookies  







The original recipe was written down on the back of an envelope in my grandmother's handwriting.  No instructions as to how to put them together, just a rough list of measurements.  It was very much taken for granted in the old days that a woman would know how to put together a batch of cookies.



That recipe makes a bazillion cookies.  I need to figure out how to small batch it.  I did promise my father that I would make him some molasses cookies, but neither one of us needs a bazillion cookies!





Oatmeal Raisin Cookies





 
The recipe I am sharing here today is for Classic Oatmeal Raisin Cookies.  I small batched them so that it only makes 18 cookies. If you love your oatmeal cookies soft and chewy, this is the recipe for you. 



Soft in the middles, with just enough chew . . .  crisp and buttery edged. And stogged full of vanilla and sticky sweet raisins.



Oatmeal Raisin Cookies




 
I am a gal who likes lots of raisins in her oatmeal cookies.  If you don't like raisins, you better look away now because this cookie has plenty of raisins going on!



Full disclosure here, I probably add more than the amount listed in the recipe.  I was trying to be a bit more reserved than I usually am when I was writing it out.  Basically I just throw them in by the handful until I am happy with the amount.



Oatmeal Raisin Cookies 





But I know most people are sticklers for exact amounts of these things.  And I am when it comes to important things that are going to affect the integrity of the cookie.



When it comes to additions like raisins, nuts and chocolate chips . . . I admit I add what I like.





Oatmeal Raisin Cookies 





You could certainly use another dried fruit if you are not fond of raisins.  Dried cranberries are nice as are dried cherries, chopped dried apricots, dried dates, etc. 



Pick your own pleasure, or just leave them plain.  Or better yet use half raisins and half walnuts.





Oatmeal Raisin Cookies 






Two kinds of sugar are used in this cookie.  White granulated and soft light brown muscovado sugar.




Muscovado sugar is a brown sugar which has a higher molasses content. You can use ordinary light brown sugar if you wish, or regular dark brown sugar.  All three work well.




Oatmeal Raisin Cookies 





I just happen to love LOVE the extra hint of smoky molasses flavor in muscovado sugar.  When I was in the UK that is all I used. It was much more readily available there.



Here in Nova Scotia, well, especially in the Valley, we don't have as much available in the way of different ingredients.  We are simple folk with simple tastes and needs. I always was and then I moved to the UK and stretched my palate a bit  more.




Oatmeal Raisin Cookies 





Lets talk about oatmeal for a minute.  Don't ever be tempted to use quick oats in these cookies.  Quick oats does not have the right consistency.



I use only good old fashioned large flake oats.  You can get away with regular oatmeal, just not quick oats.   



Oatmeal Raisin Cookies





 
I love the toothy wholesomeness of the large flaked oats.  Did you know that you can toast your oats before using them?  



I do, and you end up with delicious oats with an incredible nutty texture and flavor. 10 minutes in a 350*F/180*C oven does the trick beautifully.  Just spread them out on a baking sheet and toast away.  Give 'em a bit of a stir every couple minutes.




Oatmeal Raisin Cookies 





To me the toasted oats are a part of the appeal of a good granola!  I love my nuts and oats toasted.  What can I say! 




Guilty as charged!




Oatmeal Raisin Cookies



 

I add no spice to these, preferring the simple unadulterated taste of toasty oats, butter, raisins and vanilla.  You can if you want to though.




Its a matter of choice.  Cinnamon, nutmeg or both go very well. Be judicious because you don't want anything to overwhelm the cookie and you are only making a few.  For this amount I would try adding 1/2 tsp of cinnamon and maybe 1/4 of nutmeg.




Oatmeal Raisin Cookies 




Make sure your butter is at room temperature, not melted.  Believe it or not, it does make a difference between a buttery cookie or an oily greasy cookie.



I prefer buttery myself.  One sure fire way to bring your butter to room temperature quickly is to cut your fridge cold butter into 1/2 inch slices and place them on a plate.  



Place 2 cups of  cold water in a beaker and pop it into the microwave and cook on high for four minutes.  Remove the water. Pop in your plate of butter and just let it sit in there for five minutes, in the residual heat of the microwave. Easy peasy.




Oatmeal Raisin Cookies 





Having your butter too soft also causes them to spread out more, which is okay if you like them that way I suppose. 



If you want soft and chewy, crisp edged, then room temperature butter is the only way to go. 





Oatmeal Raisin Cookies






Needless to say these go down really well with a nice cold glass of milk.  They would actually be really nice crumbled into a bowl and topped with some vanilla ice cream. 



Yes, I have a mind that stretches to all sorts of possibilities when it comes to food.'



Oh, and (just saying) these make great ice cream sandwiches.  Just sandwich pairs of them together with slightly softened vanilla, cinnamon  or maple walnut ice cream. Wrap them up really well in  plastic wrap and store in the freezer. 



Delicious!


 

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (small batch)

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (small batch)

Yield: Makes 18 cookies
Author: Marie Rayner
Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 13 MinTotal time: 23 Min
Moist, chewy and absolutely stogged full of delicious raisins, these are the best oatmeal cookies ever!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (140g) plain all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup (120g) butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup (95g) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup (100g) light muscovado sugar, firmly packed
  • 1 large free range egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 1/2 (125g) cups old fashioned rolled oats, not instant
  • 1 cup (150g)  raisins

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat the oven to 180*C/350*F. Lightly grease a large baking sheet and set aside.
  2. Whisk the flour, soda, baking powder and salt together in a bowl and set aside.
  3. Cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy and well mixed together. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Gently stir in the flour mixture, mixing it together only until no flour is visible in the mix. (Over mixing develops the gluten in the flour and makes cookies tough.) Gently stir in the oats and the raisins.
  4. Drop the cookie dough onto the baking sheets in heaping tablespoonfuls at least 2 inches apart from each other, leaving room to spread.
  5. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let sit on the baking sheets for several minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. 
  6. Store tightly covered.
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16 comments

  1. Another one of my favourites, Marie. Do have fun tomorrow choosing your kitty. Will you be able to bring him/her home with you or oerhaps they are still too young! And enjoy your brother and sister-in-law's homecoming. Have a lovely Sunday. Love and hugs, Elaine

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    1. I cannot believe I never responded to this comment Elaine! I apologize for that! Love and hugs. xoxo

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  2. You've hit upon my husband's favourite biscuits! I can't ell you how many batches of these I've made for him over the years. He has a biscuit tin in his workshop, marked as "Man Cave Biscuits" and he lets me know when he needs it refilled again with these very biscuits.

    I always add cinnamon as I like it. I have never toasted the oats before, but thank you for that tip - I will do that from now onwards. And I am also generous with the raisins as I love them.

    I can't wait to "meet" your new kitty. I suspect that the cat will choose you, rather than the other way around. They always know who they want as a servant :)

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    1. Thank you Marie. I am so sorry I took so long to respond to your comment. I strongly suspect you are no longer with us and I do miss you so. xoxo

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  3. I love a good, soft oatmeal cookie. Small batch is even better! They'd be great with dried cherries, too!

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  4. These came out just lovely, made twice now. Chewy and very much appreciate having the small batch recipe. Thank you.

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    Replies
    1. You are very welcome! I am pleased you are enjoying them! xo

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  5. These are the most delicious oatmeal cookies EVER! They came out perfect for me the first time. I used dried mixed berries and the were so yummy! Added a little toasted coconut this time and maybe chocolate or white chips next time. So many options!

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    1. I am so pleased that you tried these and enjoyed them. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience. Love your additions! That would be great with white chips! xo

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  6. Why is my dough coming out to thin

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    Replies
    1. Without being in your kitchen and seeing how you put these together, I can’t really say? My dough isn’t thin at all? -Marie

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  7. What can you use instead of Muscovada sugar? Actually never heard of it before.

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    Replies
    1. You can use dark brown sugar in its place. Muscovado sugar is simply a type of sugar with a high molasses content. I hope this helps!

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  8. Consider this one saved, Marie. A soft oatmeal raisin cookie is a wonderous thing!

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    Replies
    1. You just cannot beat a really good oatmeal raisin cookie can you Jeanie! Thank you! o

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