Best Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Submitted by Merrie Wold

"This is a family favorite that I have been making for years. It's the most requested oatmeal cookie recipe I've ever made. I found it somewhere years ago, but have lost the source. The secret is soaking the raisins which makes all the difference."

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photo by limeandspoontt

Ready In:: 1hr 10mins
Ingredients:: 12
Yields:: 48 cookies

ingredients

3 eggs, well beaten
1 cup raisins
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 ¹⁄₂ cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 cups oatmeal
³⁄₄ cup chopped pecans

directions

This is a very important first step that makes the cookie: combine eggs, raisins and vanilla and let stand for one hour.
Cream together butter and sugars.
Add flour, salt, cinnamon and soda and mix well.
Blend in egg-raisin mixture, oatmeal, and chopped nuts.
Dough will be stiff.
Drop by heaping teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet, or roll into balls and flatten slightly.
Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned.

Questions & Replies

Okay, this is starting to drive my crazy! Almost every time I make these cookies, my batter is extremely dry. What am I doing wrong? What kind of oatmeal am I supposed to use? Could this be the problem? Any other possible suggestions? Also, I’ve found this is my go-to oatmeal raisin cookie recipe so please do not suggest I try another one to see if I have this problem with another recipe because it will not be happening!

Patricia8
Could I add chocolate chips to this without any issues?

garyguthrie
The cookies are delicious, but they don't turn out like my mother's (same recipe). They are too cakey. Is this too much baking soda? Can I cut it in half perhaps? Any help is appreciated. My mom's always spread out and were so moist and chewy. These are not spreading much and are truly cakey.

Jay C.
I'm making these today...should I make any changes for high altitude?

jasbury055
why are my oatmeal cookies so dry? Please help me. Single dad

jmanleybuilder

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Reviews

Delicious cookies! My daughter and I made these together this afternoon. I found the directions to be very accurate - even down to the number of cookies. I used a small meatball scooper to measure and came up with exactly 72 cookies. They hold their shape well while baking - not much spreading at all. The raisins stayed moist and plump - I liked the unique method of pre-soaking them. On a personal note, I am so happy that Merrie shared this recipe online- I am part of the family mentioned in the description, but since I live very far away, I don't often get a chance to taste her yummy dishes. Thanks for sharing the recipe!

HeatherFeather
The cookies are wonderful...I agree, the secret is in the 'egg-raisin-soak process'. I have discarded my favorite oatmeal cookie recipe and added this one to my file! Thanks for sharing!!!!!

Jan Harroun
This is a great recipe. The cookies came out just crisp enough to be really delicious. Not too soft, not too crisp. My wife considers herself to be an Oatmeal Cookie connoisseur and she raved about the cookies. She even took some to her work place and everyone there enjoyed the cookies. Thanks for posting this recipe.

Budster
I don't usually like cookies, I'm more interested in the dough...but these are more than great, they are awesome!!! I have had to make these 4 times since I got the recipe a week ago, and 3 of the 4 times I had to double the batch. I did add some nutmeg (1 tsp.) to the spices and a little less than 1/4 cup milk to the egg mix. Now I have neighborhood kids coming over just to see if I have baked any more of these wonderful little things. What an awesome recipe!!!

jicamama
YUM! My fiance is very particular about oatmeal raisin cookies and he loved them! They have such a good flavor. I think I may add a few more raisins next time. Thanks for the great recipe!

SiSi446

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Tweaks

Absolutely delicious cookies. I'm not a raisin lover so I used Craisins and walnuts in place of the pecans. I will use this recipe from now on for my oatmeal cookies.

vkhermes
This is my husbands new favorite cookie. It is the best recipe that I have found. Chewy yet crispy. I substitute cranberries for the raisins.

vicky.wener
Made these subbing chopped dates for raisins, coconut sugar for both sugars, 1/2 coconut oil 1/2 butter, and then used quick-cooking steel cut oats. They are fantastic - likely little more chewy than the original recipe due to the steel cut oats. Will make again
Sheila M.
I toasted the pecans in a little butter. Really brings out the flavor of the pecans. I will make this recipe again.

Sunshine Jones
Very easy recipe. Very good but DON'T DOUBLE the recipe. I had difficulty mixing part of the cookie dough and ended up using two mixing bowls for the dough. (wanted to use up all the oatmeal) Substituted 1/4 cup dried chopped strawberries and 1/2 cup dried chopped cherries for some of the raisins.

maryanncwood