If you’ve been craving a batch of old‑school, soft‑chewy, cinnamon‑kissed Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, this is exactly the recipe you want. No weird ingredients, no complicated steps — just a cozy, nostalgic cookie that tastes like something your grandma would've proudly served with a cup of tea or coffee.
This recipe is based on a traditional method using rolled oats, raisins, butter, cinnamon, and a perfect blend of white + brown sugar for that signature chewy texture. And yes… the brown sugar does make a difference (as explained in the video on my YouTube).
This recipe is the real deal — simple, comforting, and the kind of cookie that makes your kitchen smell like you’ve got your life together.
Let’s get into it.
You’ll Need
Oatmeal (rolled oats/oat flakes) — 3 cups
Raisins — 1½ cups 2 packs
Optional: add ½–1 cup chopped walnuts
Flour – 2 cups
Sugar – 2 cups (preferably half white sugar, half brown sugar)
Eggs – 2
Unsalted butter – 2 sticks (i.e. 1 cup / 8 oz) - softened butter
Baking Powder – 1 teaspoon
Cinnamon Powder – 1 teaspoon
Vanilla – 1 teaspoon
Salt – ½ teaspoon
Baking Soda – ½ teaspoon
1. Mix the dry ingredients
In a bowl, whisk together:
flour
baking powder
baking soda
salt
cinnamon
Set aside.
2. Cream the butter + sugars
In a large mixing bowl:
Add softened butter
Add white sugar + brown sugar
Add eggs
Add vanilla
Beat until smooth and creamy.
3. Add the dry ingredients
Pour the dry mixture into the wet mixture.
Important: Don’t overmix — this keeps the cookies soft, not tough.
4. Add oats + raisins
Switch to a spatula or wooden spoon and fold in:
rolled oats
raisins
Mix until everything is evenly combined.
5. Preheat the oven
Set your oven to:
350°F (180°C)
6. Shape the cookies
Scoop dough into balls, then gently flatten the tops with a spoon.
Leave space between cookies — they spread a little.
7. Bake
Bake for 20–30 minutes, depending on your oven.
Start checking at the 20‑minute mark.
They’re done when:
edges are golden
centers look set but still soft
8. Cool + enjoy
Let them cool on the tray for a few minutes before transferring to a rack.
Serve with tea, coffee, or a cold glass of milk.
Room‑temp butter = better texture Don’t overmix once the flour goes in
Brown sugar = chewier cookies
Soak raisins in warm water for 10 minutes if you want them extra plump
Let cookies cool before moving them
Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days
Freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months
Freeze dough balls for up to 2 months — bake straight from frozen
Once you get a taste of how soft, chewy, and ridiculously comforting they are, you start realizing… oh, there’s a whole universe of delicious little spin‑offs hiding in the wings. And if you happen to notice a few hints sprinkled throughout the process — well, let’s just say the story behind these cookies gets even better when you see it unfold.
What I love about this recipe is how flexible it is. The classic oatmeal‑raisin combo is iconic, but the variations?
Here are some variations you will love to try:
Oatmeal Raisin Walnut Cookies
Add chopped walnuts for crunch.
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Raisin Cookies
Half raisins, half chocolate chips = chaotic good.
Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies
Swap raisins for dried cranberries.
Extra‑Spiced Oatmeal Cookies
Add nutmeg or cloves for a warm bakery vibe.