How to Make Delicious Oatmeal Cookies: Recipes, Tips, and History

I. Introduction

Oatmeal cookies are a beloved treat, but many people struggle to make them. If you’ve ever wondered how to get that perfect chewy center, crispy edges, or soft texture, this article is for you. We’ll take you through the step-by-step recipe for classic oatmeal cookies, as well as share tips for making them in different ways. But that’s not all: we’ll explore the history of oatmeal cookies, offer unique and unexpected recipe variations, and give you ideas for making them into personalized gifts. So let’s get started!

II. Step-by-Step Recipe

To make classic oatmeal cookies, you’ll need:

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup brown sugar, packed
½ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
3 cups old-fashioned oats

Here’s what you need to do:

In a bowl, mix the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt). Set aside.
In a bigger bowl, cream the butter and both sugars together using an electric mixer for at least 2 minutes until creamy and fluffy. Add in the eggs and vanilla extract, and mix until well combined.
Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined.
Stir in the oats until well mixed.
Cover the bowl with the dough and place it in the fridge to chill for at least 1 hour (or longer). The dough should become firmer.
Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
Scoop out the dough with a cookie scoop or a spoon. For each cookie, use about 2 tablespoons of dough. Place the cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each to prevent spreading.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers look set but still slightly soft.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!

Tips:

To make chewy oatmeal cookies, bake them for less time (around 10 minutes). For crispy cookies, bake them for a little longer (around 12-15 minutes). For soft cookies, cut the butter down to ¾ cups and bake for 10-12 minutes.
Don’t overmix the dough or you will end up with tough cookies. Mix only until the ingredients are just combined.
You can add raisins, chocolate chips, pecans, or other nuts to the cookie dough if you like.

III. Top 10 Oatmeal Cookie Recipes

Here are 10 unique and delicious oatmeal cookie recipes:

Cranberry White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies: Combine 1 cup dried cranberries, 1 cup white chocolate chips, and 1 tablespoon orange zest with the classic oatmeal cookie dough.
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies: Add ¾ cup of creamy peanut butter to the dough and mix well. Top each cookie with a peanut butter cup before baking (optional).
Maple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies: Replace the granulated sugar with ½ cup of maple syrup and the cinnamon with cardamom, ginger, or pumpkin pie spice.
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies: Add 1 cup of finely chopped apples (peeled) and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to the dough. Increase the cinnamon to 2 teaspoons.
Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies: Mash 2 ripe bananas and mix them with the classic cookie dough. Fold in 1 cup of chocolate chips.
Salted Caramel Oatmeal Cookies: Top each cookie with a dollop of salted caramel sauce before baking (use store-bought or make your own).
Trail Mix Oatmeal Cookies: Replace the raisins with a ½ cup of chopped almonds, ½ cup of sunflower seeds, and ½ cup of dried cranberries or cherries.
Lemon Blueberry Oatmeal Cookies: Fold in 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries and 1 tablespoon of lemon zest to the dough.
Cream Cheese Oatmeal Cookies: Add ½ cup of softened cream cheese to the dough and mix well. Increase the flour by ¼ cup to compensate for the added moisture.
Carrot Cake Oatmeal Cookies: Fold in 1 cup of grated carrots, ½ cup of golden raisins, and 1 teaspoon of ground nutmeg to the dough. Top each cookie with cream cheese frosting after baking (optional).

Whether you want something extra sweet, fruity, or salty, try one of these unique oatmeal cookie recipes the next time you bake.

IV. History of Oatmeal Cookies

Oatmeal cookies date back to the late 1800s, when oats were introduced as a nutritious and affordable ingredient. They were often called “health biscuits” and were sold in health food stores. By the early 1900s, oatmeal cookies had become a popular treat, and variations included adding raisins, nuts, and spices.

In the United States, oatmeal cookies became widely popular during the Great Depression and World War II, when resources were scarce. They were affordable to make, and the ingredients were easy to find. In fact, soldiers were often given oatmeal cookies as part of their rations during the war. Today, oatmeal cookies come in many different variations, including those based on family recipes or cultural traditions.

Other cultures have also adapted oatmeal cookies to their own culinary traditions. In Scotland, for example, oatmeal is a staple ingredient in many traditional dishes, and oatcakes (a type of oatmeal cookie) are a popular snack. Swedish oatmeal cookies often include cardamom and almond flavorings, and Chinese oatmeal cookies are sometimes made with sesame seeds or peanuts.

V. Oatmeal Cookies as a Gift

Oatmeal cookies make a great gift because they are easy to make, can be personalized, and are always appreciated. Here are some tips for packaging and decorating your oatmeal cookies:

Wrap the cookies in cellophane bags, boxes, or tins. Add a ribbon or bow if you like.
Label the cookies with a tag that includes the name of the recipe, ingredients, and any special instructions or dietary information.
Add a personal touch by including a handwritten note or a small gift (like a tea bag or a homemade greeting card).
Decorate the cookies with frosting, sprinkles, or other edible decorations that match the occasion. For example, use red and green sprinkles for holiday cookies or heart-shaped sprinkles for Valentine’s Day.

Oatmeal cookies are perfect for many occasions, including:

Holidays (Christmas, Easter, Hanukkah, Thanksgiving, Halloween)
Birthdays and other celebrations
Thank-yous and appreciation
Housewarming gifts
Wedding or baby shower favors

VI. Oatmeal Cookies With a Twist

Why stick to the traditional oatmeal cookie recipe when you can experiment with new and exciting flavors? Here are some unexpected oatmeal cookie recipes to try:

Chocolate Chip and Banana Oatmeal Cookies: Replace the raisins with 2 ripe mashed bananas and fold in ½ cup of chocolate chips.
Vegan Oatmeal Cookies: Substitute the butter with coconut oil, the eggs with flax eggs, and the milk with almond milk. Use a vegan chocolate chip or dried fruit.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Oatmeal Cookies: Add ¾ cup of peanut butter to the dough and swirl in ¼ cup of jelly or jam. Top each cookie with a peanut butter cup before baking (optional).
Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal Cookies: Mix in 1 tablespoon of cinnamon and ½ cup of cream cheese frosting to the dough. Top with additional frosting after baking (optional).
Chai Spice Oatmeal Cookies: Replace the cinnamon with 2 teaspoons of chai spice (or a mix of ground cardamom, cloves, allspice, and nutmeg) and add ½ cup of chopped candied ginger.

Pair your cookies with a drink or change the way you serve them for a whole new twist:

Enjoy chai spice oatmeal cookies with a cup of hot tea or coffee.
Serve chocolate chip and banana oatmeal cookies with a glass of cold milk or banana smoothie.
Use vegan oatmeal cookies to make an ice cream sandwich. Top each cookie with a scoop of dairy-free ice cream and press another cookie on top to make a sandwich.

VII. Conclusion

With all the variations and recipes we’ve provided, you’re now equipped with everything you need to make the perfect oatmeal cookies. From the classic recipe to unique twists on the traditional formula, there’s something for everyone. Remember, don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun with your oatmeal cookies. Whether you’re baking them for a special occasion, giving them as a gift, or simply indulging in a sweet treat, oatmeal cookies are always a welcome delight.