Soft and Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

My running buddy Sheri Sinclair passed on this recipe. She makes the cookies with dried cranberries, and they are yummy! yield: 26-30 cookies, prep time: 45 minutes (includes chilling), total time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

1 cup (200g) packed light or dark brown sugar

1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 Tablespoon vanilla extract (yes, Tablespoon!)

1 Tablespoon molasses

1 and 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour (spoon & leveled)

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 cups (240g) old-fashioned whole rolled oats

1 cup (140g) raisins2

optional: 1/2 cup (64g) chopped toasted walnuts

Get Ingredients Powered by Chicory

Directions:

1. Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream the softened butter and both sugars together on medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the eggs and mix on high until combined, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Add the vanilla and molasses and mix on high until combined. Set aside.
2. In a separate bowl, toss the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt together. Add to the wet ingredients and mix on low until combined. Beat in the oats, raisins, and walnuts (if using) on low speed. Dough will be thick, yet very sticky. Chill the dough for 30-60 minutes in the refrigerator (do the full hour if you're afraid of the cookies spreading too much). If chilling for longer (up to 2 days), allow to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before rolling and baking.
3. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. (Always recommended for cookies.) Set aside.
4. Roll balls of dough (about 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie) and place 2 inches apart on the baking sheets. Bake for 11-13 minutes until very lightly browned on the sides. The centers will look very soft and undone. Remove from the oven and let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. The cookies will continue to "set" on the baking sheet during this time.

Make ahead tip: Cookies stay fresh covered at room temperature for up to 1 week. Baked cookies freeze well - up to three months. Unbaked cookie dough balls freeze well - up to three months. Bake frozen cookie dough balls for an extra minute, no need to thaw.

Recipe Notes:

• Room temperature eggs preferred. Good rule of thumb: always use room temperature eggs when using room temperature butter.
• Soak your raisins in warm water for 10 minutes before using (blot very well to dry them) - this makes them nice and plump for your cookies. OR even try them with Raisinets!