I’m serious, about the title. I was given this recipe about 1,042 years ago. I’m dubious about such boastful claims but it’s true. The reason these cookies are the BEST is a little secret. It’s this:
‘Gross! What’s THAT?!’ you ask. Well it would be the raisins soaking in the eggs and vanilla for an hour before being incorporated into the batter and believe me it makes this a different kind of cookie. Always plump, soft in the middle, but with structure (not crumble, wimpy or overly soft).
Righteous Oatmeal Cookies
Adapted from the Colorado Cache Cookbook
Ingredients
· 3 eggs, well beaten
· 1 cup raisins
· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
· 1 cup butter
· 1 cup brown sugar
· 1 cup white sugar
· 2 ½ cups flour
· 1 teaspoon salt
· 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
· 2 teaspoons baking soda
· 2 cups oatmeal (substitute ½ cup wheat germ if desired)
· ¾ cup chopped pecans
Substitution options:
Gluten Free: substitute your preferred gluten free flour blend for the same amount of the flour, add 1 ½ teaspoons xanthan gum and use gluten free oatmeal.
Healthier/high energy variation: Instead of the pecans (which are delicious in this recipe but I did not have any on hand) I used a mixture of raw sunflower seeds and raw pumpkin seeds (run through the chopper), shelled hemp seeds and chia seeds, combined for a total amount of ¾ cups (same volume as the pecans). It gives the same crunch and flavor of nuts but I think you get more reserve energy from them.
One issue with gluten free baking is a lower protein and fiber so I add hemp and chia seeds to most everything. Chia seeds (you know ‘cha-cha-cha Chia PET’, those seeds but now they are embraced by health and foodie purveyors as an up and coming SUPER food) are the size of a poppy seed with literally no taste. The Aztecs would take some in their mouths and chew them as they trekked all day long understanding their protein benefit.
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine the eggs, raisins and vanilla in a small bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature for an hour.
3. Cream together butter and sugars.
4. In a separate bowl combine the flour, salt, cinnamon, and baking soda (as well as xanthan gum if making them gluten free). Add to the butter/sugar mixture and beat to combine.
5. Blend in the egg/raisin mixture, oatmeal (and wheat germ if you choose to), and chopped pecans (or the seed mixture). The dough will combine but be stiff.
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The dough with the seed mixture (pre-mixing)  |
6. Place spoonfuls onto a silpat or ungreased cookie sheet. I sometimes roll mine into balls and flatten a bit to ensure they are intact before baking. Bake approximately 12 minutes or until slightly brown. I used a larger dining spoon for mine (so they were a bit over a tablespoon uncooked) and mine cooked 16 minutes. All ovens and altitudes affect the baking so keep a watch out!
Lea Ann says
I think that raisin soaking in egg thing is the ticket! Great idea and wonderful looking cookies.
kitchenarian says
I love oatmeal cookies; they are one of my favorites. Years ago I decided that they are a great breakfast food because they are so healthy!! It's my no guilt breakfast cookie. I am going to whip up some of these soon. Thanks for the recipe!
Jennifer-Adventuresome Kitchen says
I love the Colorado Cache Cookbook- and the raisins soaking in the egg/vanilla- what a great technique! I'm going to have to hunt down my mom's old cookbook from the 80's. She cooked out of it all the time. Thanks for posting the GF option too! 🙂
highplainsdrifters says
Science Friday has had a bunch of food science stories lately. Worth looking up. Simple stuff like accounting for the melting point of sugar: bake below 367° and the sugar doesn't melt, so you get a different consistency in your product than you would if you baked at 368° or higher.
Anyway, seems that allowing the liquids, like egg and vanilla, to sit for a while blends the flavors into the solids better than immediately baking right after mixing.
Will have to try this next time. Thanks!
Magic of Spice says
A very interesting technique…makes sense though.
These cookies do look delicious 🙂
Lori says
Oh, I bet soaking the raisins makes these cookies awesome! Kind of reminds me of fruit cake minus bourbon. 🙂 Love that polka dot ribbon in the photo.
Lizzy says
I've made this recipe, too, after a friend told me this was her favorite oatmeal cookie recipe…love those Jr. League Colorado cookbooks! BUT, I've never soaked my raisins…what a fabulous idea! I'm craving these now!!
I'm so glad you made that orbit cake (SO good!)…and I'm going right over to Amazon to put his ice cream book on my wish list so I don't forget about it!!!
My Kitchen in the Rockies says
I don't own this cookbook. Looks like I am missing out. Great oatmeal cookie recipe that works in High Altitude, bookmarked!!
I usually soak raisins for baking in rum, but like your idea a lot, too. Thanks.
ping says
So nice of you to share this secret. I really have to try this out, sounds great! Thanks for sharing.
Diann G says
Can't wait to try these soon. Using the seed mixture is different. Might have to try it that way.
rosemarried says
Toni, these look amazing! I'm going to have to try this recipe. I'm a sucker for a good oatmeal cookie.:)
Rosemary says
I trust you! Thanks for sharing this little secret . . it will make my husband very happy. Just his kind of cookie. (If a few nuts were in there too, he'd be ecstatic.) Thanks for divulging!
Dimah says
These look delicious and simple! Thanks for sharing!
Hope you’re having a wonderful day!
Lemons and Anchovies says
Oh, wow. I just realized that I have this cookbook. Will have to check it out again. I've never heard of soaking raisins in egg before but I can see how that would work. Thanks for the gluten-free option, too. I've never cooked that way but my husband would love that version.
Have a great day!
Megan@foodalution.com says
Genius…. I am totally going to soak my raisins next time… it actually sounds delicious! I like the idea of hemp and chia seeds…. a hiking cookie! Have a super Wednesday! – Megan
Hug a tree with me says
this sounds interesting ill have to give it a try. a new fan from http://hugatreewithme2.blogspot.com
UrMomCooks says
I am always happy to find an oatmeal cookie recipe! Luv the tip about the raisins – these look delicious!
kitchenmorph says
hahha…i'm glad to befriend you; you've a nice and funny way of writing. and yes these were the oatmeal cookies i was looking for. thank you for the secret and my oatmeal is soon gonna be washed off the shelf.
highplainsdrifters says
The Colorado Cache was one of the first cookbooks we bought after getting married. Used to go months using nothing but the Denver Junior League recipes.
Anonymous says
I randomly found this on line. I did the gluten free version with my 4 year old. She gagged on the dough(normaly her fav part of baking). I was disheartened….but alas they were amazingly good. I think I undercooked them a bit but it didn't matter. It just made them more chewy.
Boulder Locavore says
Hi Anonymous! Thanks for your comment and I'm glad all turned out well in the end. My first question was what type of gluten free flour did you use? As you probably know there are many and some have a very distinct flavor. One frequently used is Gar-fava which I think must have a good binding ability since it is in so many mixes and recipes. I personally do not like it for the beany taste. I tend to use more neutral flavored flours (usually a mix of tapioca, rice and potato starches and flours) leaving the end result more like gluten flour in taste. This is a chewier cookies which I think makes it great but that's really so personal to one's preference.
Debbie says
Yep…this is definitely the best Oatmeal Raisin Cookie you will ever try! Made them last night for the hubby….needless to say…he owes me!