If you're a fan of chewy, nutty, and delightfully spiced cookies, these Nutty Oatmeal Raisin Cookies are calling your name. Packed with wholesome oats and crunchy pecans, they're a heartwarming treat perfect for any time of the year.
Butter provides richness and flavor, ensuring a tender cookie. Granulated sugar and brown sugar balance sweetness and moisture, with the brown sugar adding a hint of molasses flavor. Eggs bind everything together and help with leavening. Vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors. All-purpose flour forms the base of the dough. Baking soda and baking powder give a light texture. Salt amplifies flavors, while cinnamon adds warmth. Old-fashioned oats lend chewiness and a hearty texture. Raisins bring natural sweetness and chew. Pecans add a nutty crunch.
These cookies pair wonderfully with a glass of cold milk or a cup of warm chai tea. For an indulgent twist, try them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
First off, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it's ready when you are. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer. Once that's set, crack in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Gradually add these dry ingredients to your creamed mixture. Take your time here, mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
Now comes the fun part! Stir in the oats, raisins, and chopped pecans until they're evenly distributed. The dough will get thick and chunky, which is what you want. Drop spoonfuls of the dough onto ungreased baking sheets, leaving a little space between each one.
Bake in your preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. They'll still be a bit soft in the center when you take them out, but they'll firm up as they cool. Let them rest on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.