Oatmeal Cookie Recipes

Chocolate chips are probably the most popular cookie recipes on the Internet but oatmeal cookie recipes have to be a close second. In fact my favorite chocolate chip cookie has oatmeal in it.

I think oatmeal cookies are so popular because of the nutty flavor and "nubby" texture the oatmeal gives to them.

There's also a health factor from adding oatmeal to cookies. Oats are actually higher in protein than wheat and they're loaded with soluble fiber. But I don't really believe cooks are thinking about that when they bake cookies.

About Oats

There are several different processes involved in producing the oats that are available in your local market. Not all are good for cookies.

The first one you don't want to use is steel cut oats. These are the whole oat grains that have been toasted, cut and graded. They're my choice for breakfast but not for cookies.

And you certainly don't want to use those little packets of instant oats. They've been precooked to such a degree that they produce a sticky textured cookie without any character.

The best oats for cookies are either old-fashioned or quick cooking rolled oats.

Rolled oats are made by first toasting the whole oat grain. The grains are then steamed and flattened with rollers to make old-fashioned oats. Quick cooking oats are cut into smaller, quicker cooking pieces before steaming and rolling.

Either old-fashioned rolled oats or quick cooking rolled oats will do nicely for cookies.

I prefer the quick cooking because it gives a more uniform texture that I like. When I use old-fashioned I get a craggier cookie and I'm more aware of the oatmeal when I bite into the cookie. You may prefer that.

I guess you could add oats to most any cookie recipe but for the purist here is a basic oatmeal cookie recipe.

Basic Oatmeal Cookie Recipe

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
3/4 cup vegetable shortening
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups rolled Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Heat oven to 350�F. In large bowl, beat brown sugar, shortening and granulated sugar until creamy. Add egg, water and vanilla; beat well. Add combined oats, flour, salt and baking soda; mix well.

Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake 11 to 13 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Remove to wire rack. Cool completely. Store tightly covered.

The Basic Oatmeal Cookie Recipe makes about 5 dozen cookies.

More Oatmeal Cookie Recipes:

Click Here Now and Join The Cookie Recipe Club

Contact Me