Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat baking mat. This preparation will ensure that your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick.
In a small bowl, add the raisins and cover them with water. Allow them to sit for about five minutes. This step is important because it helps to plump the raisins, making them juicier when baked. After soaking, remember to drain them well and let them dry on a paper towel.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy. You should see a lovely light color as the ingredients blend together, indicating they’re well incorporated.
In another small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. This step is essential as it evenly distributes the dry ingredients, ensuring a consistent flavor throughout the cookies.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, mixing until combined. Don’t overmix; you want to keep the cookies tender. The dough will be somewhat thick but should hold together well.
Gently fold in the old-fashioned oats and the plumped raisins. Stir until they are evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough. Make sure each cookie gets a fair share of those delicious raisins!
Spoon about a tablespoon of dough into a round ball and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Leave about two inches between each cookie to allow for spreading while baking.
Pop the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes. Look for a golden edge while the centers remain a bit soft. This timing helps achieve that perfect chewy texture.
Once baked, take them out of the oven and let them cool on the hot baking sheet for about five minutes. This step is crucial as it allows the cookies to firm up before transferring them to a cooling rack. Enjoy the aroma that fills your kitchen while they cool down!