Easy Oatmeal Cookies
The ultimate comfort food, these Easy Oatmeal Cookies are chewy, sweet, and incredibly satisfying. With just a handful of ingredients, they make for a perfect snack or dessert any time of the day. Bake a batch tonight and enjoy the warm aroma filling your home!
Equipment
- Cookie Sheet
- medium cookie scoop
Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1½ cups brown sugar
- 1 egg egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2¼ cups old-fashioned oats
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 325°F (160°C). This is important because having a properly heated oven helps the cookies bake evenly and achieve that lovely golden edge.
- Line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This ensures that the cookies won't stick and makes cleanup a breeze. Using parchment paper can also help the cookies bake more evenly.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ¾ cup unsalted butter and 1½ cups brown sugar. Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat at medium speed until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. This step is crucial because it helps to incorporate air, giving your cookies a light texture.
- Add 1 egg and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture. Beat for another minute until well combined. The egg adds moisture and helps with the binding.
- Next, in another bowl, whisk together 1½ cups all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; you want the dough to be just blended.
- Now, gently fold in 2¼ cups old-fashioned oats. The mixture will seem a bit tacky but should still be manageable. If it feels too sticky to handle, add a tablespoon of flour at a time until it’s workable.
- Roll the dough into balls measuring between 1 to 1½ inches. As you roll, you’ll notice the delightful texture of the oats. Place these dough balls on the prepared cookie sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. This space allows them to spread while baking.
- Slide the baking sheets into your preheated oven and bake for about 10 to 14 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the edges turn a light golden brown and the centers are set but still soft. The aroma wafting through your kitchen will be hard to resist!
- Once done, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This cooling process allows the cookies to firm up, ensuring they don’t fall apart when you move them.
Notes
- Tip 1: We use old-fashioned oats for the classic chewy texture, but quick oats can be used and will produce a softer cookie.
- Tip 2: While plain oatmeal cookies are divine, we often add chopped nuts, raisins, or chocolate chips to the dough.
- Tip 3: The butter needs to be at room temperature. Too cold, and it won’t mix in well. Too warm, and the cookies will spread flat in the oven.