Jumbo Oatmeal-Raisin Cookies

September 16, 2011 by Heather Fink 3 Comments

Golden Raisins and sweetened coconut make these hand-sized oatmeal cookies extra chewy.

These yummy treats will turn nearly anyone into cookie monsters. When we served these at a gathering where several children were present who are known for being very picky eaters, they couldn’t get enough of our cookies. In fact, one of our favorite little 3-year-old friends grabbed a handful of them before leaving the party. We laughed as his eyes darted around the room to make sure no one noticed what he’d done before he escaped his “covert operation.” We know your guests will want to swipe some for themselves too, so be sure to make plenty to go around!

PREP: 20 minutes + 30 minutes chill time
BAKE: 20 minutes + 5 minutes cool time

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups rolled oats
2 cups golden raisins
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut or 1 cup unsweetened coconut and 1/4 cup of confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium glass bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
With an electric mixer, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Add flour mixture; beat just until combined. Add oats, raisins, coconut and cinnamon; beat just until combined.
Cover dough loosely with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Drop level 1/4-cup measures of dough, 1 ½ inches apart, onto baking sheets.
Bake until cookies have spread and are golden brown and soft to the touch, 18 to 20 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through. Cool 5 minutes on sheets; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

TIP: You can also freeze unbaked cookies and bake them later. Place unbaked cookies on baking sheets and freeze until firm, about 30 minutes. Transfer to resealable plastic bags (label and date); keep up to 6 months. Bake as many as you need (without thawing); place 1 1/2 inches apart on a baking sheet. Bake 20 to 25 minutes.

YIELDS: 2 dozen

Filed under Food Tagged with baking, cinnamon, cookies, entertaining, food, oatmeal, raisins, recipes

About Heather Fink
Heather Fink is a writer, bibliophile and award-winning librarian who loves to introduce the next generation of readers to the wonderful world of books. She currently resides in Texas.