Friday, February 29, 2008

100: the best chewy oatmeal raisin cookies ever


So, I wasn't going to blog today. I'm tired, it's raining, the pictures wouldn't come out right...but then I realized that it's the 29th of February, and I won't have the chance to blog on this day for 4 years. Plus, I made the best, chewiest oatmeal cookies I've ever had, and if that doesn't deserve some sort of mention, then I don't know what does!

Oatmeal cookies are my favorite kind of everyday cookie, as long as their chewy. I've tried so many recipes, and none of them have ever really come out right. I spotted this recipe from Nick Malgieri via David Lebovitz's website a while ago, and I knew I wanted to try it. First, because it's David Lebovitz and his blog is totally cool, and oh yeah, his recipes ain't bad either. And he says they're chewy. And the whole batch only has 2tbsp of fat! Most oatmeal cookie recipes call for 1 cup of butter!


Well, I was not disappointed. These are as chewy and delicious as any I've ever had. There's no way anyone would ever guess that they're actually (sort of) healthy. The search for the best oatmeal cookie is over!

I made these as written, with the substituion of a little flax for the egg. (Sorry, David. It's not like I substituted tofu for the oats or anything!)

And oh yeah, this is my 100th post!


Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (makes 24)

1 cup flour (spoon flour into dry-measure cup and level off)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons margarine, at room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup (packed) light brown sugar
substitute for 1 large egg
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups rolled oats (not instant)
1/2 cup dark raisins (or dried cranberries)

2 baking sheets lined with parchment paper, foil, or silicone mats

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and set the rack on the lower and upper thirds of the oven.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

3. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and granulated sugar until smooth. Mix in the brown sugar, then the egg, applesauce, and vanilla.

4. Stir in the dry ingredients, then the oats and raisins.

5. Drop the batter by rounded tablespoons 2-inches apart on the baking sheets and use a fork to gently flatten the dough.

6. Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they "look dull on the surface but are moist and soft". Rotate baking sheets during baking for even heating.

Don't bake them until they look golden brown. Really! Resist temptation!! Take them out of the oven as soon as they look slightly blond and are no long wet on the top. Otherwise you'll have crunchy oatmeal cookies. Blech.

Storage: Once cool, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.

42 comments:

trina said...

Yay!

Tami said...

I'm going to try those! I'm glad you blogged today.

sulu-design said...

Leap year, 100th post, and chewy oatmeal cookies? It doesn't get much better than this in blogland! I'm glad you posted today, too.

David said...

So glad you liked those cookies too. Reminds me I need to make another batch soon : )

Anonymous said...

Happy 100th post! Your photos look lovely, as always--the cookies look great!

Courtney

Alison Nicole said...

yuuuuuuuummmmmm!!! i love Oatmeal anything cookies, and these look especially delicious! I want one right now! Congrats on your 100th post!

julie hasson said...

Thanks for posting the recipe! I'm going to bake up a batch right now.

By the way, did you whip the flax with water, or just add a tbsp ground flax to the dry ingredients?

This is how I'm spending my Friday night! Can't get much better than oatmeal cookies.

Connie said...

oatmeal cookies are my favorite! how did you know ;)

Anonymous said...

Would steel cut oats work instead of rolled oats? I've got alot of the steel cut and am trying to get rid of them!!!

urban vegan said...

I love chewy cookies. I always wished my b'day was on 2.29. If it was I'd only be about 11.

Jessy and her dog Winnie said...

Nice pictures! Those cookies look delicious!

Coppe said...

I made some Oatmeal Raisin biscuits too the other day, but, I have to admit, yours look better!

I'm envious. Oh, and congratulations on your 100th post!

MeloMeals said...

That recipe looks awesome!

Anonymous said...

ooh these look great! do you think using banana in place of the egg would work?

vko said...

Happy 100th post!

Those cookies look divine...

The Peanut Butter Boy said...

Oatmeal raisin cookies are some of the best cookies out there. These look incredible and they are so healthy too! I would probably substitute canola oil for the margarine and try it with a whole wheat pastry flour perhaps.

Whenever I need to whip up a batch of oatmeal cookies, I usually look at the inside lid of the Quaker Oats container. Those are good, but these look much better and healthier, a real treat. Thanks!

- The Peanut Butter Boy

Veggie said...

If these cookies taste as amazing as they look then I'll have to give these a try very soon.

Anonymous,
"Would steel cut oats work instead of rolled oats? I've got alot of the steel cut and am trying to get rid of them!!!"

Do NOT use steel cuts oats instead, unless they are pre-cooked (as in porridge). They will not work in cookies.

bazu said...

Thank you so much for blogging these. I often crave oatmeal cookies and yours seem perfect.

Ivan said...

You have a great blog, and the recipes you post are amazing. I just tried these out and they turned out perfectly. Thanks!

Sarah R said...

Hey! Thanks for directing me on over here... I'm so trying these!

Tami said...

It's me again. I've made these several times and they are wonderful!

Thank you for the recipe.

I Am Gluten Free said...

What did you sub for the egg? I'd love to know the exact ingredient(s). Thanks so much! Pics look great!

Anonymous said...

must try must try! oatmeal raisins are my FAVE cookie.

congrats on your 100th post too! it's funny how fast it happens huh?

xoxo

Anonymous said...

I always botch them. These are the best ever. Did not have apple sauce. Substituted grated fresh Gala. Used olive oil instead of marge as well. Added
1/4 cup ground wallnuts. They taste chewy and banana-y. Thanks.
Ziki

Anonymous said...

These cookies are amazing! Being a new vegan I was skeptical but they really did come out better than regular cookies!

I made a few changes.

I used Ener_G egg replacer instead of flax. I substituted canned pumpkin for the applesauce, added carob chips (they taste exactly like chocolate chips), a pinch of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg and a handful of raisins. I used a splash of soy milk for moisture.

These were flying off my desk at work. Great base recipe. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Just made these cookies using the boiled flax egg replacer (1 T whole flax seed + 1/3 c h2o, boiled till gooey), subsituted chocolate chips for raisins and added some chopped walnuts. These are the best oatmeal cookies I've ever made! Definitely chewy! Yum!

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Anonymous said...

THESE REALLY ARE MY FAVORITE COOKIES! THANKS FOR POSTING!!! <3

charlotte personal injury lawyer said...

I was about to comment and say the softest cookies I'd ever eaten had applesauce. But I saw shortly that this one had applesauce in it and was thrilled. Great recipe, the cookies look delicious.

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Thanks a lot for sharing.

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viagra online said...

i love Oatmeal anything cookies, and these look especially delicious! I want one right now!

Jenny said...

I make these all the time :) Except since going vegan I've lost my super sweet tooth so I cut the sugar by half and also add cinnamon and 1tbs golden syrup to give the cookies more depth (Aussie thing)....they are still really sweet but not so bad for you :)

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Noelle Dineen said...

Thanks for sharing this with us! I'll try this out and share it with the kids. I always try to convince them to eat clean and healthy foods, so that they'll grow up to be very healthy people. I'm on this healthy diet called the "Eat clean" diet. Foods allowed in this diet can fill you up but won't make you fatter, but instead make you even slimmer with the help of exercise, of course.

Jess said...

i just made these with chopped up dried apricots in place of raisins and they are fabulous!

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Viagra said...

Those cookies look amazing. Thank you for sharing this recipe!

charla said...

So I have seen your blog for the first time and I must say that I'm impressed with this recipe. I absolutely love oatmeal raisin cookies and they are my favorite I must admit. Unfortunately I cant seem to find a good cookie without it being too dry or too sweet. Looking forward to trying this recipe out. Thanks for the post

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