The Best Simple Oatmeal Cookie Recipe

The Best Simple Oatmeal Cookie Recipe that turns out every time, no raisins, no chocolate, just simple butter and oatmeal cookies that you can add (or not add) what you like!

Long live all the staple recipes that you make over and over again!  I first published this recipe in 2013 and have decided it was time to update it and share it again because it’s one that I make often. It’s a classic oatmeal cookie with nothing else in it. I love that because if we want a simple plain cookie, it’s an easy go-to. If we want to mix something in, this is a great base recipe to add all kinds of things.

No matter what you do or do not add, this is a great solid oatmeal cookie recipe that turns out every time. These were on Husband’s favorite cookie list this year. He loves how simple and sweet they are without being over the top. And that texture is just perfect – soft and chewy with just a little bit of a crisp on the outside. Perfection I tell you, perfection.

Tips and Tricks for Making This Simple Oatmeal Cookie Recipe:

• These cookies are just begging for you to add your own touches. Add between 1 and 1 1/2 cups (total) of just about anything you’d like. Try adding chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, nuts, cinnamon, cinnamon chips, chopped candy bars, M&M’s, or raisins. You could also put a layer of icing, ice cream, or peanut butter in between two baked and cooled cookies to make a sandwich cookie. The possibilities are endless!
• Old fashioned oats are great in this recipe because they help to make them chewy and give them that classic oatmeal texture. You can use quick cooking or instant oats (they are the same thing as old fashioned, just cut into smaller pieces), though it’ll change the texture a bit. I recommend the old fashioned oats.
• If you like a simple spiced oatmeal cookie, try adding 2 teaspoons of cinnamon and a 1/4 teaspoon of cloves and nutmeg. So good while keeping them simple.
• I always bake these on parchment paper or baking mats. Do you have baking mats yet? Such a great investment.

Can you freeze oatmeal cookies or oatmeal cookie dough?

• Yes! You can can freeze baked cookies by making the batter, baking the cookies, letting them cool completely, and then storing them in an air-tight container. They’ll be good in the freezer for up to two months. Just pull the cookies out about an hour before serving so that they have time to come to room temperature.
• To freeze the oatmeal cookie dough, make the dough into balls and then let them freeze for a few hours on the cookie tray (or in a dish so that they aren’t touching much). After the cookie dough balls have frozen through, add them to an air-tight container or a freezer zipper-top baggie. When you are ready to bake the dough, simply preheat your oven, place the frozen cookie dough balls on a baking sheet like you would fresh dough, and bake, adding 2-4 minutes to the suggested cook time, as needed. No need to thaw ahead of time.

The Best Simple Oatmeal Cookie Recipe

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★★★★★

4.3 from 6 reviews

• Author: Melissa Griffiths - Bless this Mess
• Prep Time: 10 min
• Cook Time: 14 min
• Total Time: 24 minutes
• Yield: 36 cookies
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Oven
• Cuisine: American

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Description

The Best Simple Oatmeal Cookie that turns out every time, no raisins, no chocolate, just simple cookies that you can add (or not) what you like!

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Ingredients

• 3/4 cup butter (1 1/2 sticks), at room temperature
• 1 and 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 and 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/4 cups old fashioned oats

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees and line your baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Add the butter and the brown sugar to the bowl of your stand mixer and beat on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, around 5 minutes.
3. Add the egg and vanilla and beat for another minute.
4. Add the flour, sprinkle in the baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix until combined. Add the oats and combine.
5. Fold in the dried cherries, chocolate, chopped pecans, or other mix-ins if desired.
6. The mixture will be a little tacky, but you should be able to roll it into a ball in your hands without making a total mess. If it is too sticky, add 1 tablespoon of flour at a time until the mixture can be handled.
7. Roll the dough into 1 to 1.5 inch balls (about 1 large tablespoon of dough), using your hands and place the balls on the prepared cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 14 minutes until the edges begin to brown and the centers are set.
8. Transfer to a wire rack and let them cool completely.

Notes

• These cookies are just begging for you to add your own touches. Add between 1 and 1 1/2 cups (total) of just about anything you’d like. Try adding chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, nuts, cinnamon, cinnamon chips, chopped candy bars, M&M’s, or raisins. You could also put a layer of icing, ice cream, or peanut butter in between two baked and cooled cookies to make a sandwich cookie. The possibilities are endless!

Keywords: easy oatmeal cookie recipe, best oatmeal cookie recipe

Love this oatmeal cookies recipe? You might also like these recipes:

• Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Zucchini Cookies
• The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Ever
• 8 No-Bake Oatmeal Energy Balls
• Healthy Banana Oatmeal Cookies with Chocolate Chips from Erin at Well Plated

This is a recipe that we love to make and share often. I’m so happy to have it updated and shared with you because you are going to love it. Enjoy from my kitchen to yours.

This post was originally published in April 2013 and has been updated, rephotographed, and improved with reader feedback.