Brown Butter Oatmeal Raisin Cookies are a thing of true beauty and a classic, comforting cookie if there ever was one. They're buttery, tender and perfectly chewy with plenty of raisins and candied-walnuts. They're a true classic made even better. These fantastic oatmeal raisin cookies are easy to make and even easier to enjoy.
Grab a glass of cold milk and let's get started!
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My philosophy on cookies is kind of like my philosophy on salads. I don't want either to be lacking in flavor, texture, or heft. I want them full of stuff. These brown butter oatmeal raisin cookies are just that. The dough is soft and chewy and buttery, but they are so full of raisins and candied-walnuts that its almost impossible to have just one.
I'll also tell you a secret. I've never been a fan of the oatmeal raisin cookie. That is, until I made these. They're that good. My husband was also in the same boat until I developed this recipe for my best friend. I made them, we tried them, and I had to rebake another batch for my friend because they disappeared!
Make these awesome, awesome oatmeal raisin cookies to keep around for a sweet treat, for your next get-together with friends, or as a lovely, simple breakfast with a piping hot cup of coffee.
ingredients
- Walnuts
- Maple Syrup
- Butter
- Flaky Sea Salt
- Eggs
- Brown Sugar
- AP Flour
- Old Fashioned Oats
- Baking Soda
- Ground Cinnamon
- Raisins
- Turbinado Sugar
how to make brown butter oatmeal raisin cookies
Candied Maple Walnuts
I cannot put into words how good this part of the recipe is. Do not skip this step. And, I always make a little extra candied walnuts for ice cream toppings, too.
To start, add the walnuts and maple syrup to a skillet over medium heat. Stir often, until the walnuts become nice and toasty and the maple syrup begins to thicken. This takes me about 5 minutes or so.
Pour the candied walnuts onto a plate or cutting board and sprinkle with a generous cascade of flaky sea salt. Set these aside and let them cool while we move to the next step.
How To Make Brown Butter
Brown butter oatmeal raisin cookies need brown butter. My love affair with brown butter goes back many years at this point. The simple step absolutely transforms the flavor of the cookies.
To brown the butter, cook the sticks of butter in a heavy-bottom skillet or pot on medium heat. Do not walk away from this step. Stir often until the butter begins to brown. You will see it start to foam and, then, when the foam begins to dissipate, the brown bits should start to become visible.
The brown butter also has a distinctive smell that should be made into a candle. It's rich and nutty. You'll definitely be able to tell.
Once the butter is browned, remove from heat and let cool for about 5 minutes.
The Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Dough
Guys, this dough is the stuff dreams are made of. Brown butter oatmeal raisin dough is nutty and tender and lovely and alllll the things. As far as how to do it, its very basic. Cream the brown butter and sugar together. Mix in the eggs and vanilla. Add the flour and baking soda until just mix, and, then, just fold in the chips and candied walnuts. That's it!
I use a tablespoon scoop to help keep everything the same size for baking. Using the scoop, deposit the chocolate chip cookie dough onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350° oven for 10 minutes. Remove and let the cookies cool for about 5 minutes before you move them to a cooling rack.
Attempt not to eat them all at once. They're so good. I like mine with a cup of hot coffee, the kids love theirs with a glass of cold milk, and my husband just devours them any way he can.
recipe frequently asked questions
How do you store oatmeal raisin cookies?
I store our cookies in an airtight container in the fridge to keep them fresher for longer.
Can you freeze oatmeal raisin cookies?
Yes! Absolutely! I usually make extra and keep those in the freezer for a rainy day. They thaw out wonderfully and will stay good up to 3 months. If they last that long!
I don't like raisins. What other add-ins could I use?
I know a ton of people that aren't wild about a raisin. You can easily substitute something like a dried cranberry. However, if its the dried fruit that is the issue, throw in your favorite chocolate chip!
kitchen essentials
If you guys make this Brown Butter Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I absolutely love to hear from you all and always do my best to respond to each and every one of your comments!
Brown Butter Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups walnuts, chopped
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 cup butter, softened
- flaky sea salt
- 1½ cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 1½ cups AP flour
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 cups raisins
- turbinado sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Add the walnuts and maple syrup to a skillet over medium heat. Stir often, until the walnuts become nice and toasty and the maple syrup begins to thicken. This takes me about 5 minutes or so.
- Pour the candied walnuts onto a cutting board and sprinkle with a generous cascade of flaky sea salt. Set these aside and let them cool.
- To brown the butter, cook the sticks of butter in a pot on medium heat. Do not walk away from this step. Stir often until the butter begins to brown. You will see it start to foam and, then, when the foam begins to dissipate, the brown bits should start to become visible. The brown butter also has a distinctive smell. It's rich and nutty. You'll definitely be able to tell.
- Once the butter is browned, remove from heat and let cool for about 5 minutes.
- Cream the cooled brown butter and sugar together. Mix in the eggs and vanilla.
- Add the flour, oats, cinnamon, and baking soda, stirring until just combined.
- Fold in the candied walnuts and raisins. You will need a little elbow grease here to ensure that all the walnuts and raisin are evenly distributed.
- Using a tablespoon scoop, portion dough balls onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet about 2-3 inches apart.
- Before you put the dough balls into the oven, give them a little tap on the top. Just to flatten them out slightly. Sprinkle the tops with a little turbinado sugar.
- Transfer to oven and bake for 10 minutes. The edges will be ever so slightly golden and the top slightly doughy. Remove from heat and allow to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
Thank you!
I am so incredibly happy that you are here! I hope you try my Brown Butter Oatmeal Raisin Cookies recipe and fall in love with it. If you make this recipe, please share and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok! I absolutely love seeing each and every one of your kitchen masterpieces! And, as always, if you ever have any questions about any of my recipes, please don't hesitate to contact me!
Happy Cooking!
-Rufus
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Rufus for Real is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Chindee P says
I don’t even like oatmeal cookies. I made these for my best friend. These are amazing. Had to get them out of my house so I didn’t eat them all! Verrrryyyy good!
Rufus says
Haha! I made this developed this recipe for my best friend! My husband and I both didn't think we were big fans of oatmeal raisin either and fell in love with these!