Description: These Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies are the perfect blend of chewy, soft, and packed with rich flavor. Combining the wholesome goodness of rolled oats with the irresistible sweetness of chocolate chips, these cookies are a comforting treat that’s easy to make and even easier to devour. They are the ultimate homemade delight, perfect for any occasion!
Ingredients:
1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, softened at room temperature 1 ¼ cups packed light brown sugar ½ cup granulated sugar 2 large eggs, at room temperature 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract 1 tablespoon milk 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt 2 cups chocolate chips
Preparation:
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, cream together the softened butter, packed light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This process usually takes about 3-5 minutes. Ensuring the butter is properly creamed with the sugars is crucial for the cookies’ texture, making them soft and airy. Don’t rush this step!
Step 2: Incorporate the Eggs and Liquids: Add the eggs one at a time to the creamed butter and sugar mixture, mixing well after each addition. Make sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. This prevents the mixture from curdling. Next, mix in the vanilla extract and milk until everything is well combined. The vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor profile, while the milk adds a touch of moisture.
Step 3: Add the Oats: Gradually add the old-fashioned rolled oats to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until the oats are evenly distributed throughout the batter. Be careful not to overmix at this stage. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour later on, potentially making the cookies tough.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until well combined. Whisking ensures that the baking soda and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour, leading to a uniform rise and flavor in the cookies.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the oat mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be cautious not to overmix; a few streaks of flour are perfectly fine at this stage. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in tougher cookies. Once the flour is almost fully incorporated, stir in the chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Step 6: Chill the Dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the dough to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours, or up to 2 days. Chilling the dough is essential for preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking. It also allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in a more complex and delicious cookie. If the dough becomes too firm to scoop after chilling, let it sit at room temperature for a short while until it softens slightly.
Step 7: Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Parchment paper or silicone mats prevent the cookies from sticking to the baking sheets, making cleanup easier. They also help ensure even baking.
Step 8: Scoop and Bake: Using a 4-teaspoon spring-loaded scoop or a spoon, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, placing them about 2 inches apart. This spacing allows the cookies to spread slightly without running into each other.
Step 9: Bake: Bake the cookies for approximately 10-12 minutes, or until they are lightly browned around the edges but still soft in the center. The key to maintaining those decadent, soft centers is not overbaking. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheets.
Step 10: Cool and Enjoy: Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the pans for 5 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. This allows the cookies to firm up slightly before handling, preventing them from breaking. Once cooled, enjoy the warm, comforting goodness of your homemade Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies!
Why You Will Love This Recipe:
This Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe is a winner because it perfectly balances textures and flavors. The chewy oats and soft, buttery dough create a delightful contrast, while the rich chocolate chips provide bursts of sweetness in every bite. The combination of brown sugar and granulated sugar adds depth to the flavor, and the chilling step ensures the cookies don’t spread too thin, giving you thick, satisfying cookies every time. Plus, this recipe is straightforward and reliable, making it a fantastic choice for both novice and experienced bakers. These cookies evoke a sense of nostalgia and homemade goodness that will make them an instant family favorite.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve these Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies warm with a tall glass of cold milk. Enjoy them as a sweet treat with a cup of coffee or tea. Pack them in lunchboxes for a delightful midday snack. Crumble them over vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent dessert. Give them as gifts to friends and family for a thoughtful homemade present.
Tips:
Use room temperature butter and eggs to ensure the ingredients blend together smoothly and evenly. Chill the dough for at least 1-2 hours to prevent the cookies from spreading too thin and to enhance their flavor. Don’t overbake the cookies; they should be slightly soft in the center when you remove them from the oven. If the dough is too firm to scoop after chilling, let it sit at room temperature for a short period until it softens slightly. Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their freshness.
Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 10-12 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (includes chilling time)
Nutritional Information: (per cookie)
Calories: 132kcal Protein: 2g Sodium: 87mg
Conclusion:
These Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies are more than just a sweet treat; they’re a comforting reminder of home-baked goodness. With their delightful blend of chewy oats, soft dough, and rich chocolate chips, they’re sure to become a favorite in your household. Easy to make and even easier to enjoy, this recipe is perfect for any occasion, whether you’re baking for yourself, your family, or friends. So go ahead, preheat your oven and get ready to experience the joy of homemade Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies!
Questions and Answers:
Question 1: Can I use quick oats instead of old-fashioned rolled oats? Answer: While you can substitute quick oats for old-fashioned rolled oats, the texture of the cookies will be slightly different. Quick oats will result in a softer, less chewy cookie. If you do use quick oats, you might want to reduce the amount slightly, as they tend to absorb more moisture.
Question 2: What can I do if my cookie dough is too sticky to handle? Answer: If your cookie dough is too sticky, it likely means it hasn’t been chilled long enough. Place the dough back in the refrigerator for another 30 minutes to an hour. Chilling helps the butter solidify, making the dough easier to handle and scoop. Alternatively, you can lightly flour your hands before scooping the dough.
Question 3: Can I add nuts or other mix-ins to this recipe? Answer: Absolutely! This recipe is very versatile. You can add about 1 cup of chopped nuts (such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds), dried cranberries, raisins, or even peanut butter chips to the dough. Just make sure to adjust the amount of chocolate chips if you’re adding a significant amount of other mix-ins to maintain the balance of flavors.
Question 4: How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too thin while baking? Answer: The most important step to prevent spreading is to chill the dough thoroughly before baking. Also, make sure your oven is at the correct temperature, and avoid using overly softened butter when creaming it with the sugars. If your cookies still spread too much, try adding a tablespoon or two of extra flour to the dough.
Question 5: How long will these cookies stay fresh? Answer: When stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies will stay fresh for about 3-5 days. To keep them soft, you can also place a slice of bread in the container. The bread will absorb any excess moisture, keeping the cookies nice and chewy.
