Chewy and hearty with a hint of sweetness in every juicy raisin, these Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies are impossible to stop eating.
When my husband wanted a classic cookie, he pulled this old-fashioned oatmeal raisin cookie recipe from our family archive. It’s one of my grandmother’s favorite vintage treats and a recipe we continue to bake and cherish.
If you enjoy these, try other long-standing favorites such as Applesauce Raisin Cookies, Cookies with Oat Bran, and Cottage Cheese Cookies — family-style recipes that have stood the test of time.
Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe
Serve these cookies with a cold glass of milk. The thick, hearty oat flavor combined with plump raisins makes them satisfying enough to feel like a little meal.
We love antique recipes like Old-Fashion Cream Pie and Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp that have been passed down for decades. This simple oatmeal cookie is a heritage recipe from our family and a reliable classic.
The original card in our collection listed only ingredients with no baking time or temperature. We tested the recipe and settled on the method below to recreate the texture and flavor our family remembers.
The coarse texture of rolled oats blends beautifully with juicy raisins. If you like extra crunch, add chopped nuts — up to a cup — for a more rustic old-fashioned cookie.
Ingredients Needed
- Rolled oats (old-fashioned oats)
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Shortening (traditional shortening works; butter-flavored shortening is an option)
- Eggs
- Milk
- Baking soda
- Cinnamon
- Seedless raisins
- Chopped nuts (optional — 1/2 to 1 cup)
A Vintage Cookie Recipe
Modern kitchen tools make baking easier. For example, a cookie scoop speeds up portioning and ensures uniform cookies so each baking sheet finishes at the same time.
We’ve noticed the same trend on the farm: newer equipment saves time and reduces back-breaking labor. Still, family recipes and the memories that come with them remain a meaningful connection to the past.
We hope you enjoy this and other cookie recipes shared here.
How to Make Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream together the granulated sugar and shortening. Add the eggs and mix thoroughly.
- Stir in the milk and mix until incorporated.
- Whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and cinnamon.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the creamed mixture and mix until combined.
- Fold in the raisins and rolled oats (and nuts if using).
- Drop by teaspoonfuls or use a cookie scoop onto a greased or lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 8–12 minutes, until edges are lightly golden. Allow to cool on a rack.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Use rolled (old-fashioned) oats rather than quick oats for a fuller, chewier texture.
- Raisins and chopped nuts are what give this cookie its traditional flavor — omit nuts if preferred for a softer bite.
- For perfectly round cookies, press an upside-down glass gently against each cookie right after removing them from the oven and rotate to smooth the edges.
More Delicious Cookie Recipes
- Almond Bark Cookies
- Pay Day Crunch
- Best Chocolate Chip Cookies (Farmhouse Style)
- Butterscotch Refrigerator Cookies
- Peanut Butter Paw Print Cookies (guest recipe)
Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup shortening or butter
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup raisins seedless
- 1 2/3 cup rolled oats
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Cream sugar and shortening together. Add eggs and mix well. Stir in milk.
-
Whisk together flour, baking soda, and cinnamon. Gradually add the dry mixture to the creamed mixture and mix until combined. Fold in raisins and oats (and nuts, if using).
-
Drop by teaspoon or use a cookie scoop onto a greased or lined baking sheet. Bake 8–12 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Cool on a rack.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate and can vary depending on specific ingredients used. For precise values, use an online nutrition calculator with your chosen products.
Recipe originally shared on October 8, 2018; updated September 1, 2024.