Deliciously Soft & Chewy Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies: Your New Favorite Recipe!
There’s something incredibly comforting about a homemade cookie, and these **Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies** are no exception. They are wonderfully soft, delightfully chewy, and infused with the heartwarming flavors of oat flour and ground cinnamon. This isn’t just another cookie recipe; it’s quickly become my new favorite **oatmeal cookie recipe** for its unique texture and irresistible taste!
I have a deep affection for classic oatmeal cookies, and I’m equally smitten with the spiced perfection of snickerdoodles. This recipe cleverly bridges the gap between the two, offering a delicious hybrid that truly satisfies. It’s a little bit sneaky, as the key to its incredible texture lies in grinding the rolled oats before incorporating them into the dough, creating a subtle “oat flour” effect. The best part? It’s significantly less effort than traditional snickerdoodles, because there’s no need for the extra step of rolling the dough in cinnamon sugar – all that wonderful cinnamon flavor is mixed right into the batter!
Key Ingredients for Perfect Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies
Crafting these delectable cookies begins with a carefully selected list of ingredients that work in harmony to create their signature soft, chewy texture and spiced flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
- 4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup butter, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup butter-flavored shortening
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
Each ingredient plays a vital role. The rolled oats, once finely ground, contribute to a unique oat flour consistency that makes these cookies incredibly tender. The combination of all-purpose and whole wheat flours provides a balanced structure with a hint of nutty flavor. A generous amount of ground cinnamon ensures that every bite is filled with warm, aromatic spice. The blend of butter and shortening is crucial for achieving that perfect soft, chewy texture, while cream of tartar, often found in snickerdoodles, adds a subtle tangy note and helps activate the baking soda for a light, airy crumb. These simple, wholesome ingredients come together to create a truly unforgettable cookie experience.
How to Make Easy Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies
Follow these simple steps to bake a batch of the best cinnamon oatmeal cookies your family will love:
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Prepare your baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper or silicone mats. This crucial step ensures even baking and prevents sticking, making cleanup a breeze.
In a food processor or a high-speed blender, process the rolled oats until they are finely ground, resembling a coarse flour. This transformation is key to the unique texture of these cookies, making them soft rather than chunky. In a large mixing bowl, combine the freshly ground oats, all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, the four teaspoons of ground cinnamon, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Whisk these dry ingredients together thoroughly to ensure even distribution of flavor and leavening agents, then set this mixture aside.
In a separate large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter and butter-flavored shortening together for approximately 2 minutes. This creaming process incorporates air, essential for light and tender cookies. Next, gradually add the granulated sugar and continue beating for another minute until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract. Continue to beat the wet ingredients for an additional 2-3 minutes, ensuring they are fully combined and airy.
Carefully add the reserved dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Mix on low speed just until the ingredients are combined and a cohesive dough forms. Be cautious not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies. Using a cookie scoop (a 1.5 to 2 tablespoon size works perfectly for uniform cookies), scoop out portions of the dough and place them onto your prepared cookie sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake in your preheated oven for 8-9 minutes. The cookies should have slightly set edges but still appear soft in the center. Resist the urge to overbake! Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a couple of minutes to firm up before gently transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling period on the warm sheet helps them finish baking without drying out, ensuring maximum softness and chewiness.
Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies
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Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
- 4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup butter softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup butter-flavored shortening
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to ensure non-stick baking.
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In a food processor or blender, process the rolled oats until they are finely ground, resembling a coarse flour. In a large bowl, combine the ground oats, all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, ground cinnamon, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Whisk well and set aside.
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In another large bowl, beat the softened butter and butter-flavored shortening together with an electric mixer for about 2 minutes until creamy. Add the sugar and beat for another minute until light and fluffy. Incorporate the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract, beating for 2-3 more minutes until well combined.
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Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet butter mixture, mixing on low speed just until combined. Be careful not to overmix. Use a cookie scoop to portion the dough and place balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheets. Bake for 8-9 minutes. The cookies should look slightly underbaked in the center. Cool for 2-3 minutes on the cookie sheets before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Insider Tips for Making the Absolute Best Oatmeal Cookies
After countless batches and years of experimenting, I’ve gathered some essential wisdom for baking oatmeal cookies that are consistently perfect. These tried-and-true tips will elevate your cookie game and ensure a delicious outcome every time:
- Dough Consistency is Key: Ensure that your dough has the right amount of flour. If the dough feels overly sticky after mixing all the ingredients, you may need to add a little bit more all-purpose flour, a tablespoon at a time, until it’s pliable but not tacky. A balanced dough will bake evenly and hold its shape.
- Creaming Butter and Sugars: This isn’t just a mixing step; it’s the foundation for texture. Dedicate a good 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer to thoroughly cream the butter and sugars together. This process incorporates air into the mixture, resulting in a lighter, chewier cookie with a superior crumb. Don’t rush this vital step!
- Always Preheat Your Oven: For consistent and even baking, always preheat your oven to the specified temperature. Placing cookies into a cold or insufficiently heated oven can lead to excessive spreading, uneven cooking, or even burnt edges before the center is done. An accurately preheated oven ensures your cookies turn out perfectly every time.
- Invest in a Cookie Scoop: If you desire beautifully uniform cookies that bake evenly, a cookie scoop is an absolute game-changer. It guarantees that each cookie is the same size and shape, leading to a professional-looking batch where every cookie is cooked to perfection.
- Use Parchment Paper or Silicone Mats: Say goodbye to sticking and uneven browning! Lining your baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat provides a non-stick surface, allowing the cookies to slide off effortlessly once baked. This also helps with more consistent heat distribution for perfectly golden bottoms.
- Do Not Overbake: This is arguably the most crucial tip for achieving soft, chewy cookies. When I remove my cookies from the oven, they still look slightly underbaked in the very center. This is perfectly fine! They will continue to bake on the hot cookie sheet for a couple more minutes, firming up to that ideal soft and chewy texture. Overbaking is the quickest route to dry, crumbly cookies.
- Cool Completely Before Storing: For optimal texture and freshness, allow your cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before storing them in an airtight container. Storing warm cookies can create condensation, leading to a mushy texture. Patience truly is a virtue for the perfect cookie experience!
How to Soften Butter to Room Temperature Perfectly
Many cookie recipes, including this one, call for softened butter, and getting it to the right consistency is more important than you might think. Properly softened butter (about 68-70°F or 20-21°C) incorporates air better with sugar, leading to a lighter, more tender cookie. It should be pliable enough to leave an indent when pressed gently, but not greasy or melted.
The best and most foolproof way to soften butter is simply to plan ahead. Take your butter out of the refrigerator 1-2 hours before you intend to start baking. This allows it to come to a uniform room temperature naturally without any risk of melting.
However, let’s be honest, most of us (or perhaps just me!) aren’t always that prepared or don’t think that far in advance. So, for those spontaneous baking moments, there are a few clever tricks to soften butter perfectly in just a matter of minutes:
My favorite quick method is using the microwave. It’s incredibly fast, but it does require a delicate touch to avoid melting the butter. Place a whole stick of butter (ensure it’s unwrapped from any foil!) in the microwave. Start by microwaving it for about 6-7 seconds on a low to medium power setting. After the initial burst, check the butter’s softness. If it’s still quite cold, try another 5-7 seconds. You may need a few very short intervals, and as the butter starts to feel softer, shorten the subsequent intervals to just 2-3 seconds to prevent any melting. The goal is pliable, not liquid.
Alternatively, I’ve found great success with the defrost setting on my microwave. While I don’t know the exact scientific difference in how it operates, it seems to soften the butter more gently and evenly. It takes a little bit longer, usually closer to 30 seconds to a minute depending on your microwave’s power, but it significantly reduces the risk of accidental melting, making it an excellent option when you’re in a hurry.
Another reliable trick is to cut the cold butter into small, 1-inch cubes. Spreading these cubes out on a plate will increase their surface area, allowing them to come to room temperature much faster – usually within 15-30 minutes. You can also place the wrapped stick of butter in a bowl of warm (not hot!) water for 5-10 minutes, making sure no water seeps into the wrapper.
Why Do My Oatmeal Cookies Burn on the Bottom But Aren’t Done in the Middle?
This is a common and frustrating baking dilemma, but often easily fixed! If you consistently find your homemade oatmeal cookies burning on the bottom while remaining undercooked in the middle, the culprit is likely your cookie sheets.
The Type of Baking Sheet Matters: Dark-colored cookie sheets absorb and retain heat more intensely than lighter ones. This often causes the bottoms of your baked goods to brown (or burn) much faster than the rest of the cookie can cook through. Switching to lighter-colored, reflective aluminum baking sheets can make a dramatic difference, promoting more even heat distribution and preventing those scorched bottoms.
Beware of Too Much Cooking Spray: While cooking spray can be useful, excessive application creates a greasy layer that heats up rapidly. This hot oil can cause the bottom of your cookies to burn quickly. If you’re using good quality, lighter-colored non-stick pans, you often don’t need cooking spray at all, especially when combined with the next tip.
Embrace Silicone Baking Mats: Over the last couple of years, I’ve completely converted to using silicone baking mats, and they are truly a game-changer. They provide an excellent non-stick surface, which means cookies slide off effortlessly – no scraping ever! More importantly, they create a protective barrier that helps regulate the heat transferred to the cookie bottoms, ensuring perfectly golden results every single time without burning. They are durable, reusable, and will revolutionize your cookie baking experience.
Other Delicious Oatmeal Cookie Recipes We Love!
If you’re as passionate about oatmeal cookies as we are, you’ll want to explore these other fantastic recipes from our collection:
- Fudgy Oatmeal Cookie Bars
- Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies
- White Chocolate Cherry Oatmeal Cookies
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
- Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
- Microwave Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Toffee Oatmeal Cookies
- Blackberry Oatmeal Cookies
- Best Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Best Monster Cookies
These homemade **Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies** are more than just a sweet treat; they’re a warm hug in cookie form. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion, a cozy night in, or simply to fill your home with an irresistible aroma, this recipe delivers perfectly soft, chewy, and spiced goodness every single time. Enjoy the process, and savor every delicious bite!
Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to take my two oldest daughters to a local production of Les Misérables. As one of my absolute favorite musicals – a show I’ve been fortunate enough to see multiple times – sharing this experience with them was truly special. The particular production we attended was exceptionally well-done, from the powerful vocals to the moving staging. We were all completely captivated and had a fantastic time together, creating cherished memories. It feels wonderful to be able to enjoy live performances and other engaging activities again, especially after a year where so many of these enriching experiences were paused. There’s a profound joy in these shared moments, much like the simple, comforting joy found in baking a batch of warm, homemade cookies. Just as a good musical can transport you, a delicious cookie can evoke feelings of happiness and togetherness.
