The Ultimate Guide to Baking Soft & Chewy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
There’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of freshly baked cookies filling your home. And when it comes to classic comfort, Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies are a timeless favorite, beloved by families everywhere. This incredible homemade cookie recipe yields the most wonderfully soft and delightfully chewy cookies, marrying the rustic charm of oats with the indulgent sweetness of chocolate chips. Get ready to discover your new go-to recipe for the perfect oatmeal cookie!
Our family, much like many others, has an undeniable love for chocolate chip cookies in every imaginable form. When we introduced wholesome oats into our beloved chocolate chip cookie recipe, the results were an instant hit! The combination of rich chocolate and hearty oats creates a synergy that’s truly irresistible. While I certainly appreciate the classic appeal of Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, there’s simply no denying the universal appeal of chocolate. But here’s a secret ingredient you absolutely shouldn’t skip: instant pudding mix. This magical addition is the key to achieving that wonderfully soft, incredibly chewy texture and infuses the cookies with an extra layer of delightful flavor.
Baking the Best Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies: A Step-by-Step Guide
Crafting these delectable homemade Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies is a surprisingly straightforward process. Even beginner bakers can achieve perfect results with a little care and attention. Let’s walk through the steps to create these family-favorite treats.
First things first, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). While the oven heats up, it’s time to gather your ingredients and prepare for mixing.
I rely on my trusty KitchenAid mixer to cream together the essential wet ingredients. Begin by combining the softened butter, butter-flavored shortening, packed light brown sugar, white sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Beat these ingredients until the mixture is light, fluffy, and perfectly smooth. This creaming step is vital for incorporating air, which contributes to the cookies’ light texture. Once creamy, add in the instant vanilla pudding mix and stir again until it’s fully incorporated. The pudding mix not only adds flavor but also helps to keep the cookies incredibly moist.
In a separate bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients: the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to your creamed sugar mixture, stirring just until everything is combined. Be careful not to overmix at this stage; overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to tougher cookies.
Finally, stir in the rolled oats and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Mix just until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. Again, avoid overmixing to ensure the best texture for your oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.
Once your dough is ready, drop rounded teaspoonfuls onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper. This parchment paper is a game-changer for preventing sticking and ensuring easy cleanup. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are light golden brown and the centers still look slightly soft. Remember, do not overbake! Overbaking is the quickest way to turn a soft and chewy cookie into a hard, crumbly one.
Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes. This crucial step allows them to set up without breaking. Afterward, transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Though, let’s be honest, there’s nothing quite like indulging in warm, fresh homemade chocolate chip oatmeal cookies right out of the oven!
Essential Kitchen Tools for the Best Homemade Oatmeal Cookies
Having the right tools can make all the difference in your baking experience, transforming it from a chore into a joy. Here are a few kitchen essentials that will help you achieve consistently perfect oatmeal chocolate chip cookies every time.
The first item on my list is a high-quality KitchenAid mixer. I absolutely adore mine! While I also own a Bosch mixer, I find myself reaching for my KitchenAid specifically for cookie recipes. Every KitchenAid mixer typically comes with a cookie paddle attachment, which is perfect for thoroughly mixing ingredients without overworking the dough. It ensures uniformity and efficiency, making the creaming process effortless.
Secondly, a cookie scoop is an absolute must-have! For years, I struggled with using two spoons to portion out cookie dough, often resulting in misshapen, oblong cookies of varying sizes. Then, a friend introduced me to the magic of a cookie scoop after I noticed her cookies were always perfectly uniform. Her secret? A simple cookie scoop! These handy tools come in various sizes – typically 1/2 tablespoon, 1.5 tablespoon, and 3 tablespoon scoops. For these specific Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies, I find the middle size (1.5 tablespoons) to be ideal for a standard-sized cookie. When preparing for a large gathering or party, the smaller 1/2 tablespoon scoop is fantastic for creating miniature cookies that are perfect for sampling alongside other desserts.
My third essential baking item is parchment paper. If you’ve ever dealt with cookies sticking to the pan, parchment paper is your savior! It creates a non-stick surface, guaranteeing that your cookies will slide right off the baking sheet, intact and beautifully shaped. It also makes cleanup incredibly easy. You can often purchase large rolls or pre-cut sheets in bulk, meaning a single purchase will last you for ages. Plus, a single sheet can often be reused for several batches, making it both practical and economical.
Expert Tips for Perfect Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
How Do You Soften Butter Perfectly?
Softened butter is critical for achieving the right cookie texture. It helps create a smooth, airy creamed mixture with the sugars. My preferred method for softening butter quickly is using the defrost function on my microwave. If you need a full 1/2 cup cube of butter, you can leave it in its paper wrapper. For smaller amounts, or if you want to speed up the process even more, cut the butter into smaller pieces and place it in a glass or porcelain bowl.
Use the lowest defrost setting on your microwave and start with just 15-20 seconds. After the initial time, check the butter by gently pressing it with a rubber scraper or your finger. It should indent easily but not be melted or greasy. If it’s still too firm, continue heating in 5-10 second increments, checking after each burst. Butter softens very quickly, so vigilance is key! Over-softened or melted butter will lead to cookies that spread too much and have a greasy texture. If you don’t have a microwave, simply leave the butter at room temperature for an hour or two, or cut it into small cubes to speed up the process.
Ingredients for Our Homemade Oatmeal Cookies Recipe
To make our incredibly delicious Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies, you’ll need the following classic ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup butter-flavored shortening (or additional unsalted butter)
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated white sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 small box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix (essential for chewiness!)
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups rolled oats (see note below on quick vs. old-fashioned)
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Quick Cooking vs. Old Fashioned Oats in Oatmeal Cookies?
When baking oatmeal cookies, one common question is which type of oats to use: quick-cooking or old-fashioned. The good news is, you can successfully use either in this recipe! I’m a big advocate for using whatever ingredients you have readily available in your pantry.
I’ve personally baked these cookies using both varieties, and both yield truly wonderful results. However, if I had to pick a favorite, I lean slightly towards quick-cooking oats. They are cut into smaller pieces and are thinner, which helps them soften more thoroughly during baking. This results in a slightly softer and chewier cookie with a more uniform texture. Old-fashioned (or rolled) oats, on the other hand, are whole oat groats that have been steamed and rolled flat. They retain more of their shape and offer a heartier, more substantial chew in the finished cookie. The choice ultimately comes down to your preferred texture. For a softer cookie, go with quick-cooking. For more bite and a rustic feel, choose old-fashioned. Either way, your chocolate chip oatmeal cookies will be delicious!
Directions for Making Homemade Oatmeal Cookies
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C). Line several baking sheets with parchment paper for easy release and cleanup.
- In a large mixing bowl (preferably using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment), cream together the softened butter, butter-flavored shortening, packed light brown sugar, granulated white sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is light, fluffy, and smooth. This typically takes 2-3 minutes on medium speed. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the instant vanilla pudding mix and continue to mix until fully incorporated.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Gently stir in the rolled oats and semi-sweet chocolate chips by hand or on very low speed, just until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Drop rounded teaspoonfuls of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers appear set but still slightly soft. Avoid overbaking, as this will result in dry cookies.
- Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheets for 2-3 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy these delightful chocolate chip oatmeal cookies warm or at room temperature!
Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
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Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1/2 cup butter flavored shortening
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3.4 oz instant vanilla pudding mix small box
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
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In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, shortening, brown sugar, white sugar, eggs, and vanilla until light and smooth. Stir in the instant vanilla pudding mix until fully combined.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just incorporated.
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Fold in the rolled oats and semi-sweet chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
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Drop rounded teaspoonfuls of dough onto the prepared cookie sheets. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers are set but still soft. Do not overbake.
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Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Can You Freeze Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies?
Absolutely! Freezing is a fantastic way to preserve your delicious Oatmeal Cookies, whether you want to save some for later or prepare ahead for future cravings. There are several convenient methods for freezing, depending on your preference:
1. Freezing the Dough in Bulk: You can freeze the prepared cookie dough in a large airtight container for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to bake, simply transfer the container to the refrigerator and allow the dough to thaw completely. Once thawed, scoop the dough and bake according to the recipe instructions. This method is great if you plan to bake a large batch at once.
2. Freezing Individual Cookie Dough Balls (My Favorite Method!): This is my absolute favorite way to freeze cookie dough, as it allows for fresh-baked cookies whenever the mood strikes! Scoop the dough into individual balls using a cookie scoop and place them on a parchment-lined baking tray. Ensure they are not touching each other. Once the dough balls are completely frozen (this usually takes 1-2 hours), transfer them to a large freezer-safe ziplock bag. They can be stored in your freezer for 4-6 weeks.
When you’re ready to enjoy, simply place the frozen dough balls on a cookie sheet (you might not even need parchment paper if the cookies are frozen solid). While your oven preheats, the dough balls will begin to thaw slightly on the tray. You may need to add 1-3 minutes to the baking time compared to fresh dough. The result? Warm, perfectly baked cookies that taste like they were just made!
3. Freezing Baked Cookies: If you’ve already baked a batch and have leftovers (a rare occurrence with these!), you can certainly freeze the baked cookies. Allow the cookies to cool completely to room temperature before freezing. Once cooled, arrange them in a single layer in an airtight freezer-safe container, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. They’ll be good for 3-4 weeks this way. To thaw, simply take them out of the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes, or warm them slightly in the microwave for a few seconds.
Craving More Delicious Oatmeal Cookies? Explore These Other Recipes!
If you’ve fallen in love with the wholesome goodness of Oatmeal Cookies, then you’re in for a treat! We have a fantastic collection of other oat-filled cookie recipes that are sure to become new favorites in your household. Expand your baking repertoire with these delightful variations:
- Best Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Recipe: A timeless classic that’s perfectly soft and spiced.
- Microwave Oatmeal Cookies for One: Quick and easy when you need a single-serving treat.
- Toffee Oatmeal Cookies: A delightful blend of chewy oats and buttery toffee bits.
- Blackberry Oatmeal Cookies: A unique and fruity twist on the classic.
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies: Combining three beloved flavors into one irresistible cookie.
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In conclusion, these **Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies** are more than just a dessert; they’re a testament to classic comfort, made with simple ingredients that deliver an unforgettable soft and chewy experience. This amazing **homemade cookie recipe** is truly a gem, and we’re confident it will become a cherished staple in your home. Don’t just make cookies; create memories with every delicious bite!