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#### Instructions:
**1. Preheat the Oven:**
– Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking.
**2. Cream the Butter and Sugars:**
– In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar using an electric mixer or by hand until light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
**3. Add the Wet Ingredients:**
– Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, add the vanilla extract and mix until everything is well combined.
**4. Mix the Dry Ingredients:**
– In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
**5. Add Oats and Raisins:**
– Stir in the oats and raisins until evenly distributed throughout the dough. If you’re adding nuts, fold them in at this stage.
**6. Shape the Dough:**
– Use a tablespoon or a cookie scoop to portion out the dough into rounded balls, placing them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Flatten each ball slightly with the back of a spoon to ensure they bake evenly.
**7. Bake the Cookies:**
– Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown but the centers are still soft. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheet.
**8. Cool and Enjoy:**
– Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy them warm with a glass of milk, or store them in an airtight container for up to a week.
#### Tips and Variations:
– **Dried Fruit:** If you prefer, you can substitute raisins with other dried fruits like cranberries, currants, or chopped dried apricots for a different flavor.
– **Spices:** For a more intense flavor, you can add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice to the dough.
– **Gluten-Free Option:** To make these cookies gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
– **Chewy or Crispy:** If you prefer chewier cookies, slightly underbake them. For crispier cookies, bake them a bit longer.
– **Add-ins:** Experiment with other mix-ins like chocolate chips, shredded coconut, or sunflower seeds to customize your oatmeal raisin cookies.
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies are a timeless treat that combines wholesome oats with the sweetness of raisins, making them a perfect balance of flavor and texture. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create cookies that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Whether you’re sharing them with friends or enjoying them with a cup of tea, these cookies are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!c
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