Sweet and Chewy Oatmeal Apple Cookies Recipe
Get ready to warm your heart and soul with these delicious Oatmeal Apple Cookies! As an experienced baker, I have found that nothing beats the feeling of baking treats that can delight your family and friends. These apple oatmeal cookies are the perfect touch of sweetness to accompany your morning coffee, afternoon tea, or to simply snack on in between meals.
Using a blend of whole-grain oats, sweet apples, and nutty walnuts, this gluten-free version of traditional oatmeal cookies recipe will become a family favorite in no time. With just the right amount of cinnamon and nutmeg spice and a soft, chewy texture, these easy oatmeal apple cookies will create warm memories that last a lifetime.
So turn up the oven to 350°F (177°C), grab your mixing bowls and let’s get started whipping up some light fluffy batches of oatmeal apple cookies! But before we dive into the ingredients list, here’s why you’ll fall in love with this recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Indulgence meets wholesomeness with my oatmeal apple cookies recipe! This recipe is a match made in heaven for folks who love classic oatmeal cookies with a flavorful twist. With the addition of apples and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, these cookies turn into a warm and inviting treat that will remind you of the fall season.
One thing that sets this recipe apart from others is its versatility. You can customize your batch by adding your favorite toppings, such as walnuts or raisins, to give them a satisfying crunch. Best of all, you can use either whole grain oats or quick oats, depending on what’s available in your kitchen.
These cookies are also highly adaptable to suit different dietary requirements. If you’re gluten-free or vegan, swap out regular flour for gluten-free flour or use butter alternatives instead of shortening. The apples provide natural sweetness, making it an excellent choice for those seeking healthy desserts.
But let’s not forget the best part: These cookies are easy to make! Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting, this recipe is user-friendly, and the essential equipment you need is nothing but a bowl and whisk (or electric mixer). Just follow my instructions in section four, and before you know it, soft and chewy apple oatmeal cookies will be yours!
So why not indulge your sweet tooth while sticking to your health goals? With the combination of oats, nuts, raisins, and fresh apples baked to perfection offers both substance and flavor. It makes me confident that these oatmeal apple cookies will become one of your new favorites.
Ingredient List
Let’s talk about the ingredients you’ll need to make these delightful Oatmeal Apple Cookies. This recipe calls for a lovely array of flavors and textures that marry together to make for a truly satisfying treat. Here is what you will need:
Dry ingredients:
- 2 cups of quick oats
- 1 cup of flour
- 1 tsp of baking soda
- 1 tsp of cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp of nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp of salt
Wet ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of shortening
- 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup of brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tsp of vanilla extract
- 2 cups of apples, peeled and diced small
- 1/4 cup of milk
Optional ingredients:
You can add different optional ingredients to the mix to suit your preference and mood. Here are some suggestions:
– 1 cup of chopped walnuts or raisins
– Substituting some or all-purpose flour with whole grain flour for a wholesome twist.
– Replacing milk with any plant-based alternative like soy or almond milk.
By having all these ingredients ready at your counter, you’re making sure your baking journey goes as smoothly as possible.
The Recipe How-To
Mixing the Dry Ingredients
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups of flour (all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour), 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg and 1/2 teaspoon of salt until combined.
Step 3: Add 2 cups of quick oats, and whisk it into the mix too.
Step 4: Set aside the dry ingredients before you prepare the wet mixture.
Substitutions and Variations
Bored of the classic Oatmeal Apple Cookies? Have no fear, as there are endless ways to experiment with this recipe! Whether you want to switch up the ingredients or add extra toppings, these variations will help you create your own unique cookies recipe.
Firstly, if you’re allergic to nuts or simply don’t like them, feel free to remove walnuts from the ingredient list. You can replace them with raisins or even chocolate chips for a sweeter taste. Additionally, if you’re looking for a gluten-free version of these cookies, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend such as almond flour or coconut flour.
Furthermore, you can experiment with different types of apples, such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, to change the overall flavor profile of your cookies. Adding other spices and flavors, like pumpkin spice or ginger, is a great way to elevate your cookies even further.
If you’re aiming for healthier options, try using coconut oil instead of shortening and decreasing the amount of sugar in half. You can also add chia seeds, flaxseed meal, or hemp hearts for an extra nutrition boost.
Finally, oatmeal raisin fans can substitute apple chunks with dried raisins or cranberries to make delicious oatmeal raisin cookies. Peanut butter lovers can add peanut butter to the mix for an extra layer of creaminess.
The possibilities are endless! Don’t be afraid to experiment with any ingredients you have on hand and find your favorite variation of this classic recipe.
Serving and Pairing
When it comes to serving and pairing these scrumptious oatmeal apple cookies with anything, there’s really no wrong answer. Personally, I love enjoying a warm cookie fresh out of the oven with a glass of cold milk or a hot cup of tea. For a more decadent dessert experience, you could even indulge in a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top!
If you’re looking for something a bit more sophisticated to pair your cookies with, I recommend trying them alongside some warm spiced apple cider or mulled wine. The warm spices in the cookies blend perfectly with the spices used in these drinks and create a cozy flavor profile that’s perfect for chilly nights.
These cookies make excellent gifts or party favors as well. You can pack them up in cute cookie tins, wrapped in clear cellophane or nestled in a Kraft box for an effortlessly chic homemade gift. Additionally, they pair perfectly with savory snacks like cheese and crackers, charcuterie boards, or even bacon-wrapped dates for some sweet and salty snacking.
No matter how you choose to serve or pair these oatmeal apple cookies, one thing is for sure – they’re bound to be a crowd pleaser!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
I know that sometimes you may feel like baking a batch of oatmeal apple cookies well in advance, or maybe you have leftovers that you would like to store and reheat later. I got you covered. Here are some tips for storing and reheating these delicious oatmeal apple cookies.
To make-ahead, refrigerate your cookie dough for up to 2 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months. Before baking the cookie dough that has been refrigerated, let it come to room temperature. When using frozen cookie dough, thaw it overnight in your fridge.
To store your already baked oatmeal apple cookies, place them in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days or freeze them for up to 3 months. To keep them fresh, place a slice of bread inside the container with the cookies. The bread will absorb the moisture and keep your cookies crispy and delicious.
Reheating your stored cookies is very easy, either microwave them for a few seconds or preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and bake them for a few minutes until they are warm and soft again.
Remember not to store them close to anything with strong odors as they tend to absorb flavors from other foods quickly. These make-ahead storing and reheating tips will ensure that you always have fresh, soft and chewy apple oatmeal cookies whenever you crave them.
Tips for Perfect Results
Now that you know how to make oatmeal apple cookies, let me share some tips for perfect results. Here are some of my tried and true advice to ensure your cookies come out soft, chewy, and delicious every time.
1. Don’t overmix the dough: Overmixing the dough can lead to tough and dense cookies. Once the flour is added, mix it until just combined, then stop. It’s also important not to overmix when adding in the other ingredients as well.
2. Room temperature ingredients: Make sure your eggs, butter, and milk are at room temperature before using them in the recipe. This allows for better incorporation of ingredients, leading to a more homogenous mixture.
3. Use good quality ingredients: This is a simple rule for any recipe. The quality of your ingredients plays a significant role in the success of your baking endeavor. Use fresh apples, good raisins or walnuts if you decide to add them in, and top-quality oats to achieve the best flavor.
4. Chill the dough: Letting the dough rest in the fridge or freezer before baking allows it to firm up, making it easier to handle and preventing spreading while baking.
5. Don’t flatten the cookies too much: It’s tempting to press down on the cookie dough balls before baking them into discs but resist that urge- flattened cookie dough may expand even more when baked leading to aesthetically imperfect-looking yet structurally sound cookies.
6. Adjust baking time: Every oven varies with its temperature accuracy so keep an eye on your first batch of cookies – they can turn crispy and dry rather quickly if overcooked.
With these helpful tips, you’re now ready to bake perfectly soft and chewy oatmeal apple cookies every time!
FAQ
Now, let’s take a look at some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about this oatmeal apple cookies recipe to help ensure your baking success.
Are oatmeal cookies healthier than sugar cookies?
When it comes to cookies, oatmeal ones offer more health benefits than regular sugar cookies. These cookies are packed with fiber, which helps in maintaining a healthy digestive system. They also contain essential minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium, which are crucial for physical health. What’s more, oatmeal cookies are a lighter option compared to their sugar-laden counterparts, making them a perfect guilt-free treat.
Why do my oatmeal cookies get hard?
When making cookies, it’s important to avoid overmixing the dough. Overmixing causes the gluten in the flour to develop, resulting in tough cookies. If the recipe doesn’t explicitly require an electric mixer, be sure to use a wooden spoon when mixing in the dry ingredients. Additionally, it’s essential to avoid packing flour when measuring it. Simply scoop the flour lightly into the measuring cup to ensure accurate measurements.
How do you make Martha Stewart oatmeal cookies?
For this recipe, we will need some essential ingredients such as 1 cup of packed light-brown sugar, 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1/2 pound (2 sticks) of unsalted butter at room temperature, 2 large eggs, also at room temperature, 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract, 3 cups of rolled oats, 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, and 1 teaspoon of baking soda.
Are oatmeal cookies as healthy as oatmeal?
One can obtain a significant amount of dietary fiber from the combination of whole grain oats and raisins. Additionally, due to the presence of whole grain oats, these cookies can provide a feeling of fullness for a longer duration. Nevertheless, it is important to acknowledge that oatmeal raisin cookies still contain higher amounts of butter and sugar compared to other snacks. Therefore, it’s advisable to consume them in appropriate portions and with moderation to consider them a healthy snack.
Bottom Line
In summary, these oatmeal apple cookies are a scrumptious and simple treat that will satisfy your sweet tooth. With the right ingredients in your pantry and following the steps, you can achieve a soft, chewy, and flavorful cookie. The combination of apples, cinnamon, and quick oats add heartiness and texture to this recipe. Plus, you can customize it to fit your dietary preferences or adjust it to match your overall taste.
Whether you’re hosting an event or looking for a quick snack, these oatmeal apple cookies are perfect for any occasion. They also make an excellent gift for friends or loved ones who enjoy homemade baked goods. So why not give this recipe a try and upgrade your cookie game? I promise this baked delight filled with apple bits and the perfect balance of cinnamon flavor will not disappoint!
Oatmeal Apple Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup shortening
- 1 1/4 cups firmly packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 cup flour
- 1 1/4 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 3 cups quick oats (not instant or old fashioned)
- 1 cup peeled diced apple
- 3/4 cup raisins (optional)
- 3/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375° and grease cookie sheet.
- Combine shortening, sugar, egg, milk and vanilla in large bowl.
- Beat at medium speed until well blended.
- Combine flour, cinnamon, salt, soda and nutmeg in a small bowl and mix into creamed mixture at low speed until just blended.
- Stir in oats, apples, raisins and nuts.
- Drop rounded tablespoonfuls of dough about 2-inches apart onto prepared cookie sheets.
- Bake for 13 minutes or until just set.
- Cool for a minute or 2 on cookie sheets and then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
Your Own Notes
Nutrition
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Steven is a chef by heritage, so it’s no wonder why baking is such a big part of who he is. To share his passion for all things sweet, he created cookiesncrepes.com. It’s the perfect platform to indulge in delicious treats, all with a sprinkle of his signature flare.