Thick and Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies are perfect with a cool tall glass of milk. Classic, especially if you like to dunk your cookies.
It took a lot of research, a lot of trial and error, a lot of adjusting, a lot of tasting and a lot of dark chocolate chips, but we’ve finally done it: created the recipe for the perfect Thick and Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies from scratch.
A Google search for oatmeal chocolate chip cookies provides millions of recipes -about 15,400,000! But out of all of those, this is the one and we are so excited to share it with all of you!
Crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside – perfection.
You will notice that I said, “we.” I enlisted the help of my daughter and the taste buds of her classmates for this recipe!
My daughter helped me make endless varieties; her classmates chose their favorite out of the two varieties my daughter eventually brought in.
What you have here today is the winning cookie!
If you have a minute, I would like to share what I learned about making oatmeal chocolate chip cookies…
How to make the best chocolate chop cookies
It all begins with butter and sugar. That seems easy enough, right? But let’s take a closer look at these two essential ingredients.
Softened Room Temperature Butter is crucial when baking.
According to all that I have read (and remember from a food science course I took over 30 years ago 😮 ), when room-temperature butter and sugar are whipped together, they form tiny air bubbles trapped in the mixture (also referred to as an emulsion).
When incorporated with the rest of the ingredients (also at room temperature) and eventually baked, these well-distributed air bubbles will result in a uniform texture that is light and airy.
A lighter version of these oatmeal chocolate chip cookies can easily be achieved by replacing half of the butter with ⅓ cup of applesauce (I like to use my chunky applesauce).
Replacing half of the butter with peanut butter can also achieve a peanut butter version.
The perfect degree of chewiness is achieved by using the right proportion of white to brown sugar. Brown sugar has molasses (20% for dark brown sugar and 10% for the light one) and, as a result, provides extra moisture compared to white sugar. Extra moisture means a chewy texture. So play around with the proportions of white and brown sugar to create cookies that have the perfect texture for you. We liked our oatmeal chocolate chip cookies to be chewy.
Once the butter and sugars have been whipped together, add the room-temperature eggs, one at a time. Make sure to beat well after each addition. Add just 1 tablespoon of milk and a drop of vanilla.
We will add some dry ingredients to this wet mixture, followed by the oats.
A whole wheat version can easily be achieved by replacing up to half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour.
Finally, we add dark chocolate chips.
For the oats to become hydrated, refrigerate this mixture for at least 30 minutes.
The only thing left to do is to use a medium-sized disher to portion your cookie dough and bake for approximately 8-9 minutes.
There is no need to flatten the dough before it goes in the oven -the heat from the oven will take care of everything.
Remember, we are looking for thick and chewy cookies.
So when the edges are golden light brown, remove them from the oven.
Yes, I know the center will be a little soft, but let them cool on the baking sheet and your patience will be rewarded. If, on the other hand, you prefer a crisp cookie, keep it in the oven a few minutes longer.
At the risk of repeating myself, these cookies come out thick, soft, and chewy every single time.
That’s what makes them my favorite.
Thicker cookies also have the power to support many add-ons (a feebler cookie would lose its structure and fall apart if you tried putting too many extras). Which is so important for oatmeal cookies!!
One of the best things about oatmeal cookies is how customizable they are.
I make these chocolate chip oatmeal cookies with – surprise! – dark chocolate chips, but they would work just as well with nearly any other kind of add-on.
Variations
- Any dried fruit, like raisins, dried cherries, and dried cranberries.
- Nearly any kind of nut, especially walnuts, and pistachios. Make sure to toast them beforehand.
- Different types of chocolate chips. For example, dark chocolate chips versus milk chocolate chips will yield a different final product.
It’s easy to associate oatmeal with warm, comforting breakfasts on cold and frigid days. You will find that these oatmeal cookies with a glass of milk carry that same sentiment and sense of warmth and comfort.
How to enjoy freshly baked cookies
- Use a disher (ice cream scooper) to portion the raw cookie dough on a baking sheet that fits in your freezer.
- Place the baking sheet with the balls of cookie dough in the freezer.
- Once frozen, transfer the frozen balls of dough to a freezable container or bag—label it with the date.
- When you feel the urge to have freshly baked cookies, preheat the oven and place your frozen ball of cookie dough on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake as per directions and enjoy!
Simple cookie recipes we love
- Oat Bran Cookies
- Pets de Soeur
- S Cookies
- Witch Finger Cookies
- Almond Butter Oatmeal Cookies (Gluten-Free)
- Croissant Cookies
Recipe origins
As a teenager, I never really bought my meals at the school cafeteria; I always brought in a lunch from home filled with tasty leftovers from the day before.
But there was one cafeteria food that I could never resist… those giant soft oatmeal cookies, about as big as my entire hand. Do you know the ones I’m talking about?
They came individually wrapped in cling wrap, and they were just perfect.
I haven’t had a cookie like that in years – decades! Not since I graduated from high school. The quest for that cookie has been on and off over the last few decades – with no success. Recently, I was overcome with a craving for them and started my oatmeal cookie bakeoff (again) in search of that elusive cookie. I started my experiment with this recipe.
I am happy to report that this quest is over, and I have the perfect recipe to show for it.
Customize them, make them your own, and enjoy them with your family and loved ones.
THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.
Ciao for now,
Maria
★★★★★ If you have made this Chocolate Chip Cookie, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!
Recipe
Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter softened, unsalted, 227 grams
- ½ cup sugar granulated, 100 grams
- 1 cup brown sugar 220 grams
- 2 eggs room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 2 cups flour all-purpose, 284 grams
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 3 cups quick-cooking oats OR old fashioned oats 300 grams
- ⅔ cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a medium-sized bowl, cream together the butter and the 2 sugars.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time.
- Add the vanilla extract and the milk and mix together.
- Add the sifted dry ingredients, followed by the oats. Finally, add the chocolate chips and mix thoroughly together with a mixing spoon.
- Cover and chill the dough for at least 30 minutes. The longer the better.
- Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C). Set oven rack to center.
- Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Scoop dough with medium disher and place about 2 inches apart on cookie sheet.
- Bake for about 8 minutes or until the edges begin to turn golden.
- Allow cookies to cool off on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Carmela
The absolute best oatmeal cookie ever!
They were gone in a flash. I baked them for 9 minutes and they were perfect!!
Maria
Fantastic Carmela! Thanks for sharing.
Toni
Hello, Maria.
I used half peanut butter and did not add the white sugar. Turned out a little on the sweet side despite, but yeah, it’s milk dunking good! Thank you for the recipe. Will make this again soon.
Maria
Thanks so much for sharing Toni!
Savio Sequeira
Lovely receipt Maria – I ve tried some of you other before. all with great results
I replaced half the butter with pear sauce and peanut butter both.
and reduced the sugar a bit which made them less sweet.
The texture wasnt chewy tough what am I doing wrong
Maria
Thanks so much for sharing Savio! I’m guessing that replacing the butter with pear sauce contributes to a softer texture. Perhaps the proportions need to be adjusted just a little bit.
Percy
Hi Maria, greetings from Peru. I did all the recipe as indicated and added some walnuts. Me, my wife and kids are amazed. I’d like to try some variations in the ingredients, including some premium (more expensive) ones. Have you tried this? Does this make a huge difference in the result? I also tried different baking times (from 9 to 13 min) and it bakes a really nice difference in the chewieness. I think I will stick to this recipe from now on, thank you som much for sharing it!
Maria
My pleasure Percy! I am thrilled to hear you enjoyed this recipe. Yes, you can try with different nuts according to your preferences. Walnuts and pecans are lovely with this recipe. Thanks for taking the time to comment, appreciate it ♥
Linda Fernandez
Amazing!! Best recipe so far!! Made them for my husband, oatmeal cookies are his favorite. He loved them !! I baked them for 9 min. Perfect!! Thanks so much for the recipe!! Definitely will be making them again!!👍👍
Maria
How wonderful Linda! Thanks so much for sharing.
Mary
What is the point of mixing the vanilla with milk? Never seen anything like that before and I’ve been baking for 50 years.
Maria
Hi Mary. In line 3 I refer to beating the eggs. In line 4, the instructions indicate to add the vanilla extract and the milk and mix together with the eggs. Sorry for the misunderstanding. Thanks for stopping by.
Robin
I love the taste, but I followed the recipe to a T and they are super flat 😫! Any changes I should make living at high altitude (Denver, CO)? Thanks!
Maria
Hi Robin, I am sorry your cookies turned out flat 🙁
I think that with some adjustments, you should be able to get great cookies… don’t want you to miss out!
High altitude baking can be very challenging… from what you described, the batter probably did not have enough structure.
From what I read, Denver is about 5000 feet above sea level…
Here is a great guide that can help you with adjustments for the next time.
So, I would increase the flour by 2 tablespoons; decrease 1 tablespoon of brown sugar; increase the liquid by adding a medium egg (1 medium egg=3 tablespoons of liquid); and increase temperature by 20 degrees.
Would love to hear about your results if you do decide to try it.
Appreciate your comment. Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
Have a great evening Robin 🙂
Jessica
Thanks for all of your help! I made these last night and they are so good! Along with the taste, I love the texture. I put green M&M’s in them for St. Patrick’s Day and they turned out perfect! My husband took some to work today and his co-workers liked them! 🙂
Maria
What a great variation for St. Patrick’s Day! Thanks so much for sharing Jessica… and thanks so much for taking the time to comment, appreciate it ♥
Jessica
Hi Maria! You said “the longer the better” when it comes to chilling the dough. What’s the longest you’d recommend?
Maria
Great question Jessica! I’ve kept the dough in the fridge for 24 hours with great results. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Jessica
Thanks! That’s about how long I usually chill my cookie dough.
Maria
My pleasure Jessica! Hope you like them 🙂
Angie O.
Wow, this recipe is fantastic! I, too, have scoured the internet for an oatmeal cookie recipe that hit all the right notes in terms of taste and texture. I only buy old fashioned oats, so I worried that not having quick oats would negatively affect the final product, but they turned out great! I also made a white chocolate chip/cranberry version and was pleased with the results. I will now use this recipe as my base oatmeal cookie dough. Thanks for sharing!
Maria
Fantastic Angie! Glad to hear you liked the recipe.Good to know the recipe works with old fashioned oats… I will update the recipe card. Appreciate you taking the time to comment. Have a great evening 🙂
Isabelle
Grazie mille Maria
I was looking for a new cookie recipe and i can’t wait to try this one.
And THANK YOU For listing the weights in grams.
I have lived 9 years in Canada, so I am used to cups too, which I use too.
But cup of butter, no thanks 😁
Love your recipes
Ciao
Isabelle (from France)
Maria
Thank you so much for your kind words Isabelle ♥ Measurements in weights is definitely easier, especially for butter. Hope you enjoy these oatmeal chocolate chip cookies! Appreciate your comment. Thanks so much for stopping by ♥♥♥