Best Chewy Oatmeal Cookie Recipe

I've tried many oatmeal cookie recipes in my lifetime. I've come across a few that I like, but a whole lot that in my opinion were awful. I was always looking for one that was chewy and had a texture similar to the Little Debbie brand oatmeal pie.

Well, I finally found a recipe that I love and it has been my go to recipe ever since, I've altered it several times in different ways according to the ingredients I have on hand, and it has proved to be very versatile.

I'm going to give you the current form of the recipe adaptions I used in this batch and then I'll give you the original recipe. Try them both and let me know what you think. Unless you are making cookies for a rather large crowd, or you have an immense sweet tooth, you might want to half these recipes because they make around 8-9 dozen cookies.

I'm not exactly sure where I found this recipe. I thought it was from an Amish cookbook I have, but when I checked to make sure I found it was not there. The card in my file simply says Amish Oatmeal Cookies. If you happen to know the source leave me a comment and I will gladly give credit where credit is due.

Amish Oatmeal Cookies (Mindy's version)

1 1/2 cups mixed dried fruit

(dates, raisins, and cransins)

1 cup walnuts

6 cups all-purpose flour

3 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 tsp. ginger

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 1/2 cups butter flavored shortening

3 cups sugar

2 cups oatmeal

3 tsp. baking soda

1 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup ribbon cane syrup

3 eggs

Grind fruit and nuts in a food grinder or processor, set aside.

Sift flour, baking powder, salt, spices, in a VERY large bowl

Cut in shortening until fine crumbs form

Add fruit and nuts, sugar, oats, and mix well

Dissolve baking soda in buttermilk

Add syrup and eggs

Stir well with a very sturdy spoon (I have broken a wooden spoon before while making this recipe)

Use cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop onto parchment lined cookie sheets and bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

Amish Oatmeal Cookies (original version)

1 1/2 cups raisins

1 cup peanuts

6 cups all-purpose flour

3 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp salt

1 tsp. nutmeg

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 1/2 cups shortening

3 cups sugar

2 cups oatmeal

3 tsp. baking soda

1 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup molasses

3 eggs

Grind fruit and nuts in a food grinder or processor, set aside.

Sift flour, baking powder, salt, spices, in a VERY large bowl

Cut in shortening until fine crumbs form

Add fruit and nuts, sugar, oats, and mix well

Dissolve baking soda in buttermilk

Add molasses and eggs

Stir well with a very sturdy spoon (I have broken a wooden spoon before while making this recipe)

Use cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop onto parchment lined cookie sheets and bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.