Helen’s Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies Recipe
Indulging in the delightfully chewy and slightly crisp experience of Helen’s Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies is akin to being wrapped in a warm blanket of nostalgia. This recipe, lovingly passed down from my mom, Helen, is a cherished favorite that has captured the hearts of both family and friends. What makes these cookies truly special is not just the perfect blend of ingredients but the way they evoke the warmth of home baking, a true testament to love shared through food.
Whether you’re a cookie aficionado or a novice in the kitchen, this recipe will guide you through every step of the process, ensuring your cookies turn out as delicious as they are memorable. You can enjoy these cookies as they are, or, for a twist, substitute chocolate chips with raisins or add some walnut pieces for an extra crunch, though I often skip the walnuts for my son’s preference. The cooking time accounts for baking, resting, and removing the cookies, making it perfect for an afternoon of baking with loved ones.
Recipe Overview
- Recipe Name: Helen’s Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
- Category: Drop Cookies
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Servings: 84 cookies
- Rating: β β β β β (5/5 based on 1 review)
Ingredients Table
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Margarine | 1 cup |
| Brown sugar | 1 cup |
| White sugar | ΒΎ cup |
| Eggs | 2 large |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon |
| All-purpose flour | 1Β½ cups |
| Baking soda | 1 teaspoon |
| Baking powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Salt | 1 teaspoon |
| Quick-cooking oats | 3 cups |
| Chocolate chips | 12 ounces |
Nutritional Information Table
| Nutrient | Per Cookie (Approximate) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 66.9 |
| Total Fat | 2.6 g |
| Saturated Fat | 1 g |
| Cholesterol | 4.4 mg |
| Sodium | 62.8 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 10.6 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.6 g |
| Sugars | 6.6 g |
| Protein | 0.9 g |
Instructions Table
| Step | Instructions |
|---|---|
| 1 | Preheat your oven to 350Β°F (175Β°C) to ensure that it’s at the right temperature for baking. |
| 2 | In a large mixing bowl, cream together the margarine and both brown and white sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy, which typically takes about 2-3 minutes using an electric mixer. |
| 3 | Add in the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition, followed by the vanilla extract, which adds a lovely aroma and enhances the overall flavor of the cookies. |
| 4 | Gradually incorporate the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the wet ingredients, blending until just combined. Ensure that no dry flour remains visible in the dough. |
| 5 | Stir in the quick-cooking oats and chocolate chips using a spatula or wooden spoon. For a smoother process, you can use your mixer at a low speed to combine these ingredients seamlessly. |
| 6 | Using a teaspoon, drop spoonfuls of the cookie dough onto ungreased cookie sheets, leaving enough space between each mound for the cookies to spread as they bake. |
| 7 | Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for approximately 7 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown while the centers remain soft. |
| 8 | Once baked, allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for about 2 minutes. This step helps them firm up slightly before transferring them to a cooling area. |
| 9 | For cooling, I recommend using brown paper, like the inside of a grocery bag, to absorb some of the grease from the cookies. Simply cut and flatten out a grocery bag for this purpose. |
| 10 | If you’re using a single cookie sheet, rinse it with cold water and dry it between batches to ensure it cools down enough before placing the next batch of dough on it. |
Baking Tips
- Cooling the Sheet: If you only have one cookie sheet, rinsing it with cold water helps maintain the optimal temperature for baking your next batch.
- Variations: Feel free to experiment with different mix-ins such as raisins or chopped nuts to cater to your taste preferences.
- Storing Cookies: Store your cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh and chewy for days.
Conclusion
Helen’s Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies are more than just a sweet treat; they embody a rich family tradition and a celebration of simple, wholesome ingredients coming together to create a delightful dessert. With the perfect balance of flavors and textures, these cookies are sure to become a beloved addition to your recipe repertoire. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and indulge in the joy of baking these delightful cookies that are bound to make your kitchen smell heavenly. Enjoy every bite, and may they bring you as much joy as they have brought to our family!
