🍪 Sourdough Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Soft, chewy, cinnamon-spiced and packed with golden raisins and oats.

Oatmeal raisin cookies don't get nearly enough respect.

Until you bite into a really good one.

These Sourdough Oatmeal Raisin Cookies are soft in the middle, slightly crisp around the edges, loaded with chewy raisins, hearty rolled oats, and warm cinnamon.

And because we're adding sourdough discard, they have that subtle fermented tang that makes homemade cookies taste just a little more interesting.

They're cozy, old-fashioned, ridiculously good—and another delicious way to make sure your sourdough discard doesn't end up in the garbage.

🍪 The Quick Version

🥣 Ingredients

Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans.

1. Cream the Butter & Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and creamy.

This usually takes about 2–3 minutes with an electric mixer.

Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

2. 🥚 Add the Wet Ingredients

Add the sourdough discard, egg, and vanilla.

Mix until everything is well combined.

The mixture may look slightly curdled or loose at this stage.

Don't panic.

The flour and oats are about to fix everything.

3. Add the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, rolled oats, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.

Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients.

Mix just until combined.

Don't overmix the dough.

4. Fold in the Raisins

Fold the raisins into the cookie dough.

If you're adding walnuts or pecans, fold those in now too.

Give the dough just enough mixing to distribute everything evenly.

5. ❄️ Chill the Dough

Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough for approximately 30 minutes.

Chilling helps the butter firm up and prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.

You can also refrigerate the dough overnight if you want to prepare it ahead of time.

6. Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Scoop approximately 2 tablespoons of dough for each cookie and place them several inches apart.

Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers still look slightly soft.

Don't overbake them.

That's how you keep the centers soft and chewy.

7. ✨ Cool & Enjoy

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes.

Then transfer them to a wire rack.

Or eat one immediately.

We're not going to tell you which option we recommend.

🌟 Why Add Sourdough Discard?

Sourdough discard adds moisture and a subtle tang that balances the sweetness of the brown sugar and raisins.

It also gives these cookies a little more depth than a traditional oatmeal raisin cookie.

And perhaps most importantly...

It gives you another delicious reason to save your discard. 🐿️

👩🍳 Squirrelly Girl Pro Tips

🍪 Make Them Your Own

The classic oatmeal raisin cookie is hard to beat, but there's plenty of room to experiment.

• 🍫 Chocolate: Add chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate.
• 🥜 Walnut: Fold in chopped walnuts.
• 🌰 Pecan: Use toasted pecans for a buttery crunch.
• 🍎 Apple Cinnamon: Add a pinch of extra cinnamon and finely diced dried apples.
• 🥥 Coconut: Add shredded coconut for a tropical twist.
• 🍊 Orange Raisin: Add a little orange zest to brighten the flavor.

🐿️ Your Discard Isn't Waste

One of the best things about sourdough is discovering just how useful that discard can be.

Instead of throwing it away, turn it into pancakes, crackers, muffins, cakes, waffles—and now these ridiculously good oatmeal raisin cookies.

Feed your starter. Save your discard. Bake something amazing.

🫙 How to Store Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Once completely cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for several days.

For longer storage, place them in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze.

You can also freeze individual portions of cookie dough and bake them fresh whenever the craving strikes.

Baker's Warning

These cookies contain oats, raisins, butter, cinnamon, and sourdough discard. They may cause sudden cravings for coffee, milk, and "just one more."

You have been warned. 🍪

🍞 Sourdough Academy

🥣 What Is Sourdough Starter?

🌾 How to Activate Sourdough Starter

💧 How to Feed Sourdough Starter

🧬 How Sourdough Starter Works

✅ How to Tell if Sourdough Starter Is Ready

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🍪 Happy Baking!

Save the discard.

Add the oats.

Bake the cookies. 🐿️🍪