Panera Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Food

SOFT AND CHEWY OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIES

Steps:

• Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream the softened butter and both sugars together on medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the eggs and mix on high until combined, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Add the vanilla and molasses and mix on high until combined. Set aside.
• In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt together. Add to the wet ingredients and mix on low until combined. Beat in the oats, raisins, and walnuts (if using) on low speed. Dough will be thick, yet very sticky. Chill the dough for 30-60 minutes in the refrigerator (do the full hour if you're afraid of the cookies spreading too much). If chilling for longer (up to 2 days), allow to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before rolling and baking.
• Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside.
• Roll balls of dough (about 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie) and place 2 inches apart on the baking sheets. I recommend using a cookie scoop since the dough can be sticky. Bake for 12-14 minutes until lightly browned on the sides. The centers will look very soft and under-baked. Remove from the oven and let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. The cookies will continue to "set" on the baking sheet during this time.

THE BEST OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIES

Steps:

• Arrange an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda and cinnamon in a small bowl until combined. Beat the brown sugar and butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the honey, vanilla, egg and 1 tablespoon warm water and beat on high speed until creamy, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl, about 3 minutes more. Add the dry ingredients and mix on low speed, scraping the bowl as needed, until completely combined. Add the oats and beat on low speed until combined. Fold in the raisins until evenly distributed. Arrange twelve 1-ounce scoops (2-tablespoon portions) of cookie dough on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each. Bake until the cookies are lightly golden around the edges, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool on the sheet for 10 minutes, and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Let the baking sheet cool, and then repeat with the remaining cookie dough.

BERRY OATMEAL COOKIES

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, cream together butter and sugars.
• Mix in eggs, one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
• Combine flour, salt and cinnamon in a separate bowl.
• Add to creamed mixture and stir well.
• Add oats and cranberries. Mix well.
• Cover bowl and let it chill in refrigerator for at least one hour.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease 2 cookie sheets or cover with parchment paper and spray lightly with cooking spray.
• Roll the dough into walnut-size balls and place them 2 inches apart on cookie sheets. Flatten each cookie with a fork that has be dipped in sugar.
• Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. makes 36 cookies.
• Additional Hint; I used Parkay Tub margarine and orange flavored cranberries. It gave the cookies a hint of orange flavor. Cranberries come in different flavors from Ocean Spray so these cookies can take on yummy results.
• I also did not chill the dough and used a medium cookie scoop and I did press them with a fork dipped in sugar. These cookies do spread so make sure they are at least 2 inches apart. They were a hit with my family.