Oatmeal Raisin Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies

The title alone probably got your attention.  These cookies have developed their own little cult following.  I can pretty much get whatever I want, as long as I show up with a bag of these bad boys.  Enough said... here's the recipe:

1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks) - room temperature

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 cups old fashioned oatmeal (quick cook works also, but I always use old fashioned)

1/2 cup raisins (or a little more)

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (or a little more)

1/2 cup chopped walnut or pecan (optional)
1/2 teaspoon medium or coarse grind sea salt

Heat oven to 350

Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and 1/2 tsp salt, set aside

Beat butter and sugars until creamy 

Add eggs and vanilla, mix well

Add combined flour mixture, mix well

Stir in oats, raisins, chocolate chips and nuts (if using)

Use a 3 tablespoon scoop and drop onto an ungreased cookie sheet.  Leave dough as a mound.  Sprinkle a small pinch of sea salt on top of cookie.  Bake about 13 minutes, or until cookies are golden brown.  Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet; remove to wire rack.  Cool completely before putting in a bag.  Eat within 2-3 days.

Make sure your butter is room temperature.  Using a microwave to soften the butter often makes it slightly melted & your cookies will spread and flatten out more.  I like a good puffy cookie so I make sure to take my butter out a day before I will make them.  I let the mixer do the work with creaming the butter, and it usually takes at least a few minutes.

Enjoy!

Recipe adaped from: Quaker oatmeal