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Home » Recipes » Cookies

Oatmeal Raisin Cranberry Cookies

By Lauren | Updated: Jan 30, 2024 | Published: Apr 14, 2021 | 2 Comments

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These Oatmeal Raisin Cranberry Cookies are chewy with a slight crisp at the edges and they last for several days. They have less butter and sugar than a typical cookie, which makes them harder to resist throughout the day. They are made in one bowl, can be thrown together in just a few quick steps, and can be mixed by hand or with a mixer.

A cookie drying rack with oatmeal raisin cranberry cookies layered on top.

The recipe is based on the recipe, Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, in Brian Noyes’s cookbook, the Red Truck Bakery Cookbook. I adjusted the ingredients slightly and simplified the process.

In addition to these Oatmeal Raisin Cranberry Cookies, I also love this recipe for a Small Batch of Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies, Maple Oatmeal Cookies, or this other Small Batch Recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies. For a more fruity cookie, try these Lemon Curd Cookies or Strawberry Jam Cookies. Or if you're in the mood for chocolate chip cookies but ran out of brown sugar, you can use this Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe.

Ingredients:

Below are the ingredients needed to make Oatmeal Raisin Cranberry Cookies, as well as some notes on each so that you have all the info needed to have the right ingredients on hand.

Ingredients on a counter needed to make oatmeal raisin cranberry cookies.
  • Butter: uses only 6 tablespoons. I use salted butter, either salted or unsalted works.
  • Dark Brown Sugar: for color and flavor.
  • Granulated Sugar: uses only ½ a cup, for sweetness.
  • Eggs: use large eggs, pasture-raised if possible.
  • Cinnamon: buy high-quality cinnamon. You can taste the difference (Ceylon cinnamon from Simply Organics, which can be found at various grocery stores and Whole Foods).
  • Vanilla Extract: use real vanilla extract, a large bottle can be purchased at Costco. A bottle will last a whole year or more if you bake with moderate frequency.
  • Rolled oats: be sure to use old-fashioned rolled oats, not steel cut.
  • Flour: use all-purpose unbleached flour.
  • Baking Powder & Soda: for leavening. Check to make sure they have not expired.
  • Salt: to balance and enhance flavors.
  • Raisins: any brand works.
  • Cranberries: any brand works. If you look closely, you can find unsweetened versions at some grocery stores, which in my opinion are just as good as the more commonly found sweetened cranberries.

To learn more about these cookie ingredients, see my Guide to Cookie Ingredients.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Variations

Below are some ideas for fun variations on an Oatmeal Raisin Cranberry Cookie:

  • Cranberries & Raisins: These cookies can be made with only cranberries, only raisins, or with the addition of golden raisins.
  • Dried Fruit: chopped apricots, or dried cherries (dried cherries can be a little sour which pairs so well with the sweet cookie!)
  • Nuts: walnuts, pecans, or almonds
  • Seeds: pepitas or sunflower seeds
  • Chocolate Chips: semi-sweet, bittersweet, milk chocolate, or M&M's for a trail mix effect

How to Make Oatmeal Raisin Cranberry Cookies

Below are the step-by-step instructions and accompanying photos for how to make Oatmeal Raisin Cranberry Cookies.

Note: The full instructions and ingredients including quantities are listed further below in the recipe card. Scroll down for additional details.

A mixing bowl with butter and sugar next to an image of the bowl with ingredients combined as well as eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, salt, baking soda and baking powder added.

Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar

Step 2. Add the eggs, cinnamon, vanilla, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and mix until combined.

A mixing bowl with the cookie dough plus flour, oats, raisins, and cranberries added. A bowl with the fully combined cookie dough.

Step 3. Add the flour, oats, raisins, and dried cranberries and combine with a large spoon.

A baking sheet with cookie before and after being baked.

Step 4. Roll large spoonfuls of dough, about 2 tablespoons, into balls and place them on a baking sheet. Use a cookie scoop or two spoons to shape the dough into balls. Then flatten slightly. You can fit 9 cookies on a baking sheet.

Step 5. Bake for 12-13 minutes.

Tips & Tricks

  • One Bowl: Use one large bowl for easy cleanup.
  • High-Quality Cinnamon: Use high-quality cinnamon. I like a brand called Simply Organics. It's more expensive, but will last you a while, and is well worth it. I use this cinnamon quite a bit when making Maple Pecan Granola.
  • How to Soften Butter: If your butter is not softened, place the butter from the fridge in a large microwavable bowl. Cook for 1 minute at 20% power. Flip the butter over in the bowl and add 30 seconds at 20% power as needed.
  • Mixing the Dough: Mix the dough by hand or with a hand-held mixer or stand mixer.
  • Order of Ingredients: In this recipe, I start by mixing the butter and sugar. Then I add eggs, which creates a wet batter and then I add in the cinnamon, salt, vanilla extract, baking soda, and baking powder. This allows you to thoroughly and evenly incorporate the salt and baking soda into the dough, before adding the flour and oats.
  • Scooping the Dough: To scoop the dough use a 2 tablespoon cookie scoop, or you can use two spoons or your hands to shape the dough into balls, roughly 2 tablespoons in size.
  • Flatten the Dough: After scooping the dough and placing the dough on the baking sheet, flatten the balls of dough slightly with the back of a spoon or your fingers. That will create a flatter chewier cookie.

Oatmeal Raisin Cranberry Cookie FAQs

What oats should I use for Oatmeal Raisin Cranberry Cookies?

Be sure to use rolled oats (old-fashioned style), not steel-cut oats. Rolled oats are widely available, but the quality can vary. I prefer using gluten-free oats sold by Trader Joe’s. Sometimes the old-fashioned oats description is in small print or on the back of the packaging.

Is it necessary to flatten the cookie dough before baking?

In order to achieve a chewy cookie that is ever so slightly crisp at the edges (a great combination), you will need to flatten the balls of cookie dough slightly. If you don’t do this the cookies will be poofy and slightly more cake-like.

How do I store baked cookies to keep them fresh?

Store these cookies wrapped in plastic or in a sealed plastic container and leave them out on the counter. They will stay fresh for several days and up to a week.

Can these cookies be frozen?

Yes, these cookies and the cookie dough can be frozen (with preference given to freezing the dough rather than the baked cookies). Bake from frozen adding approximately 2 minutes to the baking time, or bring to room temperature and then bake for the directed time.

If you're interested in other cookie recipes you may love these:

  • Child holding a stack of large Chocolate Chip Cafe Cookies.
    Bakery Style Chocolate Chip Cafe Cookies
  • An oatmeal chocolate chip cookie with milk, cookies, and chocolate chips in the background.
    Small Batch Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Crispy Salted Caramel Cookies layered on top of each other on a dark background accented with flaky sea salt.
    Crispy Salted Caramel Cookies
  • Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Cookies piled on a gold baking sheet on a white marble background.
    Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Cookies

If you tried this Oatmeal Raisin Cranberry Cookies or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

A cookie drying rack with oatmeal raisin cranberry cookies layered on top.

Oatmeal Raisin Cranberry Cookies

These Oatmeal Raisin Cranberry cookies are slightly crispy at the edges, chewy in the middle, and full of raisins, cranberries, and cinnamon.
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 25 minutes mins
Author Lauren Skardal
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 16 cookies
Calories 168 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 6 tablespoon butter, softened
  • ¼ cup dark brown sugar
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • ½ cup raisins
  • ½ cup dried cranberries

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
    In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar.
  • Add the eggs, cinnamon, vanilla extract, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and mix until combined.
  • Add the flour, oats, raisins, and dried cranberries and combine with a large spoon.
  • Roll large spoonfuls of dough, about 2 tablespoons, into balls and place them on a baking sheet. Use a cookie scoop or two spoons to shape the dough into balls. Then flatten slightly. You can fit 9 cookies on a baking sheet.
  • Bake for 12-13 minutes.

Notes

    • One Bowl: Use one large bowl for easy cleanup.
    • High-Quality Cinnamon: Use high-quality cinnamon. I like a brand called Simply Organics. It's more expensive, but will last you a while, and is well worth it. I use this cinnamon quite a bit when making Maple Pecan Granola.
    • How to Soften Butter: If your butter is not softened, place the butter from the fridge in a large microwavable bowl. Cook for 1 minute at 20% power. Flip the butter over in the bowl and add 30 seconds at 20% power as needed.
    • Mixing the Dough: Mix the dough by hand or with a hand-held mixer or stand mixer.
    • Scooping the Dough: To scoop the dough use a 2 tablespoon cookie scoop, or you can use two spoons or your hands to shape the dough into balls, roughly 2 tablespoons in size.
    • Flatten the Dough: After scooping the dough and placing the dough on the baking sheet, flatten the balls of dough slightly with the back of a spoon or your fingers. That will create a flatter chewier cookie.
  •  

Nutrition

Calories: 168kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 141mg | Potassium: 96mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 161IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg
Have you tried this recipe? Leave a comment below and share a photo on instagram and tag @elleandpear or #elleandpear. I'd absolutely love to hear from you and see what you're making!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Claudia N Chandler says

    May 03, 2025 at 10:39 pm

    5 stars
    these cookies were phenomenal! I already had a recipe for oatmeal raisin cookies that I always made but I came across your recipe and it's way better than mine!! And my family loves them! Thank you for sending this recipe 🙂

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 05, 2025 at 9:04 pm

      Hi Claudia, Thanks so much for the very kind note! I'm so glad that you and your family love the cookies! ❤️

      Reply
5 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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Lauren sitting at table in Tuscany with a glass of wine, charcuterie and rolling green hills and winery in the background.

I'm Lauren, I've worked in Finance, earned an MBA, and lived and traveled throughout Europe and the US. I love to cook and bake, and bring our family together around the table. Recipes shared here are real family recipes with real fresh ingredients inspired by our travels.

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