Raisin cookies are typically a drop-type cookie, where spoonfuls of batter are dropped onto a cookie sheet. Raisins are packed full of sugar and moisture, which help make the cookies a lunch-box favorite. The raisin cookies' batter can resemble that of a sugar cookie, or feature ingredients to enhance its bulk and flavor, such as oatmeal and nuts. The types of raisins used in the cookies can also vary, including dark or light raisins.
Oatmeal raisin cookies are often a family favorite because they are easy to make, pack well for to-go lunches and their flavor appeals to adults and children alike. They feature brown and white sugars, flour and butter. Rolled oats and raisins are stirred into the batter at the finish. The cookies are dropped by teaspoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet and baked until golden brown, then cooled on a wire rack.
Old-time oatmeal raisin ice box cookies get their crunch from six-grain cereal. They feature golden raisins and coarsely chopped walnuts. The prepared dough is rolled into logs on waxed paper and refrigerated at least six hours before baking.
Changing the basic recipe can be done to create thick and chewy oatmeal raisin cookies. Changes include using only brown sugar instead of a white and brown combination and chilling the dough before spooning it onto the cookie sheet, or spooning the cookies out and placing the whole cookie sheet into the refrigerator. Chopped walnuts can also be added to the mix. Another variation, raisin pecan oatmeal cookies, is made by adding baked and coarsely chopped pecans to the batter. In contrast to thick raisin cookies, flat raisin cookies are pressed with the bottom of a glass to flatten them before they are baked.
Variations of raisin cookies can be made with a smoother batter consisting of flour, baking powder and ground cinnamon. Butter, egg and milk are mixed with the dry ingredients, and the raisins are added at the end. The cookies are baked until their edges are golden brown. To make giant sugar cookies with raisin polka dots, small clusters of raisins are added to the tops of the cookies right before baking.
Nuts and fruits are common ingredient choices for adding flavor to raisin cookies. Peanut raisin honeys features crunchy peanut butter, honey and chopped, salted peanuts. Pineapple-raisin cookies are flavored with crushed pineapple. Raisin-nut cookies feature chopped walnuts and are topped with browned-butter icing. Applesauce-raisin cookies feature applesauce in the mix. The filling for raisin-filled cookies is made by blending the raisins and nuts in a blender, then adding sugar, water and cornstarch and cooking down the mixture.