Here’s how to surprise your husband on his birthday: Make Healthy And Scrumptious Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Cookies are an integral part of any special occasion, whether it’s a birthday, an anniversary, a graduation party, or just a weekend of hanging out with friends and family. So make these if you're wondering how to surprise your husband on his birthday. While chocolate chip cookies are the most popular the world over, several people also prefer something healthier. And among those who make more conscious choices, oatmeal raisin cookies are the king. The oatmeal makes them filling and full of fiber while the raisins add fun and a unique sweetness to the cookies. Of course, you can then also add chocolate chips to the mix and have the best of both worlds. But we’ll leave that choice up to you. But whatever the occasion, some health-conscious cookies can go a long way. So here’s everything you need to know to make the most impressive oatmeal raisin cookies.

Ingredients:

• 226 gm unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 200 gm packed light or dark brown sugar
• 50 gm granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 Tablespoon unsulphured or dark molasses
• 188 gm all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 255 gm old-fashioned whole rolled oats
• 140 gm raisins
• 1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts

Directions:

• Using a blender or hand mixer, cream the butter and both varieties of sugar together. Make sure it is well incorporated. Add the sugars one or two spoons at a time, wait for it to get incorporated, and then add more. Ensure the sugar is completely mixed before moving on to the next step.
• Then add the eggs, one at a time, and mix well until fully combined. Stop the mixer, scrape down the sides of the bowl, and continue mixing again.
• Then add the vanilla and molasses and mix on high until fully combined. Set aside.
• In a bowl, add the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt and whisk.
• Once all the dry ingredients are well mixed, slowly add them to the wet ingredients, one or two spoons at a time. The dough should mix well together.
• Then add the oats, raisins and walnuts. The dough will be thick and sticky.
• Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it sit in the fridge for about 45 minutes. If you don't want to bake the cookies immediately, you can place this wrapped dough in the freezer for up to 3 months, using as needed. With this dough, it's possible to make just one or two cookies at a time and keep the dough going for a long time. When using, let the dough sit out at room temperature for at least an hour and thaw before you start baking.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F or 177°C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
• Take chunks of dough and roll them into balls, and place on the tray. Have space between each ball so that there’s space for the cookies to expand.
• Bake for 15 minutes. The sides should be lightly browned. The centre might look underbaked but that’s okay. Remove from the oven and let it sit. It will continue baking from the residue heat. Then transfer to a wire rack and let it cool completely.
• Serve warm with a glass of milk or crumble it into a bowl of ice cream for a more fun, indulgent dessert.

Notes, tips and tricks:

• The cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for a week. Baked cookies can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
• It's best to use old-fashioned whole oats for the cookies, since they are hearty, chewy and give the cookies a nice and thick texture.
• Make sure the eggs are at room temperature before adding them to the mixture.
• Let the raisins soak in warm water for just 10 minutes before using. Once they've soaked, blot them dry and then add them. This makes them more dense and plump and as part of the cookies, they will be nice and chunky offering fun, flavorful bites.
• When adding the raisins, you can also add other additions like chocolate chips or anything else that you want chunks of when eating the cookies.