Name: Levain Bakery Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 11 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup Cold Butter, cut into cubes; 1 cup + 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar; 1/2 cup Sugar; 2 Eggs; 2 cups All-Purpose Flour; 1/2 cup Cake Flour; 1 1/2 cup Rolled Oats; 1 teaspoon Cornstarch; 3/4 teaspoon Baking Soda; 1/2 teaspoon Salt; 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon; 1 1/2 cups Raisins; 1 cup Walnuts, chopped (optional)

Jump to Recipe· 4.4 from 27 reviews

If you’re searching for the perfect balance of chewy, gooey, and delightfully crisp, the Levain Bakery Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe is going to be your new best friend in the kitchen. These cookies are jumbo-sized, packed with plump raisins and crunchy walnuts, and have that unmistakable Levain Bakery charm that feels both indulgent and comforting all at once. Each bite gives you the rustic heartiness of oats with just the right hint of cinnamon warmth, making these cookies a true standout treat for any time of day. I can’t wait to share this recipe with you because it turns your home-baking into a joyful experience with every batch.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows one oatmeal raisin cookie placed on a white marbled surface. The cookie is round and thick with a rough texture, featuring a light golden-brown color on its surface. Scattered across the cookie are several dark brown raisins that create contrast with the lighter oatmeal dough. The cookie’s edges appear slightly crisp with some visible oats throughout the dough, giving it a rustic look. There is a white plate partly visible to the left, and a blue and white cloth can be seen in the corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Getting the ingredients right is half the secret to nailing the Levain Bakery Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe. Each component has a distinct role, contributing to the cookie’s rich texture, sweet depth, and that golden-brown finish you love.

Cold Butter: Using cold, cubed butter helps create that irresistibly thick and chunky cookie texture.
Brown Sugar: Its molasses content adds moisture and a deep caramel flavor that’s essential for chewy cookies.
Granulated Sugar: Balances sweetness and contributes to a slight crispness on the cookie edges.
Eggs: Bind everything together while giving the cookies richness and softness.
Flour: A mix of all-purpose and cake flour keeps your cookies tender yet sturdy enough to hold those add-ins.
Rolled Oats: Provide that classic chewy texture and wholesome flavor.
Cornstarch: Keeps the cookies soft and thick, preventing them from spreading too much.
Baking Soda: A leavening agent that ensures a light rise without making the cookies cakey.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances sweetness beautifully.
Cinnamon: Adds warm, subtle spice that perfectly complements the raisins.
Raisins: Plump, juicy bursts of sweetness that make each bite exciting.
Walnuts (optional): For a lovely crunch and slight bitterness to contrast the sweet raisins.

How to Make Levain Bakery Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Start by preheating your oven to a toasty 410 degrees Fahrenheit so it’s ready to bake your cookies to golden perfection. This high temperature is key to achieving the Levain Bakery signature crusty exterior with a soft heart inside.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, beat the cold cubed butter with both brown and granulated sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. This step builds the cookie’s foundation, creating pockets of air for a tender texture. Next, add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each to ensure a smooth batter.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

Whisk together the cake flour, all-purpose flour, rolled oats, cornstarch, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Adding the dry ingredients gradually to the wet mixture helps you avoid overmixing while ensuring all the flavors get evenly distributed.

Step 4: Fold in Raisins and Walnuts

Gently stir in the plump raisins and chopped walnuts if you’re using them. These mix-ins add delightful texture contrast and bursts of flavor, making every bite uniquely satisfying.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Chilling your dough for 15 minutes is a small step with a big payoff. It firms up the butter slightly to help the cookies maintain their shape and prevents them from spreading too thin in the oven.

Step 6: Shape and Bake

Divide the dough into large balls—if you have a kitchen scale, aim for 4.5 to 6 ounces per cookie to capture that Levain Bakery size and heft. Place them on a light-colored cookie sheet, pressing lightly to smooth the tops. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes until the cookies look golden brown on top. Let them rest for 10 to 15 minutes after baking to set perfectly before enjoying.

How to Serve Levain Bakery Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe

The image shows three oatmeal raisin cookies placed on white square paper on a white marbled surface. Each cookie is thick and round with a bumpy texture, golden brown in color with visible dark raisins and bits of oats scattered evenly throughout. The cookies have a slightly rough and crumbly surface, with some small cracks and crevices giving them a homemade look. The background is softly blurred with more cookies in the distance. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Want to dress up your cookies a bit? A light dusting of cinnamon sugar or a drizzle of melted dark chocolate over the top adds a beautiful finishing touch that’s both pretty and tasty. Freshly ground nutmeg is another wonderful option to sprinkle lightly for extra warmth.

Side Dishes

These hefty oatmeal raisin cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk, a steaming cup of coffee, or even chai tea to highlight the cinnamon notes. Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert that tastes like pure comfort.

Creative Ways to Present

Make your next gathering extra special by stacking the cookies with a layer of cream cheese frosting or peanut butter between two cookies for a cookie sandwich that will wow your guests. You can also crumble them over plain yogurt or ice cream to add texture and flavor in a fun, unexpected way.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your Levain Bakery Oatmeal Raisin Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. This will maintain their chewy texture and rich flavor without drying them out.

Freezing

If you want to enjoy these cookies later, they freeze beautifully. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag or container. They’ll keep fresh for up to three months, ready for baking or thawing as you please.

Reheating

To warm up your cookies, pop them in the oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes or microwave for 10-15 seconds. This quick reheating refreshes their gooey center and crispy edges just like they’re straight from the bakery.

FAQs

Can I substitute the raisins with other dried fruits?

Absolutely! Dried cranberries, cherries, or chopped dates all make delicious substitutes and bring their own unique sweetness and texture to your Levain Bakery Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe.

Is it necessary to use both cake flour and all-purpose flour?

Using both gives you the right balance of tenderness and structure, mimicking the original Levain texture. However, if you don’t have cake flour, you can use all-purpose flour alone, but expect slightly denser cookies.

Why is the butter cold instead of softened?

Cold butter creates thicker cookies with a delightful chunky texture because it takes longer to melt in the oven, limiting how much the dough spreads while baking.

Can I skip the walnuts?

Definitely! The walnuts are optional and can be omitted if you prefer nut-free cookies, or swapped for pecans or chocolate chips for a fun twist on the classic Levain Bakery Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe.

How large should the cookie dough balls be for baking?

They should be generously sized, about 4.5 to 6 ounces each, to achieve that signature oversized Levain look with a soft, thick interior and crispy outside.

Final Thoughts

This Levain Bakery Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe is truly a game-changer for anyone who loves a perfect homemade cookie with depth, texture, and warmth. Whether you’re baking for friends, a cozy night in, or just because you deserve a treat, these cookies won’t disappoint. Dive into the process, savor every step, and get ready to fall head over heels for this timeless favorite.