I found the most beautiful, earthy oats at our local farmers market this week, and I knew exactly where they belonged. There is something deeply grounding about bringing wholesome, rustic ingredients into the kitchen to bake a truly loaded treat. These chewy oatmeal cookies celebrate that natural abundance, packed with hearty grains and real vanilla for a deeply comforting bite.
With a base of rich brown sugar and a touch of dark molasses, these cookies bake up beautifully thick and incredibly soft. They hold onto that tender, chewy center while offering a perfectly golden edge. Let’s load these up with semi-sweet chocolate chips and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for the ultimate wholesome indulgence.
Wholesome Loaded Goodness
What makes these cookies so special is how they balance real, hearty ingredients with pure indulgence. The rolled oats bring a rustic, beautiful texture that feels so satisfying and wholesome. I love how the dark molasses adds a deep, natural caramel note that makes every bite incredibly rich.
You will appreciate how adaptable this dough is for whatever natural treasures you have on hand. Whether you want to pack them with dried cherries, fresh nuts, or keep them classic with dark chocolate, they hold up beautifully. They are the kind of hearty, abundant cookies that make everyone feel instantly at home.
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Chewy Oatmeal Cookies
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 mins
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These thick, bakery-style oatmeal cookies feature a deeply caramel-flavored dough enriched with dark molasses and plenty of hearty rolled oats. Loaded with semi-sweet chocolate chips and finished with a touch of sea salt, they offer the perfect balance of wholesome texture and indulgent sweetness.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon dark molasses
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Flaky sea salt for topping
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together for about three minutes until light and creamy.
- Add the room-temperature eggs, dark molasses, and pure vanilla extract and beat on high speed until fully combined.
- Turn the mixer to low and add the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined, then stir in the rolled oats and fold in the chocolate chips.
- Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 45 minutes to allow the oats to hydrate and ensure the cookies bake up thick.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Scoop 2-tablespoon mounds of dough onto the sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart, and bake for 13 to 14 minutes until the edges are golden.
- Let the cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack, and finish with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt while still warm.
Notes
For the best texture, ensure your eggs and butter are truly at room temperature before starting to help the dough emulsify correctly. If you prefer a thinner cookie, you can reduce the chilling time to 20 minutes, though the full 45 minutes provides the best depth of flavor and signature chewiness.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 14 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Fresh Ingredients and Natural Abundance
The secret to the perfect texture lies in choosing quality, wholesome ingredients. We are keeping things real and abundant here to get that beautiful, bakery-style thickness.
- Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: These give the cookies their gorgeous, rustic chew. Avoid quick oats, as we want that full, natural texture.
- Brown Sugar and Molasses: This duo creates a deeply earthy, caramel-like sweetness that keeps the cookies incredibly soft.
- Real Vanilla Extract: A generous splash of quality vanilla brings out the warm, comforting notes of the oats and cinnamon.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: We are loading these up with chocolate, but you can easily swap in dried fruit or nuts.
- Unsalted Butter: Softened to room temperature, this creates a rich, tender base for our dough.
The Natural Process
Step 1: Whisk the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, gently whisk together your flour, an optional pinch of ground cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Setting this aside lets the natural spices mingle.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat your softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until beautifully creamed and lightened in color. This takes about three minutes and builds the soft foundation of our cookies.
Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients
Add your room-temperature eggs, dark molasses, and pure vanilla extract. Beat everything on high speed until wonderfully combined, scraping down the sides to catch every bit of flavor.
Step 4: Fold in the Hearty Add-Ins
Mix your dry ingredients into the wet dough on low speed just until they meet. Then, stir in those beautiful rolled oats and fold in the chocolate chips until the dough is thick, sticky, and generously loaded.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Cover your bowl and let the dough rest in the refrigerator for at least 45 minutes. This chilling time lets the oats soak up the natural flavors and keeps the cookies perfectly thick when baking.
Step 6: Scoop and Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line your baking sheets. Scoop generous 2-Tablespoon mounds of dough, spacing them out, and bake for 13 to 14 minutes until the edges are golden but the centers remain incredibly soft. Let them cool, and finish with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for that perfect sweet-and-salty balance.
Fresh Wisdom for Perfect Cookies
To keep these cookies beautifully thick, never skip the chilling step! Resting the dough allows the flour and oats to hydrate naturally, which gives you that incredibly soft, bakery-style chew. If you love a hearty texture, check out our oatmeal raisin cookies for another classic favorite.
I always recommend using true old-fashioned rolled oats rather than instant varieties. The whole oats provide a beautiful, rustic structure that stands up to the rich molasses and brown sugar. If your dough feels too stiff after a long chill, just let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping. And for a truly gorgeous presentation, press a few extra chocolate chips into the tops of the warm cookies right as they come out of the oven.
Natural Options and Seasonal Swaps
This oatmeal dough is a fantastic canvas for whatever natural ingredients are calling to you. I love swapping half the chocolate chips for vibrant dried cranberries or tart dried cherries. If you want a warmer, spiced flavor profile, you might enjoy trying our chewy pumpkin cookies next!
For a delightful crunch, fold in toasted pecans or earthy walnuts along with the oats. You can even draw inspiration from Sally’s Baking Addiction’s approach to oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and play with the ratio of raisins to chocolate. The beauty of this recipe is how wonderfully it handles being loaded up with wholesome, colorful additions.
Natural Presentation and Fresh Enjoyment
These cookies are at their absolute best when served slightly warm, perhaps with a tall glass of cold milk or a hot cup of black tea. I love arranging them on a rustic wooden board when friends come over, letting their natural, crinkled edges and melting chocolate shine. If you are putting together a dessert spread, they pair beautifully alongside our rich oatmeal scotchies.
For an outdoor picnic or an afternoon in the garden, stack them high in a wicker basket lined with a simple linen cloth. They travel wonderfully and keep their soft, chewy texture for days, making them a beautiful, wholesome treat to share with neighbors.
Keep It Fresh and Abundant
Baking with wholesome, hearty ingredients always brings so much joy into the kitchen. These chewy oatmeal cookies are a testament to how beautiful and satisfying real food can be. Once you try this deeply flavorful, molasses-kissed dough, you will want to make them a permanent part of your baking rotation. Don’t forget to check out our oatmeal raisin cranberry cookies for another vibrant twist!
I would love to see how you load up your cookies! Share your beautiful, natural bakes with me on Instagram and tag me so I can admire your creations. You can also pin this recipe for later on Pinterest or join our wonderful baking community over on Facebook to talk about all things fresh and abundant. Happy baking!
