If you’ve been on the hunt for a warm, nostalgic treat that comforts with every bite, look no further than the Lunch Lady Oatmeal Cookies Recipe. These cookies bring together a wonderful balance of soft, chewy oats and a symphony of spices that feel like a hug from your childhood. Whether you want to relive school snack time or simply need a delightful homemade cookie to brighten your day, this recipe is easy, rewarding, and guaranteed to become a favorite in your cookie jar.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple ingredients often make the most remarkable recipes, and this cookie is no exception. Each item plays a crucial role in delivering that classic, rich flavor and chewy texture we all love in oatmeal cookies.
- 14 Tbsp butter (softened): Adds richness and helps achieve a tender crumb.
- 1¼ cups Crisco shortening: Keeps the cookies soft and moist for days.
- 1 cup sugar: Provides sweetness and a slight crunch on the edges.
- 1¼ cup packed light brown sugar: Brings a deep, molasses-like flavor and extra chewiness.
- 3 large eggs: Binds the ingredients and adds moisture.
- 1 Tbsp vanilla: Elevates the flavor with warm, aromatic notes.
- 3¼ cups all-purpose flour: The foundation that holds everything together.
- 2 tsp baking soda: Gives the cookies a gentle lift and tenderness.
- 1 tsp salt: Balances the sweetness perfectly.
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon: Infuses cozy warmth throughout.
- ¼ tsp ground cloves: Adds a subtle hint of depth and earthiness.
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg: Complements the spices for a nuanced flavor profile.
- 4 cups old fashioned oatmeal: The star ingredient for that hearty, chewy texture we crave.
How to Make Lunch Lady Oatmeal Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350ºF and lining cookie sheets with parchment paper. This simple start ensures your cookies bake evenly and easily release from the sheets once done.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Shortening
In your stand mixer, beat the softened butter and Crisco shortening together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step incorporates air, creating a wonderful base for tender cookies.
Step 3: Add Sugars
Next, add both the granulated sugar and brown sugar to the creamed fats. Mix for about a minute so everything blends smoothly, giving the cookies their perfect sweetness and texture.
Step 4: Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla
One at a time, add in the eggs, making sure to mix well after each addition. Once the eggs are fully blended, pour in the vanilla extract to infuse that unforgettable warm aroma.
Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Gradually incorporate this into your wet mixture, mixing just until everything is combined but not overworked.
Step 6: Fold in the Oatmeal
Finally, add the old fashioned oatmeal. Stir it in gently but thoroughly, allowing all the oats to be evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Step 7: Scoop onto Cookie Sheets
Using a medium cookie scoop, portion the dough onto your prepared cookie sheets. Give each cookie enough space to spread a little while baking.
Step 8: Bake and Cool
Bake your cookies for 11 to 13 minutes. Keep an eye on them because overbaking will steal that soft, chewy texture. Once out of the oven, let them cool on the sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack to cool completely.
How to Serve Lunch Lady Oatmeal Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra touch, sprinkle a tiny pinch of cinnamon or a light drizzle of melted dark chocolate over cooled cookies. These simple garnishes enhance the spices already present and make the cookies look irresistible.
Side Dishes
Serve these oatmeal gems alongside a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of chai tea. The milk balances the spices and sweetness, while chai adds a complementary spice note, turning snack time into a cozy celebration.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to impress guests or add fun to your cookie platter, stack the cookies with a thin layer of homemade vanilla or cinnamon frosting sandwiched between each cookie. Another fun idea is to roll half the cookie in chopped nuts or raisins before baking for extra texture and flavor variation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
These cookies stay deliciously soft when stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. To keep that fresh-baked charm, place a slice of bread inside the container, which helps maintain moisture.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies in a sealed freezer bag for up to three months. To prevent them from sticking together, separate layers with parchment paper.
Reheating
To revive that freshly baked warmth, pop a cookie in the microwave for about 10 seconds or briefly warm in a 300ºF oven for 3 to 5 minutes. This simple step makes it feel like you just pulled them out of the oven.
FAQs
What type of oats should I use for the Lunch Lady Oatmeal Cookies Recipe?
Old fashioned oats are ideal because they provide a hearty texture and chewiness that instant or quick-cooking oats cannot replicate. Their larger flakes help give the cookie that classic feel.
Can I substitute the Crisco shortening with all butter?
While butter adds great flavor, shortening helps keep these cookies soft for longer. You can use all butter, but just know the texture may be a bit crisper and less tender over time.
Why is the spice mix important in this recipe?
The combination of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg creates a warm, inviting aroma and flavor that complements the oats and sugars perfectly. Leaving out the spices would make these cookies taste much plainer and less memorable.
How do I prevent these cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure your butter and shortening are softened, not melted, before mixing. Also, chilling the dough for 15-20 minutes before scooping can help control spreading during baking.
Are these cookies suitable for freezing dough or only baked cookies?
You can freeze both. For dough, scoop onto parchment-lined trays and freeze until solid, then transfer to bags. For baked cookies, freeze once fully cooled. This makes it easy to bake fresh batches later or enjoy cookies anytime instantly.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly special about the Lunch Lady Oatmeal Cookies Recipe that calls back to simpler times and the warmth of homemade treats. Whether you’re baking for your family, hosting friends, or just craving a comforting snack, these cookies bring joy and nostalgia into each bite. Give them a try—you might just catch yourself sneaking another before anyone else gets a chance!
Print
Lunch Lady Oatmeal Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Total Time: 23 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (approximately 24 cookies)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Classic and hearty Lunch Lady Oatmeal Cookies with a perfect blend of spices. These cookies combine the rich flavors of butter and shortening with brown sugar and cinnamon, delivering a chewy, spiced oatmeal treat that’s great for lunchboxes or snacks.
Ingredients
Fats & Sugars
- 14 Tbsp butter, softened
- 1¼ cups Crisco shortening
- 1 cup sugar
- 1¼ cups packed light brown sugar
Wet Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 3¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- 4 cups old fashioned oatmeal
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) and line cookie sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Shortening: In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, cream together the softened butter and Crisco shortening until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Sugars: Add the granulated sugar and packed light brown sugar to the creamed fats and mix for about 1 minute to incorporate well and add sweetness and moisture.
- Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each to ensure even distribution. Then add the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg separately; then add this mixture to the wet ingredients and mix just until combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Mix in Oatmeal: Add the old fashioned oatmeal to the dough and gently mix until well incorporated, giving the cookies their classic hearty texture.
- Scoop Dough: Using a medium cookie scoop, portion out dough evenly onto the prepared cookie sheets, spacing them to allow spreading during baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 11-13 minutes. Keep a close eye to avoid overbaking; the cookies should be golden and slightly soft in the center.
- Cool Cookies: Remove from oven and let the cookies cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes to set before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Do not overbake the cookies as they will continue to cook slightly on the hot baking sheet.
- Using a medium cookie scoop helps ensure uniform cookie size and even baking.
- Old fashioned oatmeal provides the best texture; quick oats will result in softer cookies.
- Butter and shortening together balance flavor and texture, but butter alone can be substituted for a richer taste.
