# What's wrong with my oatmeal cookies? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 16, 2013, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-oatmeal-cookies/655867 "2013-04-16T20:17:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-oatmeal-cookies/655867/1 "2013-04-16T20:17:49Z")
A couple of weeks ago I whipped up a batch of oatmeal raisin cookies using my standard recipe: 3/4 cup margarine 1 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 3/4 cups flour 2 cups rolled oats 2 eggs 1 cup raisins plus assorted small amounts of cinnamon, vanilla, baking soda and other miscellaneous stuff. I beat the margarine then followed the directions and working in the proper order, mixed the rest of the ingredients, put the cookies in a preheated 375 oven and baked. Even though the cookies browned nicely, they never really held together, although I ended up baking them a few minutes extra. Yesterday I tried again. This time the cookies didn’t even solidify. In fact, the dough puddled so badly that some of it oozed off the cookie sheet onto the oven floor. I wound up scraping everything into a bowl and packed it down into – I don’t know, an oatmeal cobbler or something. I’ve looked up other recipes and while they may differ a little in detail, they all seem to have about the same proportions of dry vs. wet ingredients. What’s going on? ---
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-oatmeal-cookies/655867/2 "2013-04-16T20:29:34Z")
Do you rinse your raisins? If so, do you then pat them dry? One time I made raisin oatmeal cookies and neglected to pat the raisins dry after rinsing them, and the batter came out really thin. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-oatmeal-cookies/655867/3 "2013-04-16T20:32:23Z")
What kind of margarine are you using? ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-oatmeal-cookies/655867/4 "2013-04-16T20:38:59Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > What kind of margarine are you using? The last time I made cookies that turned out crappy, my wife was kind enough to point out that I had used light butter, which specifically states on the package not to use for cooking or baking. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-oatmeal-cookies/655867/5 "2013-04-16T20:59:06Z")
> [@cjepson](#): > > Do you rinse your raisins? No, they come right out of the box. > [@kaylasdad99](#): > > What kind of margarine are you using? Imperial stick. Not light or whipped. In fact, the box even says “Good for baking!” ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-oatmeal-cookies/655867/6 "2013-04-16T21:40:21Z")
As the recipe is printed in the OP, I don’t see any leavening. What about baking soda, or possibly baking powder? (More likely the former) ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-oatmeal-cookies/655867/7 "2013-04-16T21:55:07Z")
From the OP: > [@](#): > > plus assorted small amounts of cinnamon, vanilla, \*\*baking soda \*\*and other miscellaneous stuff. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-oatmeal-cookies/655867/8 "2013-04-16T22:06:53Z")
[This standard Quaker Oats recipe](http://www.quakeroats.com/cooking-and-recipes/content/recipes/recipe-detail.aspx?recipeid=474) would have you use 3 cups of oats for the amount of butter/sugar/flour you have. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-oatmeal-cookies/655867/9 "2013-04-16T22:09:01Z")
Where they x-lg eggs instead large? Can you verify oven temp? Maybe it’s running low… ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-oatmeal-cookies/655867/10 "2013-04-16T22:26:40Z")
Is this a recipe you’ve used successfully many times? If so, I would suspect the over temperature is off, too. I make oatmeal raisin cookies quite frequently, and my proportions aren’t very different from yours (two cups seems like A LOT of oatmeal, though - do you find your cookies fairly dry usually?). ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-oatmeal-cookies/655867/11 "2013-04-16T22:36:57Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Is this a recipe you’ve used successfully many times? If so, I would suspect the over temperature is off, too. I make oatmeal raisin cookies quite frequently, and my proportions aren’t very different from yours (two cups seems like A LOT of oatmeal, though - do you find your cookies fairly dry usually?). According to Quaker Oats, it’s not enough oatmeal. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-oatmeal-cookies/655867/12 "2013-04-16T22:39:07Z")
Something similar happened to mine awhile back. I had forgotten to add the egg. Sure was a tasty crumble though. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-oatmeal-cookies/655867/13 "2013-04-16T22:55:18Z")
Is your oven temperature off? Mine is 25 degrees cooler than it indicates. I had a lot of pale biscuits before I realized what was wrong. Also, my cookies have 3 cups of oats and equal amounts of the two sugars. I’m on the wrong computer, so can’t check the recipe, but you can probably find it if you do a search, as I posted the recipe on another thread. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-oatmeal-cookies/655867/14 "2013-04-16T23:54:44Z")
Here it is: Dry ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose or baking flour 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp kosher salt 1 heaping tsp of Baking Spice (Penzeys: [www.penzeys.com](http://www.penzeys.com)) ½ tsp Vietnamese cinnamon (same source) OR substitute your own mix of cinnamon, cardamom, anise, nutmeg or cloves Whisk these all together in a large mixing bowl. Wet ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup brown sugar (dark or light) 2 large eggs 2 tsp vanilla (not imitation) Cream the wet ingredients with a hand mixer until light. By hand, stir the wet and dry ingredients until just well combined. It’s important not to overwork it. Add the following and mix in: 3 cups oats (not instant) 1 cup golden raisins (I also like to use dried apricots or other dried fruits) 1 cup walnut pieces Heat oven to 350F. Using a spoon or a cookie/ice cream scoop, form the dough into 2” diameter balls, taking care not to compress the dough too much. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet or on parchment paper on a sheet, allowing enough room for expansion (about nine cookies per sheet). With a fork, slightly flatten each ball. Bake for 10-13 minutes, or until golden. It’s important not to overcook these. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-oatmeal-cookies/655867/15 "2013-04-17T00:12:49Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > According to Quaker Oats, it’s not enough oatmeal. Yeah, they’re an unbiased source. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-oatmeal-cookies/655867/16 "2013-04-17T00:56:51Z")
How old is your baking soda? ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-oatmeal-cookies/655867/17 "2013-04-17T01:07:08Z")
I’m wondering if the flour was measured accurately, or if you sifted it and it wasn’t a sufficient amount. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-oatmeal-cookies/655867/18 "2013-04-17T01:17:38Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > As the recipe is printed in the OP, I don’t see any leavening. What about baking soda, or possibly baking powder? (More likely the former) I glossed over it, but the recipe calls for 1 tsp baking powder and 1/4 tsp baking soda. > [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > Where they x-lg eggs instead large? Large – or to be exact, 1/2 cup of egg substitute > [@](#): > > Can you verify oven temp? Maybe it’s running low.. I put two oven thermometers in there. With the oven fully warmed up one registers a shade over 375 and the other a shade under. Close enough for me.🙂 I have used this recipe before and it’s always worked okay. It’s just these last two batches that results have been bad. Funny thing, the dough seemed just fine raw, and it did start to crisp along the edges. But all my little teaspoonfuls oozed together and never cooked through. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-oatmeal-cookies/655867/19 "2013-04-17T01:26:00Z")
Poltergeist. Only explanation, then. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-oatmeal-cookies/655867/20 "2013-04-17T02:16:49Z")
I have to concur - poltergeist. I’ve used ancient baking soda with no problems. I’ve never sifted flour in my life and never had a problem. Are there any ingredients that you’ve recently purchased that you haven’t used before? Maybe you have a bad batch of something. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-oatmeal-cookies/655867.md?page=2)