Get ready to fall in love with the perfect sweet treat—this Chewy Oatmeal Lace Cookies Recipe is an absolute gem in the cookie world. These cookies combine a delightful chewy center with irresistibly crisp, caramelized golden edges, creating a texture contrast that is simply dreamy. They are incredibly simple to whip up, requiring just a handful of pantry staples, yet the flavor and texture are so luxurious you’ll want to make them again and again. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or a cozy night in, these chewy oatmeal lace cookies will quickly become a beloved favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Only a few straightforward ingredients come together to create magic in this Chewy Oatmeal Lace Cookies Recipe. Each ingredient plays a crucial role, from adding sweetness and chewiness to enhancing that perfect caramelized finish.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup or 113g): Brings rich flavor and helps achieve those perfectly golden edges.
- Light brown sugar (1 cup packed or 200g): Adds moisture and depth with its mild molasses notes, encouraging chewiness.
- Old fashioned oats (1 cup or 96g): Provide texture and hearty oat flavor that is classic for these cookies.
- All-purpose flour (1 Tbsp + 1 tsp or 12g): Just enough to bind the ingredients without sacrificing chewiness.
- Fine salt (1/2 tsp or 3g): Enhances sweetness and balances flavors perfectly.
- Large egg (1, room temperature): Adds structure and moisture to keep these cookies chewy.
- Vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste (1 tsp or 4g): Infuses the batter with warm, fragrant undertones.
How to Make Chewy Oatmeal Lace Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets
First things first, preheat your oven to 375ºF (190ºC). Line four large baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure an even bake. If you don’t have four sheets, just use as many as you have, baking in batches.
Step 2: Melt Butter and Brown Sugar
In a large frying pan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter with the brown sugar. Stir frequently to smooth out the mixture until no clumps remain. Don’t worry if it’s not fully combined—that will happen as you add the oats and flour.
Step 3: Mix in Dry Ingredients
Remove the pan from heat, then stir in the oats, flour, and salt. Make sure every oat is coated with the luscious buttery sugar mixture, creating the base for your chewy texture.
Step 4: Add Egg and Vanilla
Now stir in the room temperature egg and vanilla extract gently but completely until incorporated. The batter will be nice and thin—this is exactly what helps create those signature lacy cookies.
Step 5: Drop Batter Onto Baking Sheets
Use a teaspoon to drop dollops of the batter onto your lined sheets, spacing them about two inches apart to allow for spreading.
Step 6: Bake Until Golden
Bake two trays at once for 5 to 7 minutes. The ideal time hovers around 6 and a half minutes, but ovens vary. Look for lightly browned edges just starting to crisp, with a chewy center. For extra chewy cookies, pull them out a little sooner; for crispier edges, wait until those edges have a deep golden color.
Step 7: Shape While Warm
If your cookies spread unevenly, don’t fret. While still warm, use a large round cutter or glass to gently nudge each cookie into perfect circles. This simple step elevates the presentation wonderfully.
Step 8: Cool and Repeat
Let cookies cool on the baking sheets for 15 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely. Continue dropping batter and baking in batches until you’ve used it all.
How to Serve Chewy Oatmeal Lace Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies are breathtaking on their own, you can sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt after baking for a sophisticated salty-sweet finish. Alternatively, a light dusting of cinnamon sugar can add an extra cozy warmth.
Side Dishes
Pair these Chewy Oatmeal Lace Cookies with a cup of rich coffee, a creamy latte, or a glass of cold milk. They also make a delightful companion to vanilla ice cream for an easy dessert that feels decadent.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack cookies in little towers tied with rustic twine for a charming gift or party favor. Or sandwich them with a smear of chocolate ganache, Nutella, or peanut butter for an indulgent twist that’s sure to impress guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
These chewy oatmeal lace cookies stay fresh and chewy when stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. Make sure they are fully cooled before storing to avoid sogginess.
Freezing
To keep your batch longer, freeze baked cookies in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag for up to one month. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and retain that perfect texture.
Reheating
When ready to enjoy frozen cookies, simply let them thaw at room temperature or warm them briefly in a 300ºF oven for 3 to 5 minutes. This low heat refreshes their crisp-chewy magic without drying them out.
FAQs
Can I use quick oats instead of old fashioned oats?
While you can substitute quick oats, old fashioned oats give these cookies their signature texture and chew. Quick oats may result in a softer, less structured cookie.
Why is my cookie batter so thin?
The batter is meant to be thin and soupy—this allows the cookies to spread out beautifully and develop those delicate lacy edges you want in a lace cookie.
How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure your buttery sugar mixture cools slightly before adding the egg, and space your cookies at least two inches apart on the sheet. You can also chill the batter briefly if needed.
Can I add nuts or chocolate chips?
You can! Chopped nuts or mini chocolate chips can add extra flavor and texture, though they’ll change the classic lace cookie structure slightly.
Is it okay to use salted butter?
It’s best to stick with unsalted butter here so you can control the salt level precisely. Using salted butter might make the cookies taste a bit too salty.
Final Thoughts
Whipping up this Chewy Oatmeal Lace Cookies Recipe will quickly become one of your most treasured baking adventures. The combination of caramelized edges and chewy centers is truly irresistible, and the simple ingredient list means it’s easy and fun to make anytime you crave a sweet treat. I promise once you try these, they’ll hold a special place in your cookie rotation—so go ahead, bake a batch, and watch smiles light up around your kitchen!
Print
Chewy Oatmeal Lace Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Total Time: 46 minutes
- Yield: 60 cookies
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These chewy oatmeal lace cookies are a delightful treat featuring perfectly caramelized, crispy golden brown edges with a soft, chewy center. Easy to make and ideal for cookie lovers, they offer a wonderful balance of texture and sweetness, perfect for snacking or sharing.
Ingredients
Chewy Oatmeal Lace Cookies
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature (113g)
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar (200g)
- 1 cup old fashioned oats (96g)
- 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp all-purpose flour (12g)
- 1/2 tsp fine salt (3g)
- 1 large egg, room temperature (56g)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste (4g)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375ºF (190ºC) and line 4 large baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper. If you have fewer baking sheets, line as many as you have.
- Melt butter and sugar: In a large frying pan over medium heat, add the unsalted butter and packed brown sugar. Stir frequently until the butter is fully melted and the mixture is smooth with no clumps of brown sugar. It’s fine if the butter and sugar are not completely combined at this point. Remove the pan from heat.
- Add oats, flour, and salt: Stir in the old fashioned oats, all-purpose flour, and fine salt. Mix well until the oats are fully coated with the butter and brown sugar mixture.
- Incorporate egg and vanilla: Add in the large egg and vanilla extract or paste. Stir until fully incorporated. The batter will be rather thin and soupy, which is expected.
- Prepare for baking: Drop 1 teaspoon of cookie batter onto the prepared baking sheets for each cookie. Leave at least 2 inches of space between cookies to allow spreading during baking.
- Bake the cookies: Bake two trays at a time for 5 to 7 minutes. Six and a half minutes works well for a balance of chewy center and crispy edges, but oven times may vary. Pull out cookies earlier for chewier texture or wait for golden brown edges if you want crispier edges.
- Repeat baking batches: As soon as two trays finish baking, place the next trays in the oven. Keep a close eye on baking times as batter temperature and scoop size can affect how quickly cookies bake.
- Shape cookies if needed: If the cookies aren’t perfectly round immediately after baking, use a large circle cutter or glass to gently reshape the warm cookies while they are still pliable.
- Cool the cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 15 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
- Store properly: Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Alternatively, freeze baked cookies in an airtight container or freezer ziplock bag for up to 1 month.
Notes
- Make sure the butter and brown sugar mixture is smooth to ensure even texture in the cookies.
- Leave enough space between cookie drops as they will spread considerably during baking.
- Adjust baking time to your preferred cookie texture: less time for chewy, more time for crispier edges.
- You can shape the cookies immediately after baking while they are still warm for perfect circles.
- Use high-quality vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste for enhanced flavor.
- Cookies freeze well, making them a convenient make-ahead treat.
