Extra Easy Oatmeal Cookies

Step 1

You can use regular melted butter or browned butter for this cookie recipe.

Step 2

For regular melted butter, melt the butter in the microwave or on the stove, and then cool. When cool to the touch, use the melted butter in the recipe below.

Step 3

For browned butter (our favorite), melt the butter in a light-colored skillet over medium heat. Swirl the pan occasionally to be sure the butter is melting evenly. As it melts, the butter will begin to foam and the color will change from light yellow to golden, and finally to brown. This only takes a minute or two.

Step 4

When the browned butter smells nutty and the butter is a light golden brown, transfer the browned butter to a heatproof bowl to cool. When cool to the touch, use the browned butter in the recipe below.

Step 5

In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and cardamom together. Set aside.

Step 6

In a large bowl, whisk the sugars, whole egg, egg yolk, vanilla, and the melted butter or browned butter together.

Step 7

Switch to a large rubber spatula, and then add the flour mixture in 3 parts, stirring gently until they disappear. Fold in the oats, dried fruit, and nuts.

Step 8

Heat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (160C) and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

Step 9

Roll cookie dough into balls (about 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough) and place onto baking sheets. Leave 2 inches between the cookies to allow for spreading. (For larger cookies, use 3 to 4 tablespoons of dough and space them apart by 3 inches.) Gently press the tops of the cookies down a little to help them spread more evenly in the oven.

Step 10

Bake the cookies, one sheet at a time and rotate once during cooking, for 9 to 15 minutes. The cookies should be light golden brown around the edges but look almost wet in the middles. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 11

Store the baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature or up to a week in the refrigerator.