Jumbo Raisin Cookies: The Perfect Snack for Busy Moms
When you’re a busy mom juggling a never-ending list of tasks, baking often falls low on the priority list. But when it comes to keeping the kids happily munching on something wholesome, nothing quite beats the simplicity of jumbo raisin cookies.
These cookies are a win-win: they’re quick to mix up, packed with chewy raisins for that perfect balance of sweet and fruity, and satisfying enough to keep the kids full between meals.
Here’s why you’ll love them, along with a few helpful baking tips and fun twists to make the recipe your own.
Why Jumbo Raisin Cookies Are a Busy Mom’s Best Friend
The beauty of jumbo raisin cookies is in their size and simplicity. Bigger cookies mean fewer batches to put in the oven, which means you’re in and out of the kitchen faster—always a win for those of us with packed schedules!
Raisins are also a great ingredient choice. Not only do they add natural sweetness, but they bring in a good dose of fiber, which helps keep the kids satisfied until the next meal. Plus, since these cookies keep well, you can bake up a big batch and have snacks ready for the week.
Whether it’s after-school hunger pangs or a little something sweet after dinner, jumbo raisin cookies are always ready to go. They’re soft and chewy but hearty enough that one cookie feels like a treat, saving you from multiple trips to the cookie jar!
Baking Tips for the Best Jumbo Raisin Cookies
Here are a few tips to ensure your cookies turn out perfect every time:
- Don’t Skip the Boiling Raisins Step: Boiling plumps them up, making them extra juicy and preventing them from drying out in the oven.
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Once you add the dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can make cookies tough instead of tender, so a light hand here goes a long way.
- Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough for about 30 minutes before baking helps the cookies hold their shape and keeps them from spreading too much. If you’re short on time, you can skip this step, but the slight chill really does make a difference.
- Use an Ice Cream Scoop: To get even jumbo-sized cookies, an ice cream scoop is your best friend. This ensures each cookie is the same size, helping them bake evenly.
- Bake Until Just Golden: These cookies are best when they’re soft and chewy, so bake until the edges are just golden brown, but the centers still look slightly underdone. They’ll continue to cook on the baking sheet after you take them out of the oven, achieving that perfect soft center.
Recipe Variations to Try
One of the best things about this jumbo raisin cookie recipe is how versatile it is. Here are a few variations to keep things interesting:
- Oatmeal Raisin Twist: For a bit of texture, add 1 cup of rolled oats to the batter. This adds a lovely chew and a hint of nutty flavor that goes perfectly with the raisins.
- Swap in Chocolate Chips: For kids who aren’t as keen on raisins, try mixing in some chocolate chips or even half chocolate chips, half raisins. This way, you’re giving them a treat with a touch of both!
- Nuts for Extra Crunch: Adding chopped walnuts or pecans brings a crunchy texture that works wonderfully with the soft chewiness of the cookie. It’s also a great way to sneak in some healthy fats.
- Mix in Dried Cranberries or Apricots: For a fun twist, swap raisins with dried cranberries or chopped dried apricots for a different fruity flavor. This variation is especially festive around the holidays!
Make-Ahead and Freezing Tips
If you’re looking to make life even easier, this cookie dough freezes well. Simply portion out the dough with an ice cream scoop onto a baking sheet, freeze until firm, and then transfer the dough balls to a freezer bag. When you’re ready to bake, pop them onto a baking sheet and bake a few minutes longer than usual—fresh cookies without the hassle!
Jumbo Raisin Cookies
48
large cookies15
minutes15
minutesThese Jumbo Raisin Cookies are the perfect, chewy snack for busy moms! Big, soft, and packed with sweet raisins, they’re quick to make and keep the kids satisfied. Try adding oats, nuts, or chocolate chips for fun twists.
Ingredients
2 c raisins
1 c water
1 c shortening or butter
2 c sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 c flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp salt
1.5 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp nutmeg
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Add water and raisins to a medium saucepan and boil for 5 minutes. Set aside to cool.
- Cream shortening until light and fluffy, then add sugar and beat thoroughly.
- Beat in eggs and vanilla.
- Mix in boiled raisins and water.
- Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices, then add to wet ingredients.
- If desired, add in 1 cup chopped nuts or chocolate chips, and mix well.
- Drop generous teaspoonfuls onto parchment line cookie sheets and bake in preheated over for 12 – 15 minutes until edges are golden brown but centers are still soft.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
With these jumbo raisin cookies, you’re giving your family a snack that’s homemade, delicious, and filling. Even better, they’re adaptable enough that you can make them your own every time. So go ahead, give this recipe a try, and watch them disappear in no time!
Looking for other cookie ideas? Check these out!
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- 15 Easy Christmas Cookies To Make With Kids
- Chewy Double Chocolate Cookies
- Classic Snickerdoodle Cookies: A Family Favorite
- Master Sugar Cookie Recipe: The Perfect Foundation for Countless Variations
- Classic Peanut Butter Cookies: A Family Favorite
- Best Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies: Cozy, Chewy, and Oh-So Good!
The instructions say to add the raisins and water, but above in the notes it says to drain the raisins well. Which is it?
ah, good catch, thank you for that! The original recipe specified “drain the raisins well” but when I made the recipe from my family’s cookbook I found them too dry, and that leaving the raisin water in made them just right. I corrected the notes. Thanks!