Crispy & Buttery Iced Oatmeal Cookies Recipe You’ll Love

Soft, chewy, and utterly irresistible, these homemade iced oatmeal cookies strike the perfect balance between rustic comfort and sweet elegance.

Every baker’s dream comes to life with this classic iced oatmeal cookies recipe that promises a delightful crunch and melt-in-your-mouth texture.

The delicate vanilla glaze adds a pristine white finish that makes these cookies stand out on any dessert platter.

Rolled oats provide a hearty foundation, while the smooth icing creates a stunning contrast that beckons cookie lovers.

Simple ingredients transform into a nostalgic treat that connects generations of home bakers.

Each bite delivers a symphony of warmth and sweetness that feels like a culinary hug.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 27 minutes

Calories: 170 kcal

Servings: 25

What’s in Old Fashioned Iced Oatmeal Cookies

• Shortening: Creates tender, soft texture with rich mouthfeel and helps cookies hold shape.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel notes and extra moisture to enhance cookie softness.
• White Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create crisp cookie edges.

• Oats: Gives hearty texture and nutty flavor, choose quick or old-fashioned varieties for best results.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and helps bind cookie ingredients together.
• Cinnamon: Adds warm, comforting spice that complements oatmeal's earthy flavor.
• Nutmeg: Introduces subtle, sweet-spicy depth to enhance overall cookie complexity.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread evenly during baking.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies other flavor notes.

• Milk: Softens dough and helps ingredients blend smoothly.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces rich, aromatic sweetness to complement oatmeal's profile.
• Water: Adjusts dough consistency if needed for perfect texture.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, spreadable glaze that hardens into classic iced cookie finish.

Baking Tools for Old Fashioned Iced Cookies

• Mixing Bowl: Large bowl for combining ingredients smoothly.
• Electric Mixer: Helps cream shortening and sugars quickly and evenly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements for perfect cookie texture.
• Baking Sheets: Flat pans for evenly baking cookie dough.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Cooling Rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly without getting soggy.
• Whisk: For mixing glaze ingredients until smooth.
• Spatula: Helps fold oats into dough and scrape mixture from bowl.

How to Make Iced Oatmeal Cookies from Scratch

• Cookie Base Preparation

Mix together soft shortening with sugars until the mixture becomes light and airy, creating a smooth foundation for your delightful treats.

• Liquid and Dry Ingredient Fusion

Pour in water and vanilla, then gradually incorporate the dry components to form a cohesive cookie dough that promises rich flavor.

• Oatmeal Integration

Gently fold hearty rolled oats into the dough, ensuring an even distribution that will give these cookies their classic texture and rustic charm.

• Baking Magic

Arrange rounded spoonfuls of dough on clean baking sheets, then slide them into a preheated oven. Allow the cookies to transform into golden, crispy delights with slightly soft centers.

• Glaze Finishing

Once the cookies have cooled completely, create a smooth glaze and delicately dip the tops, letting excess drip away. Set them aside to allow the sweet coating to set and create a beautiful, glossy finish that elevates these traditional treats.

Tips to Improve Iced Oatmeal Cookie Texture

• Use a mix of quick and old-fashioned rolled oats for a more complex, nuanced cookie crunch that adds extra depth to each bite.
• Experiment with different flavored glazes like maple, cinnamon, or even a hint of orange zest to elevate the classic icing.
• Keep cookies crisp by storing them in an airtight container with a slice of bread, which helps maintain moisture and prevents hardening.
• Toss in chopped nuts, dried cranberries, or mini chocolate chips to transform the basic recipe into a personalized treat that suits your taste buds.
• Replace shortening with coconut oil for a slightly healthier version that still delivers the same nostalgic, soft cookie texture everyone loves.

Presenting Old Fashioned Iced Cookies Nicely

• Milk and Cookies Delight: Pair these classic oatmeal cookies with a cold glass of milk for a nostalgic treat that brings back childhood memories.
• Dessert Platter Perfection: Arrange cookies on a vintage platter with other classic cookies like chocolate chip or sugar cookies for a beautiful dessert spread that will impress guests.
• Afternoon Tea Companion: Serve these cookies alongside a hot cup of Earl Grey or chamomile tea for a delightful mid-afternoon snack that offers comfort and warmth.
• Gift-Worthy Packaging: Stack cookies in a mason jar or vintage tin, tie with a rustic ribbon, and create a homemade gift that shows love and care for friends and family.

Storage Tips for Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies

• Smart Cookie Storage: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, maintaining their delightful crunch and soft texture.
• Freezing Magic: Wrap individual cookies or entire batches in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Frozen cookies stay fresh for 3 months, ready to enjoy anytime.
• Make-Ahead Brilliance: Prepare cookie dough in advance and refrigerate for 2-3 days before baking. This technique allows flavors to develop and makes last-minute baking a breeze.
• Glaze Protection: Store glazed cookies in single layers separated by parchment paper to prevent sticking and preserve their beautiful decorative finish.

Irresistible Iced Oatmeal Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Grandma’s classic iced oatmeal cookies blend hearty rolled oats with sweet vanilla glaze. Crisp edges and chewy centers make these nostalgic treats perfect for sharing with family and friends.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups oats (quick cooking or old-fashioned)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup packed brown sugar (454 g)
• 0.75 cup shortening (170 g)
• 0.5 cup sugar (100 g)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 0.75 tsp cinnamon
• 0.25 tsp nutmeg
• 0.25 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 tbsps milk (60 ml)
• Water as needed
• 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted (226 g)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Cream shortening with granulated and brown sugars using an electric mixer until fluffy and pale, ensuring a light texture develops over 3-4 minutes.
2. Wet Mixture: Integrate room temperature water and vanilla extract into the creamed base, blending until completely homogeneous.
3. Dry Ingredients: Sift together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt, then gradually fold into the wet mixture, stirring until a consistent dough forms smoothly.
4. Dough Development: Gently incorporate rolled oats throughout the cookie dough, ensuring even distribution and uniform texture.
5. Baking Setup: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats for optimal cookie release.
6. Cookie Formation: Portion rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared sheets, positioning each dollop approximately 2 inches apart to allow spreading during baking.
7. Baking Process: Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes until edges transform to golden brown and centers remain slightly soft, indicating perfect doneness.
8. Cooling and Glazing: Remove cookies from oven and cool completely on wire racks, then create a smooth glaze by whisking powdered sugar with milk until glossy.
9. Finishing Touch: Dip cooled cookie tops into the prepared glaze, letting excess drip off, and place on wire rack to set for 20-30 minutes before serving.

Notes

• Achieve Creamy Texture: Cream shortening and sugars for 3-4 minutes to create a light, fluffy base that guarantees soft cookie consistency.
• Control Moisture Balance: Use room temperature water to help integrate ingredients smoothly and prevent dry, crumbly dough.
• Optimize Baking Performance: Space cookie dough 2 inches apart to ensure even heat circulation and prevent cookies from merging during baking.
• Perfect Glaze Technique: Allow cookies to cool completely before glazing to prevent melting and ensure a clean, smooth icing finish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 170
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg