National Oatmeal Cookie Day
April 30th is National Oatmeal Cookie Day!
You can’t argue that oatmeal cookies are a timeless classic. There’s no confusing these cookies… with their distinct, chewy texture and hearty oatmeal flavor. With or without raisins, these cookies just taste wholesome and delish.
Every year on April 30th, oatmeal cookie lovers across the country celebrate National Oatmeal Cookie Day.
A LITTLE History of National Oatmeal Cookie day
As with many of our National Days, we have no idea who decided to create this one! But the history of the Oatmeal cookie is a rich one. Let’s take a little look:
About Oatmeal Cookies
Oatmeal cookies have a looooong history that we can trace back to Scotland in the 1800s. At first, they were simply called oatcakes and made with oatmeal, butter, and water.
These super simple cookies were a staple in Scottish households, as oatmeal was a cheap and readily available ingredient.
Oatmeal cookies made their way over to the United States in the late 1800s, and over time, the recipe was adapted to include other ingredients like sugar, flour, and raisins.
So who first published the Oatmeal Cookie Recipe?
Well, one early recipe for oatmeal cookies appeared in Fannie Merritt Farmer’s “Boston Cooking-School Cook Book” in 1896.
Another one popped up in the 1901 edition of “The Chicago Herald Cooking School” cookbook. However, it’s totally possible that oatmeal cookies were being made and enjoyed much earlier than these publications.
And now, oatmeal cookies are a classic you can find in bakeries, grocery stores, and homes all over, everywhere!
Fun Ideas for Celebrating National Oatmeal Cookie Day
Let’s be real, celebrating National Oatmeal Cookie Day is pretty easy thing to do, right? Let’s talk about it anyway.
Bake Your Own Oatmeal Cookies
One of the best ways to celebrate National Oatmeal Cookie Day, and a total no-brainer, is by baking your own cookies. It’s fun to do, especially if you have kids (big or small).
Making oatmeal cookies is easy and requires just a few basic ingredients. They are usually made with:
Making Oatmeal Cookies
- unsalted butter
- brown sugar
- granulated sugar
- eggs
- vanilla extract
- all-purpose flour
- baking soda
- cinnamon
- salt
- old-fashioned oats
- raisins (optional)
Check out a few of our favorite recipes below:
But why not mix it up? Try adding different ingredients like chocolate chips, dried cranberries, or chopped nuts for a unique twist on the classic recipe. You can also experiment with different types of oats, like quick oats or steel-cut oats, to see how they affect the texture of the cookies.
Visit Your Local Bakery
If you don’t have the time to bake your own cookies, just visit your local bakery. Many bakeries offer fresh-baked oatmeal cookies, and some may even have special deals or promotions on National Oatmeal Cookie Day. Call ahead if you want to make sure they know about this awesome day.
When visiting your local bakery, why not try their other oatmeal-based treats like oatmeal bars or oatmeal muffins? These baked delights are just as delicious as oatmeal cookies and can be a fun way to explore different flavors and textures.
Share Oatmeal Cookies with Friends and Family
National Oatmeal Cookie Day is also a great opportunity to share your love of oatmeal cookies with friends and family. Bake a batch of cookies and share them with your favorite people, or maybe even host a cookie exchange where everyone brings their favorite oatmeal cookie recipe to share.
I’ve done parties like this for holidays and it is a super fun way to celebrate.
Health Benefits of Oatmeal Cookies
While oatmeal cookies are a tasty, round treat, they can also offer some health benefits. Oats are a good source of fiber, which can help lower cholesterol levels and promote healthy digestion. Oatmeal cookies also contain complex carbohydrates, which provide sustained energy throughout the day.
But it’s important to remember that most oatmeal cookie recipes contain a LOT of sugar and butter, which can negate some of the health benefits. If you’re looking to make a healthier oatmeal cookie, consider using alternative sweeteners like honey or maple syrup and replacing some of the butter with applesauce or mashed banana.
When I bake with applesauce instead of oil, I really can never tell the difference.
National Oatmeal Cookie Day is definitely a fun day to put on your calendar! Not everyone in my family respects the oatmeal cookie, but I think there is something special about it. In fact, I would probably choose an Oatmeal Raisin cookie over a Chocolate Chip Cookie any day. Shhh…don’t tell my husband. LOL (Actually, he already knows.)
Happy National Oatmeal Cookie Day!
