Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
1 cup brown sugar

1 large egg
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 Cups old fashioned oats
1 Tablespoon cinnamon (trust me it gives it the most amazing sweet flavor without being like Whoa!)
2 tsp. baking soda

3/4 cup all purpose flour + 2 Tbs. more flour (bread flour can also be used and makes for a nice thick cookie)
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup raisins
Optional but recommended: 1 cup chopped nuts: pecans or walnuts give the best light crunch!

Directions

1. In a big bowl place the butter and brown sugar and cream with an electric mixer for 5 minutes until fluffy.
2. Add in the egg, vanilla, cinnamon, oats, optional salt, and baking soda and blend in with the mixer.
3. Now switch to using a spatula instead of the electric mixer and add in the flour making sure to only mix until incorporated or you could toughen up your cookie which is no bueno!
4. Cookies can be baked right away or chilled in the fridge for 2 hours-the next day for a more thicker cookie. Usually I can't wait that long so I accept my thinner yet still chewy cookies as they are!
5. Roll ping pong sized balls of dough onto your pan lined with foil with about 2 inches between them.
6. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 11-12 minutes. Cookies will look undercooked but they definitely set and make for a perfectly chewy bite.
7. Let cookies cool for 2 minutes then loosen them off the pan with a spatula or they may get stuck due to the brown sugar caramelizing.
8. Enjoy!