Orange Raisin Cookies - The Most Versatile Cookie in the Whole Wide World

This recipe is for my most favorite cookie in the whole wide world! It is easy, it is versatile, it is quick, it is  allergy friendly (or at least can easily be). With a couple of substitutions it can be dairy-free, egg-free, corn-free, nut-free, chocolate-free, gluten-free or whatever else free too probably.

The original recipe is from one of my favorite blogs called Attic24 and you can see it here but I have also included it below just for easy reference.

Orange Raisin Cookies (12 small)

100g all purpose flour (or gluten-free substitute)

½ tsp baking powder (or corn-free substitute)

50g soft, light brown sugar

50g soft butter (or dairy free margarine)



rind from ½ orange, finely grated

a couple of pinches of nutmeg (can be omitted)

80g raisins (or substitute, see below)

1 tablespoon fresh squeezed orange juice (or substitute, see below)


Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.


In a medium bowl combine flour, baking powder, brown sugar, orange rind and margarine. Rub all the ingredients together until they are crumbly.


Mix in the raisins and add the orange juice. Use a fork or your fingers to mix just until a dough forms. Do not work it too much, simply combine. (You might have to do just a touch more liquid if you cannot get it to stick together at all).


Using a spoon or your hands, place 12 cookies on a parchment lined baking sheet. Part of the charm of these cookies is their unevenness, so do not work the dough too much.


Bake in the middle of the oven for 13-15 minutes until light golden. Cool the cookies on a rack and store in an airtight container or freeze them.

Enjoy!

There are soooo many ways to change this cookie, here are a few suggestions: (the last three suggestions below I have not yet tried but I am convinced they would work great!)  

Orange Cranberry – Substitute dried sweetened cranberries for the raisins. This one is great for the holidays.

Orange Chocolate Chip – Substitute regular or dairy-free chocolate chips for the raisins. Love this one too because orange and chocolate go very well together.

Orange Carob Chip – Substitute carob chips for the raisins.

Cinnamon Raisin – Substitute cinnamon for the nutmeg and use milk for the liquid.

Macademia White Chocolate Chip – Substitute half white chocolate chips and half macademia nuts for the raisins. Omit the nutmeg if you want.

Toffee – substitute toffee bits for the raisins, omit the nutmeg and use milk or water for the liquid.