Name: Iced Oatmeal Cookies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 24 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 24 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats, divided; 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon fine sea salt; 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon; ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg; ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened; ¾ cup packed light brown sugar; ½ cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg, at room temperature; 1 large egg yolk, at room temperature; 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 1 ½ cups powdered sugar; 2 to 3 tablespoons milk, plus more as needed; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; Pinch of fine sea salt; 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup, optional

Absolutely dreamy. These Iced Oatmeal Cookies are everything you love about the classic bakery treat: caramel-y edges, a soft-chewy center, and that delicate vanilla glaze that shatters with the first bite.

They are wonderfully simple to make, boast cozy cinnamon spice, and deliver big nostalgic flavor with pantry staples. Perfect for bake sales, holiday cookie trays, or an everyday coffee companion.

This is my go-to cookie when I want maximum payoff with minimal effort. One bowl for the dough, a quick chill to keep them thick and crinkly, then a swoop through a glossy glaze. Cookie bliss.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Chewy-meets-crispy texture: Nubbly oats give a tender center with beautifully crisp edges.
No-fuss vanilla glaze: Whisks up in 2 minutes and sets into that iconic crinkle top.
Pantry-friendly: Uses everyday ingredients you likely have on hand already.
Make-ahead friendly: Dough chills well and baked cookies freeze like a dream.

Key Ingredients for Iced Oatmeal Cookies

See recipe card below for full list of measurements, ingredients, and instructions.

Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats

Rolled oats bring that signature nubby bite and hearty flavor. Pulse some of them briefly to mimic the texture of the store-bought classic while keeping plenty of chewy pieces. Choose old-fashioned oats for the best texture. Quick oats will work in a pinch but make the cookies a bit softer. Avoid steel-cut oats since they stay too firm.

Brown Sugar

Light brown sugar adds moisture and butterscotch notes that keep the centers soft. Pack it firmly into the cup for accurate measuring. You can use dark brown sugar for deeper molasses flavor and a slightly chewier cookie. If you only have granulated sugar, the cookies will spread more and taste less complex.

Unsalted Butter

Butter gives richness and helps those gorgeous crinkly edges form. Use room-temperature butter that gives slightly when pressed. Salted butter works if that is what you have, just reduce added salt by about ¼ teaspoon. For dairy-free, use a high-quality plant butter that is formulated for baking.

Warm Spices

Cinnamon and a whisper of nutmeg cozy up the oats without overpowering them. Freshly ground spices make a noticeable difference. Try cardamom or allspice for a twist. If you prefer a plain vanilla version, simply omit the spices.

Powdered Sugar Glaze

A simple mix of powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla creates the classic crackled top that sets to a delicate shell. Add just enough milk to achieve a thick but pourable consistency. Swap in maple syrup for part of the milk for a maple glaze, or use lemon juice for a bright citrus finish.

Instructions for Iced Oatmeal Cookies

See recipe card below for full list of measurements, ingredients, and instructions.

Prep the Pans and Heat the Oven

Heat your oven to 350 F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. This keeps the cookies from sticking and encourages even browning.

Pulse the Oats

Add 1 cup of the oats to a food processor and pulse 8 to 10 times until coarsely ground with some floury bits and some texture remaining. Leave the remaining 1 cup oats whole. This combo gives the ideal craggy bite.

Make the Dough

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla until smooth, scraping the bowl. In a separate bowl whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix the dry ingredients into the butter mixture on low just until a few flour streaks remain, then fold in both the pulsed and whole oats. Do not overmix.

Chill for Best Shape

Cover and chill the dough for 20 to 30 minutes. Chilling firms the butter so the cookies spread less and bake up thick with those classic cracks.

Scoop and Bake

Scoop dough into 2 tablespoon portions, spacing 2 inches apart on the prepared sheets. Roll lightly into balls and gently press the tops to flatten to about ¾ inch tall. Bake 11 to 13 minutes, rotating pans halfway, until edges are set and lightly golden and centers still look a touch soft. They will firm up as they cool.

Cool Completely

Let cookies rest on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool fully. The glaze adheres best to cooled cookies.

Mix the Glaze

Whisk powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, vanilla, and a pinch of salt until very thick but pourable. If using, whisk in maple syrup and reduce the milk slightly. Add a few drops more milk if needed. The glaze should ribbon slowly off the whisk.

Dip and Set

Flip each cooled cookie top-side down and lightly press it into the glaze, letting excess drip off before returning to the rack. The glaze will settle into a pretty crackle pattern. Let set 20 to 30 minutes until dry to the touch.

Recipe Variations

Maple-Glazed Oatmeal Cookies

Swap 1 tablespoon of the milk in the glaze with pure maple syrup and add a pinch of cinnamon. The maple accent plays perfectly with the toasty oats.

Gluten-Free Friendly

Use a certified gluten-free rolled oat and substitute a cup-for-cup gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Chill the dough on the longer end and bake until edges are just set to avoid dryness.

Raisin or Chocolate Add-Ins

Fold in ¾ cup raisins for a classic twist or ¾ cup chocolate chips for extra indulgence. Add-ins may reduce spread slightly, so press the dough mounds a touch more before baking.

Spice It Up

Trade the nutmeg for cardamom or add ¼ teaspoon ground ginger for a warmer, bakery-style profile. A tiny grind of black pepper adds subtle depth.

Dairy-Free Option

Use plant-based butter sticks formulated for baking and a splash of unsweetened almond milk in the glaze. The texture stays crisp-chewy and the glaze sets beautifully.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these cookies with hot coffee, a chai latte, or cold milk. For a festive platter, pair with fresh berries and a handful of toasted pecans. Dust a few with cinnamon or add a light drizzle of extra glaze for a bakery-style finish.

Storage and Reheating

Store glazed cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 to 4 days, separating layers with parchment to protect the glaze. To refresh crispness, warm on a parchment-lined sheet at 300 F for 3 to 4 minutes, then cool. Freeze baked cookies, glazed or unglazed, for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature. You can also freeze scooped dough balls for 2 months; bake from frozen at 350 F, adding 1 to 2 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Iced Oatmeal Cookies (FAQ)

Q: Can I use quick oats instead of old-fashioned rolled oats?

A: Yes. Quick oats will work, but the cookies will be a bit softer and less nubby. For best texture, pulse half the quick oats just a few times and keep the rest whole.

Q: Why did my cookies spread too much?

A: Warm butter or overmixing can cause excess spread. Make sure the butter is just softened, chill the dough 20 to 30 minutes, and measure flour accurately. Lining the pan with parchment also helps.

Q: Do I have to chill the dough?

A: Chilling is highly recommended. It firms the butter, reduces spread, and helps develop that crinkly top. Even 20 minutes makes a noticeable difference.

Q: How do I get the glaze to set with that classic crackle?

A: Keep the glaze thick and dip only the tops. Excess should drip off in a slow ribbon. Let the cookies sit on a rack until dry to the touch, about 20 to 30 minutes.

Ready to bake a batch of pure nostalgia? These Iced Oatmeal Cookies deliver cozy spice, perfect texture, and a shiny vanilla crown every time. Give them a try and leave a comment or rating to share how they turned out in your kitchen.