Oatmeal-Raisin Cookies (Cook's Illustrated)

This recipe is from Cook's Illustrated Magazine. It, along with the Chocolate Chip cookies, are now expected of me at all family functions. Best I've had. I also find that even, though the portions are somewhat large, it's better to cut them in half aftward than make them smaller, or else they dry out.

• Ready In: 1 hr 35 mins
• Serves: 18

Ingredients

• 1  cup unsalted butter, softened but still firm (1/2 pound)
• 1  cup light brown sugar
• 1  cup granulated sugar
• 2  eggs
• 1 1⁄2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon table salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon  fresh ground nutmeg
• 3  cups rolled oats
• 1 1⁄2 cups raisins (optional)

Directions

1. Adjust oven racks to low and middle positions; heat oven to 350 degrees. In bowl of electric mixer or by hand, beat butter until creamy. Add sugars; beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in eggs one at a time.
2. Mix flour, salt, baking powder, and nutmeg together, then stir them into butter-sugar mixture with wooden spoon or large rubber spatula. Stir in oats and optional raisins.
3. Form dough into sixteen to twenty 2-inch balls, placing each dough round onto one of two parchment paper–covered, large cookie sheets. Bake until cookie edges turn golden brown, 22 to 25 minutes. (Halfway during baking, turn cookie sheets from front to back and also switch them from top to bottom.) Slide cookies on parchment onto cooling rack. Let cool at least 30 minutes before serving.