This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy.
Raisin Filled Cookies have a slightly crisp cinnamon outside and are chewy and gooey on the inside. A must try if you are a raisin fan!
Featured with this recipe
These Old-Fashioned Raisin Filled Cookies have quickly become a favorite of my dad’s. My mom made them again the other day and I stole a plate full plus the recipe so I could share them with all of you. Luckily, I still ended up with a few to take a picture because I couldn’t stop eating them on the way home.
These cookies are soft and chewy, with a sweet raisin filling that kind of reminds me of eating fig newtons (minus the figs, of course). My mom got this recipe from a good friend while serving a mission at a camp. Her friend was famous around the camp for these yummy treats! All the other missionaries loved when she would whip up a batch. This recipe has been in their family for generations and is truly an old fashioned cookie recipe. These soft cookies make especially good Christmas cookies!
Ingredients in Raisin-Filled Cookies
- White sugar
- Butter or Shortening
- Eggs
- Flour
- Sour cream
- Pure vanilla extract
- Baking soda
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Raisins
- Sugar
- Brown sugar
- Lemon juice
- Nutmeg
Making The Cookies
You can do some additions or substitutions to the filling. If you really don’t like raisins you can do nuts or chocolate chips instead. If you do nuts I would suggest walnuts or pecans with the raisin mixture.
If you do not want to roll out the dough, you can use your hands to roll out tablespoon sized balls and flatten into rounds. Put down one round on prepared baking sheet, add filling in the center, then top with another round and seal around the edges with finger tips. I like to roll the dough and use a round cookie cutter because they look so much nicer that way.
Some people like to use a fork to press in the seams around the outside of the cookie, but it isn’t necessary. I think it looks better without pressing and keeps the texture of the cookies soft and fluffy.
For less mess line your cookie sheet with parchment paper. This also helps keep the bottoms from over cooking.
Tips for Baking with Raisins
Raisins sometimes get a bad rap, but they are healthy, full of iron and vitamins, and delicious! They are especially delicious in these Raisin Filled Cookies. Here are some tips for baking with raisins:
- For extra plump raisins in cookies, bread, rolls, etc. you can place them in hot water, microwave for a couple of minutes, then soak for about ten minutes. After that, they’re ready to use!
- Toss raisins in a bit of the recipe flour (not extra flour, which can make your batter heavy) which will help keep them from sinking to the bottom of the pan when baking.
- If your raisins are stuck together, put them in a colander and rinse with warm water, separating them with your fingers.
- Other dried fruit like dates, dried cranberries, cherries, or prunes can be substituted measure-for-measure for raisins.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you would like your raisins to be extra plump, you can place them hot water and microwave them for a few minutes, and then soak them for about ten more minutes after that in the hot water.
Remember to store them in an airtight container after baking. This will prolong their life and keep them nice and soft.
According to the USDA, homemade cookies can be stored at room temperature two to three weeks or two months in the refrigerator. Cookies will also retain their quality when stored in the freezer for eight to 12 months.
Read more: 33+ Easy Dessert Ideas
More Recipes With Raisins
I know not everyone is crazy about raisins, I personally love them. But even in these recipes those raisin haters might come around! Try raisins in these delicious recipes and give those sweet little bites another chance:
Raisin Filled Cookies
Ingredients
For the cookie dough:
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup shortening
- 3 eggs
- 5½ cups flour
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the raisin filling:
- 8 ounces raisins
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- dash of lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1½ cups water
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 5 tablespoons flour
Instructions
For the raisin filling:
- Place raisins, sugars, lemon juice and nutmeg in a medium saucepan.
- Cover the ingredients with water and bring to a boil in a medium saucepan.
- Then stir in melted butter and 5 tablespoons of flour to thicken for about 1 minute.
- Once thick, remove mixture from heat and set aside to cool.
For the cookie dough:
- Preheat oven to 400℉.
- Cream together the sugar, shortening, and eggs.
- Add remaining ingredients to create a dough. Roll out cookie dough on a lightly floured surface about 1/6" thick and cut out circles.
- Place circles on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a baking mat. Spoon 1-2 teaspoons of raisin filling into the center of the circle.
- Top with another circle cookie, no need to seal the edges.
- Sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on top (optional) and bake for 10 minutes, or until light brown in color.
- Cool completely on a wire rack.
Very good recipe turned out wonderful
These are my Grandmother’s favorite cookies!
I LOVE raisins and just had to make these cookies. They’re SO SO good. Even my hubby who doesn’t like raisins (on their own) enjoyed the cookie. YUM.
What a great idea, loved the stuffed part! Adds a good flavor
My whole family loved these cookies! I had never seen a filled shortbread quite like this before and I am so glad I gave it a try!
I have some lovely dried blueberries and sweet cherries and strawberries. Do you think they would translate well into these cookies?
I’m confident the cherries would turn out great because I’ve baked with them before. I haven’t baked with dried blueberries or strawberries, so I’m not so sure if they would work as well. Thank you for asking. If you end up trying it, please share how they turn out with us.
I sometimes make with a merichino cherry filling (for my son who loves cherries). They are delicious and also freeze well.
Oh wow! My husbands grandfather (96!) will absolutely LOVE these, as will the rest of our family. Do you happen to know or think they fill freeze okay? Thank you for this recipe!
You can freeze these cookies. Place them in an airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag. They should keep for up to 3 months. I hope your grandfather enjoys them!
They freeze beautifully!
can you tell me how much a cup of shortening is in grams or mil.
also the same for the raisins how many grams is 1 lb. package raisins?
I honestly have no idea– your best bet is looking for an online conversion chart for these items.
Thank you for asking! 1 cup of shortening = 205 grams. 1 lb of raisins = 454 grams.
Yum! Thank you for the nice recipe and have a great weekend!
I have been looking for a recipe that my MIL used to make that my hubby tried to duplicate using dates.. he remembers a very white cookie that is baked with dates. My mom used to do date filled cookies but assemble the cookies after and her cookies were much darker using brown sugar. This may be the recipe!!