Cookie Stance- Jonathan Byrnes

UNPOPULAR OPINION: Oatmeal Raisin Cookies are One of the Best Cookies.

    I have to take the unpopular opinion when it comes to cookies. Many people would probably say the classic chocolate chip cookie, a snickerdoodle, or a sugar cookie, etc as their favorite, but why is it that oatmeal raisin cookies get so much resentment? Is it because it is proclaimed to be the "healthy" cookie? Just because it has raisin in it doesn't mean it's healthy. Sorry to break it to you, but white chocolate macadamia cookies are healthy too. These cookies have macadamia nuts in them which are rich in vitamins, minerals, fibers, antioxidants, and healthy fats. Just because it has some white chocolate chunks in it, doesn't exclude the fact the macadamia nuts are good for you. So why is it that people can love white chocolate macadamia cookies but despise oatmeal raisin?

    People most likely learned to dislike oatmeal raisin cookies from a young age. Growing up, we're all taught that raisins are healthy and fun snacks to eat, which is where many people carried their dislike for raisins into oatmeal raisin cookies. Being told that raisins are healthy snacks as a kid ruins your idea of what a cookie should be (super unhealthy and full of sweets). But that doesn't mean oatmeal raisin cookies deserve all this bad publicity. It's as if oatmeal raisin cookies are the scapegoats of all cookies. If a cookie doesn't taste good, then it is "at least it isn't as bad as an oatmeal raisin cookie". Your dissatisfaction with oatmeal raisin cookies may come from the taste and texture of the cookies. It is so easy to eat a bad oatmeal raisin cookie that you never want to eat one again. Trust me I've had plenty of awful oatmeal raisin cookies in my life. Then raisins play a big factor because of their texture. You may have had a dry and awful tasting old raisin in your cookie, but don't let that be the image of what an oatmeal raisin cookie is.

    A true oatmeal raisin cookie is beyond delicious and I would go as far as saying it is better than the classic boring chocolate chip cookie. You know an oatmeal raisin cookie is real and good if it is soft and chewy, and the raisins are fresh and plump and chewy and full of flavor. The flavor from the raisins combing with everything put into the cookie makes perfect sense together and on your first bite, there is an explosion of flavor. The best oatmeal raisin cookie I ever had from the Levain Bakery in the Upper East Side, New York City. It was a freshly made cookie, warm to the touch with just the right amount of chewiness and raisins. All of their cookies were amazing, including the chocolate chip walnut and dark chocolate chocolate chip but the oatmeal raisin just had something special about it making it slightly better than the rest. So, don't knock it until your try a real oatmeal raisin cookie.