Yesterday was a cloudy, rainy day at the beach. That usually means one of three things; 1. it’s movie day, 2. it’s time to break out a puzzle, or 3. we need to make something really delicious in the kitchen. You guessed it, number three was the clear winner! Come on, I’m a food blogger. It’s my job.
One of my favorite things to make on a rainy day is a nice big batch of cookies. But yesterday I was also craving some homemade pudding. So I decided, why not get the best of both worlds and make cookies AND pudding and combine them sort of like a parfait? I also just really like the name “cookie pudding”. It puts a smile on my face the same way chocolate and peanut butter does. It’s weird but there is just something comforting about cookies and pudding together, like I should be cuddled underneath a nice big fluffy blanket eating it. I know, you’re thinking the same thing, right??
Chocolate chip cookies are the usual favorite but I was in the mood for something with cinnamon, so oatmeal raisin cookies just sounded like the perfect choice. And due to the fact that oatmeal cookies have oats and raisins in them they can clearly be considered a breakfast food correct? So technically we can eat this cookie pudding for breakfast, lunch or as a dessert! It’s a win-win-win!
My go-to recipe for oatmeal cookies is the recipe right on the canister of Quaker Oats. Why mess with perfection? My vanilla pudding is quick and easy to make. It’s smooth and creamy with little specks of vanilla bean from the vanilla bean paste. But not to worry if you don’t have vanilla bean paste just substitute regular vanilla extract. I think you are going to love the creaminess of the pudding with the chewiness of the oatmeal raisin cookies. You may need to skip the nice big fluffy blanket because it’s summer but this is an awesome old-fashioned dessert that you need to treat yourself to! Enjoy! 
- Pudding:
- 2 1/2 cups half and half
- 1 tsp. vanilla bean paste
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1/8 tsp. salt
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 Tbsp. cornstarch
- 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
- Oatmeal Raisin Cookies:;
- 1/2 cup one stick unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar firmly packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg room temperature
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1 1/2 cups Quaker Oats quick or old-fashioned
- 3/4 cup raisins
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In a medium saucepan combine 2 cups half and half, vanilla bean paste, sugar, salt and cinnamon stick and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
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Combine cornstarch with remaining 1/2 cup half and half and whisk together until there are no more lumps.
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Add cornstarch mixture to saucepan and continue to cook for about 5 minutes until mixture begins to thicken, stirring often. Do not boil.
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Reduce heat to low and continue to cook for 5 more minutes.
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Remove cinnamon stick.
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Stir in butter.
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Pour mixture into a 1-quart dish covered with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, about 3 hours.
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Heat oven to 350 degrees.
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Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Beat butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar in a large bowl until creamy.
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Add egg and vanilla and continue to beat until well combined.
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In a medium bowl sift together flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt.
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Add flour mixture to butter mixture. Mix well.
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Add oats and raisins and stir until well combined.
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Drop by tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheet.
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Bake 10 minutes or until golden brown.
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Cool on wire racks.
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To assemble parfaits place 1 1/2 cookies, crumbled into bottom of glass, top with some pudding, then top with another 1 1/2 cookies. You will have extra cookies.
Ok, first of all… “cookie pudding” definitely puts a smile on my face too! Secondly, rainy days on the beach totally mean movie day and eating more to me, lol. And finally, your pictures are GORGEOUS! I seriously need some tips! Help Mary Anne! Great job with this recipe :)
Oh gosh Heather, you’re so sweet! Thanks so much! I love your photos and recipes too! The Tasty Food Photography E-book by Lindsay from Pinch of Yum was money well spent! Worth every penny! Check it out!
It has been extra rainy here in Michigan and it’s putting me in the baking mood (more than usual)! This dessert looks perfect for rainy days. That cookie dough looks good enough to eat straight from the bowl! :)
Thanks Jessica! Homemade cookies are just that great rainy day treat!
We often have foggy days here in Santa Cruz but no rain whatsoever . What a brilliant idea to combine pudding and cookies. In Germany you often get fruit and pudding.
Thanks Gerlinde! Hope you enjoy it if you try it!
Oh, rainy days make me feel like I can stay in and play hookie!! I have to say, during our dry Summer days, I do miss the rain. This sounds perfect, Mary Ann! Creamy and crunchy in one dessert = texture heaven! You know I love the vanilla beans in the pudding. Beautiful and delicious recipe! Thank you for this.
Thank you so much Traci! I love the texture of this cookie pudding too. Enjoy your weekend!
This looks like the perfect comforting treat for a rainy summer day. I love that you’ve combined two classics here! It’s like cookies and milk only way better!
Thanks Allie! Hope your summer is going great!
Wait wait…we make oatmeal cookies and then put them in pudding?? I am so so in for these :)
Oh yeah! Come on over!!
What a great idea! No needing to decide :) We’ve been having cooler weather here, as well, so baking is on, too.
I can’t wait to see what you bake!! It’s always sooo good!
OH! That pudding looks utterly decadent and creamy! And OMGosh that cookie batter looks so delicious! I would totally eat that straight out of the bowl ;) Thanks for sharing!
Anytime Kennedy! Comfort food in a cup!
Omg PLEASE give me one of these puddings right now.. I am salivating over the images Mary Ann! Why have I never thought to add cookies to a dessert like this before? Genius.
Thanks Thalia! Just a little dose of comfort food for a rainy day!
Oh.mah.gah, Mary Ann- I want to hug you for posting this! I am all goggley eyed over this cookie pudding! Like swoon-fest over here!!! I LOVE that you made these babies with oatmeal raisin cookies. The cocoa-allergy in me wants to give you more hugs for that! These are soooooooo getting pinned and made! ♡ Cheers!
Cheyanne, you are sooo sweet!! I am so glad you like them!
Absolutely gorgeous!! Love your blog!
Thanks so much! Enjoy the weekend!