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A close-up of a stack of homemade rhubarb cookies, topped with white frosting, with a bite taken out of the top one.
Linda

Sweet & Tangy Rhubarb Oatmeal Cookies with Vanilla Glaze

These delightful rhubarb cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with the tart flavor of fresh rhubarb, perfectly balanced by a sweet vanilla glaze. A wonderful treat for spring!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 7 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 175

Ingredients
  

For the Rhubarb Oatmeal Cookies
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened, (2 sticks)
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh rhubarb finely diced
For the Vanilla Glaze
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1-2 tbsp milk (or heavy cream)
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Equipment

  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Stand mixer or hand mixer
  • Whisk
  • Rubber spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Baking Sheets
  • Parchment Paper
  • Wire Rack

Method
 

Prepare the Cookie Dough
  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, rolled oats, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon (if using). Set aside.
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer), cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
  5. Gently fold in the finely diced fresh rhubarb with a rubber spatula until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
  6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much and enhances flavor.
Bake the Cookies
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Scoop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. A cookie scoop works best for uniform size.
  3. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers are set. The cookies may still look a little soft in the middle.
  4. Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare the Vanilla Glaze
  1. While the cookies cool, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon of milk, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, add more milk 1/2 teaspoon at a time until desired drizzling consistency is reached.
  2. Once the cookies are completely cool, drizzle the vanilla glaze over each cookie. Allow the glaze to set for about 15-20 minutes before serving.

Notes

For the best flavor and texture, use fresh, firm rhubarb. If using frozen rhubarb, thaw it completely and pat it very dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The dough can also be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.