If you’re looking for a nostalgic twist on a classic treat, these Pandan Gula Melaka Oat Cookies are the perfect bite for you! Each of this cookie is lightly crisp on the edges, chewy and melty (thanks to the chocolate!) in the centre and packed with that unmistakable notes of pandan and gula melaka. This Pandan Gula Melaka Oat Cookies are unapolegetically Southeast Asian, and will leave you wanting more!

Honestly, baking these cookies is an instant mood-lifter. It’s one of those recipes that fill your house with a warm and inviting aroma, and you will find yourself sneaking one (or two!) the moment they’re out of the oven.

I particularly like that each of these cookies is not overly sweet but still satisfying. Furthermore, the pandan adds a gentle, background aroma, while the gula melaka adds depth and richness. The best part about the gula melaka would be its caramel-like notes, and it’s so distinctively local!

While contemplating and experimenting whether to add the rolled oats, I find that adding it does add an amazing texture to the cookies. The rustic chew makes them perfect for tea time or a quick snack. I like to think of these Pandan Gula Melaka Oat Cookies as a cross between your classic oat cookies and a local kuih-inspired bite, familiar yet new in all the right ways.

The best part is that making these cookies is really easy and no mixer is needed! Furthermore, it’s small batch friendly and keeps well in an airtight container for a week and more.

I’ve included a video guide as well for your reference and as usual, feel free to ask away if you’ve any questions! Without further ado, the recipe.

Pandan Gula Melaka Oat Cookies Recipe
by Javier Tan October-12-2025

These Pandan Gula Melaka Oat Cookies are a delightful cross between the classic and Southeast Asian flavours, unapolegetically delicious!

Ingredients 

  • 1/2 Cup or 115g of Butter, Softened at room temp
  • 1/3 Cup or 90g of Grated / Granulated Gula Melaka (Brown sugar works fine too as a substitute, but won’t have the gula melaka notes!)
  • 3 Tbsp or 45g of White Sugar
  • 1 Large egg, approx 60g weigh inclusive of shell
  • 1 Tsp or 5ml of Vanilla Essence
  • 1 – 2 Tsps or 5 – 10ml of Pandan Extract
  • Approx 1 and 1/2 Cup or 120g Rolled Oats
  • 1 Cup or 120g of Plain Flour
  • 3/4 Tsp or 3g of Baking Powder
  • Approx 1 Cup or 160g of Dark Chocolate Chips

Instructions

  1. First, cream together softened butter, gula melaka and white sugar until soft and fluffy, approx 2 minutes.
  2. Then, whisk in the egg, followed by vanilla and pandan extract, making sure you achieve a single consistency.
  3. In a separate bowl ,mix together the rolled oats, plain flour, baking powder and dark chocolate chips before folding it into the batter.
  4. Portion using an ice cream scoop or tablespoonfuls, leaving 1 inch – 1.5 inch apart as these cookies spread slightly. You can round them gently with your giners as their shape will remain about the same during the baking process.
  5. Bake at 180C for 9 – 12 minutes until the edges are nicely golden brown.
  6. Serve and enjoy!

Details

  • Prep time: 30 mins
  • Cook time: 30 mins
  • Total time: 1 hour
  • Yield: Around 12 Pandan Gula Melaka Oatmeal Cookies

Notes:

  1. If you would like to be updated for more recipes which I strive to create to perfection for sharing and for free, do check out my Instagram, Facebook Page, or YouTube 🙂 Thank you so much for all of your support! Feel free to tag me or link back here!
  2. Stores well for at least a week in an airtight container, room temperature!
  3. Feel free to ask if you’ve further questions!

Enjoy!
– Bakeomaniac, Javier Tan