Description
These Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars combine the chewy heartiness of rolled oats with the sweet burst of raisins and a hint of warm cinnamon. Baked to golden perfection, these bars offer a delightful twist on classic oatmeal cookies, perfect for snacking or dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1 cup raisins (plump and juicy)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon until evenly combined. Set this mixture aside for later.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time to the creamed mixture, beating well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract to add depth of flavor.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overworking the batter.
- Fold in Oats, Raisins, and Walnuts: Carefully fold in the rolled oats, plump raisins, and chopped walnuts (if using), ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Prepare for Baking: Spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top with a spatula for uniform thickness.
- Bake: Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 22 to 25 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before slicing into bars for serving to ensure they set properly.
Notes
- You can substitute walnuts with pecans or omit nuts entirely for a nut-free version.
- For chewier bars, slightly underbake by a minute or two, but ensure the center is set.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Soak raisins in warm water for 10 minutes prior to folding in if you prefer them more plump and juicy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Oatmeal raisin bars, cookie bars, oatmeal cookies, snack bars, homemade dessert
