Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars Recipe
Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars deliver everything you love about classic oatmeal raisin cookies—chewy oats, sweet plump raisins, and that irresistible hint of cinnamon—all baked into tidy, snackable squares. With a buttery, golden finish and a soft center, they’re the ultimate upgrade for your lunchbox, holiday tray, or coffee break treat. Whether you’re craving homey nostalgia or planning a simple bake for a crowd, Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars are your new go-to recipe for making hearts (and tastebuds) happy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars is that you probably already have most of these ingredients in your pantry, yet each one is essential to getting their chewy, bakery-style texture and warm flavor. Here’s how every component works together to create pure dessert bliss:
- Unsalted Butter: Softened butter brings richness and moisture, making the bars delectably tender.
- Packed Brown Sugar: Adds caramel depth that pairs perfectly with cinnamon and raisins.
- Granulated Sugar: Lends quick sweetness and a bit of structure to the bars.
- Eggs: Help bind everything together for that cohesive, cookie bar bite.
- Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the flavors with its familiar, comforting aroma.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides the necessary structure without making the bars dense.
- Baking Soda: Helps lift and tenderize, ensuring the bars are never too heavy.
- Ground Cinnamon: Brings warmth and a cozy complexity to each bite.
- Salt: Highlights all the other flavors, balancing sweetness.
- Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: Give the bars that chewy, hearty character everyone loves.
- Raisins: Sweet, juicy bursts that are the hallmark of this classic recipe.
How to Make Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F, which ensures even baking right from the start. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal—no more crumbling bars or sticky corners when it’s time to slice.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
Grab your largest mixing bowl and beat together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture turns light and fluffy. This isn’t just about mixing—it’s about incorporating air for that tender crumb in every Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bar.
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
Mix in the eggs one at a time, followed by the luscious vanilla extract. This step binds your dough, helps everything emulsify beautifully, and sets the stage for perfect, cohesive bars.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Mixing them separately first means your leaveners and spices get evenly distributed, so every bar comes out spiced and risen just right.
Step 5: Bring It All Together
Gradually add the dry mixture into the bowl with your wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. It’s perfectly fine if the batter looks a little thick at this stage—those oats are about to work their magic.
Step 6: Fold in Oats and Raisins
Stir in the rolled oats and raisins until evenly distributed. Watch how the mixture thickens and transforms into a hearty, spoonable dough bursting with texture and little pops of sweetness throughout.
Step 7: Spread and Bake
Scoop the dough into your prepared pan and smooth it out into an even layer with a spatula. Pop it in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean—your kitchen will be filled with the best cinnamon-infused aroma!
Step 8: Cool and Slice
Let the cookie bars cool completely in the pan to finish setting. Once cooled, cut into 20 squares and prepare yourself for applause because these are irresistible straight from the pan!
How to Serve Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars
Garnishes
Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars are naturally delicious, but a simple dusting of powdered sugar can make them sparkle on a platter. For extra indulgence, drizzle a little melted white chocolate over the top or add a few extra raisins or a pinch of flaky salt just before serving.
Side Dishes
Pair your Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars with a cold glass of milk for a nostalgic treat, or serve alongside fresh fruit and coffee for a light afternoon snack or brunch tray. They’re wonderful with vanilla ice cream for an easy dessert upgrade, too.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn your bars into a showstopper by stacking them in a rustic bakery-style pile or wrapping them individually with parchment and twine for adorable bake sale or lunchbox treats. For parties, cut them into bite-sized cubes and offer toothpicks for a fun, help-yourself dessert board.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature, where they’ll stay soft and chewy for up to five days. Stack with parchment or wax paper between layers to keep them from sticking together.
Freezing
Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars freeze beautifully! Wrap individual bars tightly or layer between parchment in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to three months, and thaw at room temperature as needed for a quick homemade treat.
Reheating
If you love that fresh-baked warmth, pop a bar in the microwave for 10–15 seconds. They’ll come out soft and just a little gooey—perfect for enjoying with your morning coffee or a scoop of ice cream.
FAQs
Can I substitute the raisins with something else?
Absolutely! If raisins aren’t your thing, swap them out for chocolate chips, dried cranberries, or even chopped nuts. Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars are wonderfully customizable to your tastes.
How do I make the bars extra chewy?
The best way is to slightly underbake them—take the bars out when the center still looks a bit soft. They’ll finish setting as they cool, delivering that perfect chewy texture.
What’s the difference between quick oats and old-fashioned rolled oats for this recipe?
Old-fashioned rolled oats give the bars a hearty, chewy bite and help them hold together better. Quick oats can make the bars softer and a bit cake-like, so stick with rolled oats for the classic Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars texture.
Can I double this recipe for a crowd?
Yes, you can easily double the recipe and bake it in two pans, or use a larger sheet pan. Just keep an eye on the baking time since thickness may vary—look for a golden top and clean toothpick.
Are Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars suitable for making ahead?
They’re actually even better after resting for a day! Make them ahead and store as directed, or get ahead by assembling the dough and refrigerating it until you’re ready to bake.
Final Thoughts
If you’re after a nostalgic, crowd-pleasing treat that comes together in a flash, you absolutely have to give Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars a try. They’re easy, versatile, and guaranteed to deliver smiles every time. So grab your ingredients and enjoy baking up a batch—you might just find them disappearing faster than you thought possible!
Print
Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 20 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars are a delicious twist on classic oatmeal cookies, baked into chewy bars loaded with oats and sweet raisins. Perfect for a quick and easy dessert or snack.
Ingredients
For the Cookie Bars:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup raisins
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare the pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Mix the wet ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing well.
- Combine the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture until combined.
- Add oats and raisins: Stir in the oats and raisins until evenly distributed.
- Bake: Spread the dough evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and cut: Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting into bars.
Notes
- For softer bars, slightly underbake and allow them to finish setting as they cool.
- You can substitute raisins with chocolate chips or dried cranberries for a variation.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
