These easy Oatmeal Raisin Bars are thick and chewy with the perfect balance of crisp exterior and buttery soft center.
If you’re craving a delectable treat that combines the perfect balance of crispness and chewiness, look no further than these mouthwatering Oatmeal Raisin Bars. Bursting with warm spices, plump raisins, and a rich buttery flavor, these cookie bars are a timeless classic that will satisfy any sweet tooth.
Why This Recipe Works
- The moisture in the dark and light brown sugar helps create a chewy, soft center.
- The salted butter levels out the sweetness and adds a rich buttery flavor.
- The warm spiced flavors of the cinnamon and nutmeg perfectly balance the sweetness of the raisins.
- Using vanilla adds an extra depth of flavor.
How could anyone resist a freshly baked cookie bar, especially with a glass of ice-cold milk? These oatmeal raisin bars are buttery, soft-baked oat bars that are bursting with plump, juicy raisins!
Ingredient Notes
- All-Purpose/Plain Flour: Use regular all-purpose flour for this recipe. It can be found in the baking aisle of any grocery store.
- Salt: Regular table salt works perfectly fine for this recipe.
- Baking Powder: Ensure your baking powder is fresh to achieve optimal rise and texture.
- Baking Soda/Bicarbonate of Soda: Ensure your baking soda is not expired for effective leavening.
- Butter: Unsalted butter is recommended to have better control over the saltiness, but salted butter can be used if it’s all you have.
- Light-Brown Sugar: Opt for light-brown sugar to add a subtle caramel flavor to the bars.
- Dark Brown Sugar: Dark brown sugar provides a richer, deeper flavor. If unavailable, you can use an equal amount of light-brown sugar.
- Granulated Sugar: Regular granulated sugar is suitable for this recipe.
- Eggs: Use large eggs at room temperature for better incorporation into the batter.
- Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract adds a delightful aroma and enhances the overall flavor.
- Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon provides warm and comforting notes. Look for it in the spice aisle.
- Nutmeg: Ground nutmeg adds a hint of warmth and earthiness. It can be found in the spice section.
- Rolled Oats: Use old-fashioned rolled oats for the best texture in these bars.
- Raisins: Sweet and juicy raisins provide bursts of natural sweetness. Feel free to substitute them with dried cranberries or chopped dates.
Which Oats Are Best
Oatmeal takes center stage in every oatmeal cookie recipe, yet the varieties and names of oats vary across countries. I’ve incorporated two types of oats commonly found in the United States in this particular recipe. Firstly, American old-fashioned oats, also known as jumbo porridge oats internationally, add a delightful chewiness and a nutty texture reminiscent of a granola bar. Secondly, American quick-cook oats, also referred to as porridge oats or rolled oats worldwide, yield a slightly less textured cookie while still delivering exceptional results. It’s important to note that instant oats should be avoided regardless of your location, as they won’t provide the desired outcome.
Step By Step Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan, ensuring all sides are coated to prevent sticking.
Sift together 2½ cups of all-purpose/plain flour, ½ teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1 teaspoon of baking soda/bicarbonate of soda into a large mixing bowl.
In another large mixing bowl, beat 1⅓ cups of softened butter, 1 cup of packed light-brown sugar, ½ cup of packed dark brown sugar, and ½ cup of granulated sugar until fluffy and well combined.
Add 2 large eggs, one at a time, to the butter-sugar mixture, beating well after each addition. Then, stir in 1½ teaspoons of vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg until evenly incorporated.
Gradually mix in the flour mixture until just combined, ensuring not to overmix the batter.
Stir in 2 cups of rolled oats by hand, followed by 1 cup of raisins, distributing them evenly throughout the dough.
Mix into the dough by hand until combined.
Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan, using a spatula to smooth the top.
Bake for approximately 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, gently shake the pan. If the center jiggles, continue baking and check every 5 minutes until there is no longer any movement.
Once baked, remove from the oven and let the bars cool for 10 minutes before cutting into squares or rectangles.
These Oatmeal Raisin Bars are best enjoyed warm, but they are equally delightful when cooled.
Erren’s Top Tips
- Read the recipe thoroughly: Familiarize yourself with the recipe and its instructions before you begin. This will help you understand the process and avoid any surprises along the way.
- Use accurate measurements: Baking is a science, so measuring the ingredients accurately is crucial. Level off the flour with a straight edge, and use measuring cups and spoons for precise amounts.
- Soften the butter properly: Softened butter should be at room temperature for easy creaming with the sugars. Take the butter out of the refrigerator beforehand, but avoid microwaving it, as it may melt unevenly.
- Cream the butter and sugars well: Creaming the softened ones until fluffy and well combined helps create a light and tender texture in the bars. Beat them together until the mixture becomes light and pale.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients: When incorporating the dry ingredients, such as flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda, into the butter mixture, do so gradually. This ensures even distribution and prevents overmixing.
- Mix the dough gently: Once you’ve added the dry ingredients, mix the dough just until combined. Overmixing can result in tough bars, so stop mixing as soon as the ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Incorporate oats and raisins by hand: When adding the rolled oats and raisins, switch to a spatula or wooden spoon and fold them into the dough by hand. This helps prevent overmixing and ensures the raisins are evenly distributed.
- Preheat the oven properly: Make sure to preheat the oven to the specified temperature before baking the bars. This ensures they bake evenly and achieve the desired texture.
- Check for doneness: Give the pan a gentle shake after the recommended baking time. If the center of the bars still jiggles, continue baking and check every few minutes until there is no longer any movement. This helps avoid underbaking.
- Let the bars cool before cutting: Allow them to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before cutting them into squares or rectangles. This allows them to set and makes slicing easier.
FAQs
No, instant or quick-cooking oats have a different texture and will not provide the desired results. Stick to traditional rolled oats for the best outcome.
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with dried cranberries, chopped dates, or even currants for different flavor variations.
While butter offers the best flavor and texture, you can use margarine as a substitute. Keep in mind that the taste and consistency may be slightly different.
Storing and Freezing Instructions ❄
- At Room Temperature: These cookie bars will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- In The Fridge: Keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an airtight container.
- In The Freezer: These cookie bars are perfect for freezing, wrapped in plastic wrap, and kept in a freezer-safe container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
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Let’s Make Oatmeal Raisin Bars
Ingredients
- 2½ cups all-purpose/plain flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda/bicarbonate of soda
- 1⅓ cups butter softened
- 1 cup packed light-brown sugar
- ½ cup packed dark brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup raisins
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F/190C.
- Grease and flour an 9×13 inch baking pan
- Sift the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder together into a large mixing bowl.
- In a large mixing bowl. Beat the butter, brown sugar, dark brown sugar, and granulated sugar in until fluffy.
- Mix in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Mix in the flour mixture and mix until combined.
- Stir in the oats by hand, followed by the raisins.
- Spread dough evenly into the pan.
- Spread the dough into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, give the pan a little shake. If it jiggles in the middle, put the pan back in and try again every 5 minutes until there is no longer any jiggle.
- Remove from the oven and let cool 10 minutes before cutting.
- Best served warm, but great cooled as well.
Tips + Notes
- To ensure accurate measurements, level off the flour in the measuring cup with a straight edge.
- Softening the butter at room temperature allows for easier creaming with the sugars.
- Do not overmix the batter once the flour is added to avoid tough bars.
- For extra flavor, lightly toast the rolled oats in a dry skillet before adding them to the batter.
- To prevent the raisins from sinking to the bottom, toss them in a tablespoon of flour before incorporating them into the dough.
Nutrition Information:
Update Notes: This recipe was originally posted in 2016, but was republished in 2023 with new photos, ingredient notes, and step-by-step instructions.
Cheryl B says
Really fit what I had a taste for!!! Thanks so much for sharing your recipe. After reading all the comments, I decided to spread the batter just a little thinner through the middle of the pan and it worked great! The bars were perfectly done in 35 min. YUM!
A few alterations:
–I only had dark brown sugar, so had to use all dark and no light. Still turned out delicious.
–I soaked the raisins in 1 T vanilla extract for about 10 min (could soak longer if time). Yum.
–Added 1 cup walnut pieces…just cuz I wanted that taste in there too…lol.
–Let them cool in the pan til cool, then whipped up a glaze to drizzle over the bars, not too much just a thin drizzle. Mixed a few spoonfuls of powdered sugar with enough vanilla extract to make a thick consistency, then thinned it with just a bit of milk to get a drizzle consistency. Oooo…nice to add just a bit of vanilla sweetness on top. 🙂
Erren Hart says
Hi Cheryl,
I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed the oatmeal cookie bars and found the recipe to be a good fit for your taste buds! It’s always great when people can make a recipe their own with a few creative changes.
Your adjustments sound delicious:
Using dark brown sugar instead of light is an interesting touch. Dark brown sugar has more molasses, which can make the bars richer and deeper in flavor.
Soaking the raisins in vanilla extract is a fantastic idea. It adds another layer of flavor and also plumps up the raisins for a juicier bite.
Adding walnut pieces is a great way to add some crunch and nuttiness to the bars. Nuts always pair well with oatmeal.
The vanilla glaze you made sounds like the perfect finishing touch to add a little extra sweetness and flavor.
Thank you so much for sharing your alterations! I’m sure others who read the comments will appreciate your tips for tweaking the recipe. Happy baking!
Patrice Wilkins says
We had a family picnic and I made these bars as one of the desserts..
They were so yummy and chewy..
Erren Hart says
Hi Patrice, Hearing that you enjoyed the recipe makes all the hard work worthwhile. Thank you for sharing your positive experience.
Carrie Bear says
This is so good. I used old fashioned oats and they are chewy delicious
Erren Hart says
I’m glad you enjoyed the oatmeal bars! Using old fashioned oats adds a nice chewy texture to the bars. It’s great to hear that you liked them. Thanks for sharing your feedback!
Darlene says
I love this recipe! I’m going to make some to take to the beach also/ for my Birthday 🥳
I am addicted- lol
Erren Hart says
Thank you so much for your comment! I’m really glad you enjoyed the recipe and plan to make it again for your birthday and beach trip. It’s always great to find a recipe that becomes a favorite, and I’m happy that this one has become addictive for you! I hope you continue to enjoy making and sharing these oatmeal raisin bars.
Erren Hart says
Your positive feedback means the world to me. I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe!