Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars

These Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars are a quick and easy way to enjoy your favorite oatmeal raisin cookies in bar form. With a chewy, soft texture, a hint of cinnamon, and the sweetness of raisins, they’re the perfect treat for any occasion!

Ingredients:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter (softened)
3/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup raisins (or more to taste)
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional, such as walnuts or pecans)

Instructions:

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal of the bars after baking.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. You can use an electric mixer or beat it by hand with a wooden spoon. This should take about 3-4 minutes.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and mix until fully incorporated.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt until well combined. Amish Peanut Butter Cream Pie
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.

Step 5: Add Oats, Raisins, and Nuts

Stir in the oats, raisins, and any optional chopped nuts. Mix until everything is evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Step 6: Transfer to Baking Pan

Spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared 9×13-inch baking pan, pressing it down slightly with a spatula to ensure the dough is evenly distributed.

Step 7: Bake

Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Be careful not to overbake, as you want them to stay chewy!

Step 8: Cool and Slice

Remove the bars from the oven and let them cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 10-15 minutes.
Once cooled, cut into squares or bars and serve.

Why You’ll Love Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars:

Chewy and Delicious: These bars have the perfect chewy texture, with just the right balance of oats and raisins.
Quick and Easy: No need to roll individual cookies—just spread the dough in a pan and bake!
Versatile: Feel free to add chocolate chips, dried cranberries, or coconut flakes to switch up the flavors. You can also leave out the nuts or substitute them with your favorite variety.
Great for Meal Prep: These bars store well in an airtight container for up to 5 days at room temperature, making them perfect for meal prep, lunchboxes, or a grab-and-go snack.

Storage Tips:

Room Temperature: Store the oatmeal raisin cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Refrigeration: For longer storage, you can refrigerate the bars for up to 1 week.
Freezing: If you want to make a large batch ahead of time, these bars freeze wonderfully. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or store them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

FAQs:

Q: Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?

Yes, but note that quick oats will create a slightly softer texture. Rolled oats provide more chewiness and a heartier texture, which is ideal for cookie bars.

Q: Can I substitute raisins with another dried fruit?

Absolutely! You can use dried cranberries, cherries, or even chopped dried apricots in place of raisins for a fun twist on this classic recipe.

Q: Can I make these bars without nuts?

Of course! The nuts are optional. If you don’t like nuts, simply omit them from the recipe. The bars will still be delicious.

Q: How can I make these bars gluten-free?

To make the bars gluten-free, use gluten-free oats and gluten-free all-purpose flour. Be sure to check that your baking soda is gluten-free, as well.