Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars – Soft, Chewy, and Perfectly Nostalgic

The Classic Cookie Flavor You Love, Baked into a Sliceable, Shareable Bar

There’s something timeless about the combination of hearty oats, warm cinnamon, sweet raisins, and buttery richness. Whether you grew up with oatmeal cookies tucked into lunchboxes or warm from your grandmother’s oven, these Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars are guaranteed to bring those memories flooding back — with a modern twist: no scooping, chilling, or fussing.

Perfect for weekday treats, holiday cookie trays, after-school snacks, or a cozy dessert alongside a cup of tea, these cookie bars are easy to make, quick to bake, and absolutely irresistible.

Ingredients

These bars come together with pantry staples you probably already have:

For the Cookie Bars:

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon fine salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional but highly recommended for warmth and flavor)
1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1 cup packed brown sugar
½ cup granulated white sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups quick oats
1 cup raisins (golden or regular — your choice!)
½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional, but adds amazing crunch)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper (for easy removal) or lightly grease it with butter or non-stick spray. Set aside.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together:

1½ cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon

This dry mix gives your bars the right structure and ensures all the leavening ingredients are evenly distributed.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and white sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes. You can use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or a handheld electric mixer.

This step is crucial — creaming introduces air into the batter and helps your cookie bars rise and stay soft.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then mix in the vanilla extract.

The mixture should be smooth, creamy, and slightly glossy.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add your dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed or gently by hand with a spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing, as this can lead to dense or tough bars.

Step 6: Fold in the Oats, Raisins, and Nuts

Gently fold in the:

2 cups quick oats
1 cup raisins
½ cup chopped nuts (if using)

Make sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough. The oats give you that classic chewy texture, while raisins bring bursts of sweetness. Nuts add great contrast, but they’re optional.

Tip: If your raisins seem dry, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes, then drain and pat dry before adding. This keeps them plump and juicy after baking.

Step 7: Spread and Bake

Transfer the dough into your prepared 9×13-inch baking pan. Use a spatula to spread it out evenly, smoothing the top.

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25–30 minutes, or until:

The top is golden brown
The edges are set
A toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean (a few moist crumbs are okay — just not raw batter)

Want thicker bars? Use a 9×9-inch pan instead and increase baking time by about 5–10 minutes.

Step 8: Cool and Slice

Let the bars cool completely in the pan — this helps them firm up and slice cleanly.

Once cool, lift the bars out using the parchment paper (if used) and cut into squares or rectangles using a sharp knife.

Serving Suggestions

These Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars are versatile, portable, and crowd-pleasing. Try them:

Warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert
Packed in lunchboxes for a sweet surprise
Served with coffee or tea for a comforting mid-day treat
On a cookie platter with chocolate chip, peanut butter, and snickerdoodles for a bake sale or party

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

Room Temp: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days
Freezer-Friendly: Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap, then place in a zip-top freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temp or warm in the microwave for 10–15 seconds

These bars are perfect for holiday prep — bake and freeze a batch ahead of Thanksgiving or Christmas to reduce stress!

Tips & Variations

Not a fan of raisins? Use chocolate chips, dried cranberries, or even chopped dates
Go nut-free for allergy-friendly treats, or sub in sunflower or pumpkin seeds
Add shredded coconut or white chocolate for fun flavor twists
Use rolled oats instead of quick oats for a more rustic texture (increase bake time slightly)

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

One bowl (less cleanup!)
No chilling required — ready in under an hour
Great for meal prep, bake sales, or gifting
Warm, nostalgic flavors with a soft & chewy bite
Foolproof for beginners, impressive for guests

Final Thoughts

Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars take everything you love about the classic cookie — chewy oats, sweet raisins, cozy cinnamon — and make it even easier to bake and share. No scooping, no rolling, no waiting for dough to chill. Just mix, spread, bake, and enjoy. Amish Peanut Butter Cream Pie