Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars
Ingredients
• 1 cup raisins
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 2 cups quick oats
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1¼ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp maple extract
• ½ tsp fine salt
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1¼ cups unsalted butter, softened
Optional Glaze:
• 1½ cups powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp heavy cream
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
Directions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease or line a baking pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add eggs, maple syrup, and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
4. In another bowl, combine oats, flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and maple extract.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until combined.
6. Fold in the raisins evenly.
7. Spread the dough into the prepared pan, smoothing the top.
8. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden brown and set in the center.
9. Allow to cool before cutting into bars.
Optional Glaze
Mix powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled bars for a sweet finishing touch.
If you're looking to enjoy a comforting homemade treat, these oatmeal raisin cookie bars are a fantastic choice. I've found that using quick oats gives the bars a lovely texture—soft yet with a slight chewiness that holds the raisins nicely. When I bake them, the aroma of cinnamon and vanilla fills the kitchen, which makes waiting for the bake time much easier! For those who like a touch of extra sweetness, the optional glaze made with powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract adds a smooth, creamy finish once drizzled over the cooled bars. I often double the glaze recipe to ensure every bar is adequately coated. A tip from my experience: be sure not to overbake the bars. Baking for 25 to 30 minutes at 350°F usually results in a golden-brown top and a moist center. Overbaking can dry them out, so keep an eye on them starting at 25 minutes. Another variation I enjoy is mixing in chopped nuts, like walnuts or pecans, for added crunch and flavor. This also makes the bars more filling and perfect for a quick snack on-the-go. Overall, these bars are simple to prepare and use common pantry ingredients, making them a great option for a last-minute dessert or packed lunch treat. They're a crowd-pleaser that combines the natural sweetness of raisins with the warm flavors of cinnamon and maple—definitely a recipe to keep on hand!
These were amazing! Thanks for sharing. Next time I might try cutting the butter and use unsweetened applesauce as a substitute.