Okay, so listen up! If you’re anything like me, sometimes you just NEED a chewy, comforting cookie, but who has the time to scoop out dozens of individual cookies? Not me on a Tuesday afternoon, that’s for sure! That’s where these amazing **Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars** come in. Seriously, they are my go-to when I need a sweet treat without the fuss. They’re packed with all that classic oatmeal raisin goodness – you know, that perfect blend of soft chewiness, sweet raisins, and warm spice – but in a super-easy bar form. My mom always made these when I was a kid, and now they’re a staple in my kitchen too. They’re so simple, ridiculously delicious, and honestly, they disappear faster than I can make them!
Why You’ll Love These Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars
Let me tell you why these Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars are about to become your new favorite thing. They hit all the right notes without any of the usual cookie hassle. Seriously, prepare to fall in love!
- They’re ridiculously easy! No scooping, no chilling, just mix and spread. Perfect for when that cookie craving hits *now*.
- All that classic flavor. You get that warm, comforting taste of traditional oatmeal raisin cookies, but way less work.
- Perfectly chewy texture. They’re soft and chewy in the middle with slightly crisp edges. Pure cookie bar heaven!
- Great for sharing (or not!). Cut them into big squares, little squares, whatever you want! They’re ideal for parties, lunchboxes, or just hiding in a container for yourself. 😉
Gathering Your Ingredients for Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars
Alright, time to round up the goodies needed for these magical Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars! Nothing fancy here, just good old-fashioned pantry staples. Make sure your butter is nice and soft – this is key for that creamy base! And for the brown sugar, you gotta pack it in there good and tight when you measure. Trust me on that one!
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 1 1/2 cups raisins
How to Prepare Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars
Okay, let’s get this dough mixed up and into the oven! This is where the magic really happens. It’s all pretty straightforward, but following these steps will make sure you get those perfectly chewy, golden-brown Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars every single time. Don’t rush it, and you’ll be rewarded!
Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars
First things first, get your oven preheated to 375°F (190°C). While that’s warming up, grab your trusty 9×13 inch baking pan – the bigger the better for nice bars! Give it a good greasing and flouring so your bars slide out easily later. Trust me, nothing’s worse than a bar that sticks!
Now, into a big bowl goes your softened butter and packed brown sugar. Cream these together with a mixer (or a wooden spoon and some elbow grease!) until it’s light and fluffy. This is important for the texture, so don’t skip this step! Next, crack in those eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Stir in that lovely vanilla extract too – it really brings out the flavor.
In a separate bowl (a medium one is fine!), whisk together your flour, baking soda, and salt. Give it a good mix to make sure everything is evenly distributed. Now, gradually add this dry mixture to your wet ingredients. Mix it *just* until everything is combined. You’ll still see a few streaks of flour, and that’s okay! Overmixing is the enemy of tender cookie bars.
Finally, stir in your rolled oats and those plump raisins. Get them mixed in evenly throughout the dough. It might look a little thick, but that’s exactly what you want!
Baking Your Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars
Now for the fun part – getting these into the oven! Take that glorious dough and spread it evenly into your prepared baking pan. You can use a spatula or even damp hands to get it nice and smooth. Make sure it goes all the way to the edges.
Pop the pan into your preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to be golden brown and the center to look set. To check for doneness, stick a toothpick into the middle – it should come out clean, maybe with a few moist crumbs attached. If it comes out with wet batter, give it a few more minutes.
Once they’re done, take them out of the oven and resist the urge to cut right away! This is crucial for clean bars. Let them cool *completely* in the pan on a wire rack. I know, it’s hard, but trust me, it’s worth the wait for perfectly formed bars!
Equipment Needed for Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars
Okay, to whip up these fantastic Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars, you don’t need anything super fancy. Just your basic kitchen gear! You’ll definitely want a couple of good-sized mixing bowls, one for your wet ingredients and one for the dry. A whisk is handy for the dry stuff, and either a hand mixer or a sturdy wooden spoon for creaming that butter and sugar. And of course, your trusty 9×13 inch baking pan! Oh, and don’t forget your measuring cups and spoons – gotta be precise!
Tips for Making the Best Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars
Want to make sure your Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars turn out absolutely perfect every single time? Here are a few little tricks I’ve picked up along the way that make a big difference. They’re simple, but they really help!
- Don’t overmix! I mentioned this before, but it’s so important I’m saying it again! Once you add the flour mixture, mix *just* until everything is combined. Overmixing can make your bars tough, and nobody wants that!
- Room temperature ingredients are your friend. Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temp before you start. This helps everything cream together smoothly and creates a better texture for your Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars.
- Be patient with the cooling! I know the smell is incredible, but letting the bars cool completely in the pan is key for cutting nice, clean squares. Warm bars will just crumble and be messy. Trust me, the wait is worth it!
Frequently Asked Questions About Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars
Got questions about these Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars? You’re not alone! Here are some common things people ask, and my go-to answers to help you out.
Q: Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?
A: You *can*, but I really recommend sticking with rolled oats for the best texture in these bars. Quick oats can make them a little gummy. If you absolutely have to use quick oats, maybe reduce the amount slightly.
Q: What if I don’t like raisins? Can I use something else?
A: Absolutely! Feel free to swap the raisins for chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet, or dark!), dried cranberries, or even chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans. These are your cookie bars, make ’em how you like ’em!
Q: How long do these Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars last?
A: Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they usually stay fresh and chewy for about 3-4 days. If you want them to last longer, you can pop them in the fridge or even freeze them!
Q: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
A: Yes! You can make the dough, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and store it in the fridge for a day or two before pressing it into the pan and baking. Just let it sit out for a few minutes to soften slightly before spreading.
Estimated Nutritional Information
Just so you have an idea, I’ve put together some estimated nutritional info for these Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars. Keep in mind, these are just rough numbers and can change depending on the exact ingredients you use or how big you cut your bars! But it gives you a general picture of what you’re getting with each delicious square.
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Storage and Reheating for Your Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars
Okay, so you’ve somehow managed to not eat the entire pan of Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars in one sitting (impressive!). Now, how do you keep them fresh for later? Easy peasy! Once they are *completely* cooled (seriously, wait!), cut them into squares and stash them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay nice and chewy for about 3-4 days. If you want to warm one up and get that fresh-baked feel back, just pop it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Perfection!
Enjoy Your Homemade Treat
Alright, there you have it! My super easy, totally delicious recipe for Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars. I really hope you give these a try – they are such a crowd-pleaser and so darn simple to make. When you bake them, snap a picture and tag me or leave a comment below to let me know how they turned out! I absolutely love hearing from you and seeing your kitchen creations. Happy baking!
Print
Amazing Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars Calories 250
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Chewy and delicious oatmeal raisin cookie bars for a quick treat.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 1 1/2 cups raisins
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Stir in the rolled oats and raisins.
- Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let cool completely in the pan before cutting into bars.
Notes
- Do not overmix the dough.
- Cool completely before cutting for clean bars.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: Oatmeal, Raisin, Cookie Bars, Dessert, Baking