OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIE BARS
Chewy, wholesome, and packed with cozy cinnamon flavor—these bars are perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert!
Ingredients
- 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened (or vegan butter for dairy-free)
- 1 cup (200g) light brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs (or flax eggs: 2 tbsp ground flaxseed + 5 tbsp water)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour (or gluten-free 1:1 flour)
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp salt
- 3 cups (270g) old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup (150g) raisins
- ½ cup (60g) chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Prep:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line with parchment paper.
- If using flax eggs, mix flaxseed and water; let sit for 5 minutes to thicken.
- Make the Dough:
- In a large bowl, beat softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until creamy. Add eggs (or flax eggs) and vanilla; mix until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Gradually add to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in oats, raisins, and nuts (if using). The dough will be thick!
- Bake:
- Press dough evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until edges are golden and the center is just set (avoid overbaking for chewy bars!).
- Let cool completely in the pan (1-2 hours) before slicing into squares.
Tips
- Soften raisins: Plump raisins in warm water for 10 minutes, then drain and pat dry.
- Add-ins: Swap raisins for chocolate chips, dried cranberries, or shredded coconut.
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temp for 3 days, or freeze for up to 1 month.
Warm, cinnamon-spiced comfort in every bite! 🍪✨