Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars sliced up on parchment paper
Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars

Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars

Recipe by David Turner
Not Yet Reviewed

If you love oatmeal raisin cookies but wish they were even softer and chewier, these oatmeal cookie bars are for you. And, as an added bonus, they’re much faster to pull off. Packed with raisins for natural sweetness and brown sugar and molasses for rich, caramelized flavor, they're the perfect lunchbox treat for kids and adults alike. 

Prep
10 mins
Bake
25 to 30 mins
Total
40 mins
Yield
one 8" square pan
Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars sliced up on parchment on a cooling rack - select to zoom
Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars sliced up on parchment on a cooling rack - select to zoom
Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars made up to look like a gift - select to zoom
The ingredients of Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars - select to zoom
Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars sliced up on parchment paper - select to zoom
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Instructions

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  1. To make the oatmeal cookie bars: Preheat the oven to 350°F with a rack in the center. Line an 8" square pan with a parchment sling and lightly grease. 

  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, butter, and molasses until well combined. (A dough whisk is a helpful tool here.) 

  3. Add the egg and vanilla and whisk until well combined. 

  4. Add the flour, oats, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt; switch to a flexible spatula and mix until combined and no dry streaks remain. 

  5. Add the raisins; stir until well distributed. 

  6. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and spread it into an even layer. (A small offset spatula is a helpful tool here.) 

  7. Bake the oatmeal cookie bars for 25 to 30 minutes, or until evenly browned, set in the center, or a digital thermometer inserted into the center reads 205°F.

  8. Remove the bars from the oven. Let them cool slightly in the pan before using the parchment to transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. (The bars can be made 2 days in advance; store airtight at room temperature.) 

  9. To make the glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar and 2 teaspoons water to form a thick, shiny mixture. Add additional water, if needed, in 1/2-teaspoon increments until the mixture resembles the consistency of honey and easily drizzles off the whisk. 

  10. Drizzle or pipe the glaze onto the bars. Allow the glaze to set briefly (about 5 to 10 minutes) before slicing.  

  11. Storage information: Store leftover oatmeal cookie bars airtight at room temperature for up to 3 days. Freeze for longer storage. 

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