Name: Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 53 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups quick-cooking oats; 1 12 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup raisins; 3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature; 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar; 2 large eggs, room temperature; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon fine salt; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature; 1/2 tablespoons heavy cream, room temperature; 1 tablespoon maple syrup; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon maple extract (optional)

Chewy oatmeal raisin cookie bars bring sweet nostalgia to afternoon snack time.

Memories of grandma’s kitchen flood back with each soft, spiced bite.

Wholesome ingredients create a comforting treat that feels like a warm hug.

Pantry staples combine effortlessly into this simple, delightful dessert.

Rolled oats and plump raisins dance together in a harmonious blend of flavor and texture.

Baking these bars fills your kitchen with an irresistible aroma that beckons everyone closer.

One taste, and you’ll understand why this classic recipe never goes out of style.

Discover Quick Comfort Baking: Perfect for Busy Home Bakers

Grab-and-Go Convenience: These oatmeal raisin cookie bars are the ultimate time-saving treat that transforms traditional cookie-making into a simple, streamlined experience. Prepare the entire batch in one pan, eliminating the tedious process of individual cookie scooping and multiple baking rounds.

Family-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Packed with wholesome oats and sweet raisins, these bars appeal to both kids and adults, making them an ideal dessert for family gatherings, potlucks, or afternoon snack times. The soft, chewy texture ensures everyone will love each delicious bite.

Minimal Skill, Maximum Flavor: Even novice bakers can nail this recipe with basic mixing techniques and straightforward instructions. No complex techniques required – just simple whisking, beating, and pressing create a professional-looking dessert that tastes like it came from a gourmet bakery.

Customizable Comfort Treat: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping raisins for chocolate chips, adding nuts, or experimenting with different extracts in the maple frosting. This versatile recipe welcomes personal creativity while maintaining its delightful core flavor profile.

Main Dry Ingredients:

Flour: Provides structure and base for the cookie bars, all-purpose works best.
Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and become soft, make sure it's fresh.
Cinnamon: Adds warm, sweet spice flavor, ground cinnamon recommended.
Salt: Enhances overall flavor, balances sweetness.

Wet Ingredients:

Butter: Adds richness and creates tender texture, unsalted preferred.
Brown Sugar: Provides deep sweetness and moisture, light or dark both work.
Eggs: Bind ingredients and add structure, room temperature ideal.
Vanilla Extract: Boosts overall flavor complexity, pure vanilla preferred.

Mix-in Ingredients:

Oats: Provides chewy texture and hearty flavor, old-fashioned rolled oats recommended.
Raisins: Adds natural sweetness and soft texture, golden or dark raisins work.

Frosting Ingredients:

Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, sweet frosting base, sifted for best results.
Butter: Provides creamy base for frosting, softened at room temperature.
Maple Syrup: Adds deep, rich sweetness, pure maple syrup recommended.
Heavy Cream: Helps create smooth frosting consistency.
Maple Extract: Optional intense maple flavor boost.
Cinnamon: Adds warm spice to frosting, ground cinnamon works.

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Station

Get your oven warmed up to 350°F.

Grab a 9×9-inch pan and give it a light spray with baking spray.

Line the pan with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over for easy removal later.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Whisk together flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl.

Set this mixture aside for now.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, use a mixer to blend butter and brown sugar until the mixture looks light and fluffy.

This should take about 2-3 minutes.

Scrape down the sides of the bowl to make sure everything gets mixed perfectly.

Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients

Crack in the eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each one.

Pour in the vanilla extract and mix well.

Step 5: Combine Dough

Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients.

Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.

Gently fold in:

Rolled oats
Raisins

The dough will feel thick and a bit sticky – that’s exactly right!

Step 6: Prepare for Baking

Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan.

For extra raisin love, sprinkle a few more on top.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes.

Look for golden edges as your sign of deliciousness.

Step 8: Cool Down

Let the bars rest in the pan for 5-10 minutes.

Then use the parchment paper to lift them onto a cooling rack.

Step 9: Whip Up Maple Frosting

Beat butter until smooth and creamy.

Gradually mix in:

Powdered sugar
Maple syrup
Heavy cream
Ground cinnamon
Maple extract (optional)

Continue mixing until the frosting is silky smooth.

Step 10: Frost and Serve

Spread the maple frosting evenly over the cooled bars.

Slice into squares and get ready to enjoy a sweet treat that’ll make everyone smile!

Microwave butter in 5-second intervals to reach room temperature without melting, ensuring a smooth and creamy base for your cookie bars.
Soak raisins in warm water or rum for 10 minutes before adding to the dough, making them plumper and more flavorful while preventing them from burning during baking.
Don't overmix the dough; mix ingredients just until combined to maintain a tender and moist texture that melts in your mouth.
Swap all-purpose flour with a 1: 1 gluten-free flour blend to make these delicious bars accessible for those with gluten sensitivities.
Reduce brown sugar by 2 tablespoons if you prefer less sweet treats, or substitute with coconut sugar for a deeper caramel-like flavor profile.

Store leftover oatmeal raisin cookie bars in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Place wax paper between layers to prevent sticking.
Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for 2-3 months for best quality and taste.
Remove frozen bars from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving to maintain texture.
Warm slightly in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes to restore softness and enhance the cookie's original flavor.

Savor Maple Magic: Warm Spiced Chai Latte Pairing
Brew a smooth, spicy chai latte with hints of cardamom and ginger to complement the oatmeal raisin cookie bars' sweet cinnamon notes. The warm spices will dance perfectly with the maple frosting's rich undertones.
Craft Creamy Contrast: Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
Top the cookie bars with a scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream for a delightful temperature and texture contrast. The cold, smooth vanilla will beautifully balance the warm, chewy oatmeal bars.
Create Cozy Comfort: Caramel Apple Cider
Mix hot apple cider with a splash of caramel syrup to enhance the cookie bars' sweet and spicy profile. The fruity, warming drink will provide a comforting companion to the dessert's hearty texture.
Explore Nutty Companion: Roasted Almond Milk
Pour chilled roasted almond milk alongside the bars to introduce a subtle nutty flavor that echoes the oats' wholesome character. This dairy-free option offers a light, refreshing counterpoint to the dense, sweet treat.

Oatmeal Raisin Bar Flavor Twists

Gluten-Free Oatmeal Bars: Replace wheat flour with gluten-free flour blend, ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free. Perfect for those with wheat sensitivities.
Vegan Raisin Cookie Bars: Substitute butter with coconut oil, eggs with flax eggs, and use plant-based maple syrup for frosting. Creates a compassionate, dairy-free treat.
Chocolate Chip Alternative: Swap raisins with dark chocolate chips or mixed nuts for a different flavor profile. Adds rich, indulgent texture to the classic recipe.
Low-Sugar Version: Use monk fruit sweetener instead of brown sugar, reduce overall sugar content, and incorporate stevia for natural sweetness. Great for diabetic-friendly options.

FAQs

Can I use quick oats instead of old-fashioned oats?

Quick oats can work, but they’ll change the texture. Old-fashioned oats provide more chewiness and a better bite to the cookie bars. If using quick oats, expect a slightly softer and less textured result.

Is it possible to make these bars gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure to use gluten-free certified oats to ensure the entire recipe is gluten-free. The texture might be slightly different, but the flavor will remain delicious.

How can I prevent the raisins from sinking to the bottom?

Toss the raisins in a little flour before adding them to the batter. This light coating helps distribute them more evenly throughout the cookie bars and prevents them from sinking during baking.

Can I skip the maple frosting?

Absolutely! The cookie bars are delicious on their own. If you prefer a less sweet version, you can omit the frosting completely or dust the bars with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar instead.

James Walker

Lead Recipe Developer & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Southern Cuisine & Farm-to-Table Cooking, Recipe Development & Testing, Culinary Education & Instruction

Education

School: Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations

Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern culinary techniques, kitchen operations, and farm-to-table practices.

James didn’t learn cooking from a TV show, he learned it from busy kitchens, family gatherings, and long afternoons spent testing recipes the hard way.
After training at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, he brought his love for real, down-to-earth food to every dish he makes.
At Dining At Home, James loves building recipes that feel familiar but still have something special, like adding a twist to a classic or making a slow Sunday dinner feel brand new.
When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll probably find him swapping garden tips at the farmers’ market or teaching his daughter how to flip pancakes without a mess (almost).