Oatmeal Bar are so soft and chewy, and they’re packed with raisins, chocolate chips, and more! Dessert doesn’t get any easier or more delicious than these easy cookie bars!
Be sure to try my famous Oatmeal Raisin Cookies too!!
Some days I’m craving a classic comfort cookie, but just can’t decide which one to make. I mean, do I want oatmeal raisin cookies? chocolate chip cookies? Maybe both? Choosing what kind of cookie to bake is a serious decision, my friends—it shouldn’t be taken lightly. So, on the days I can’t decide, I make oatmeal cookie bars because they combine both of the above cookies into one. And they’ve got nuts in there too, for good measure!
Not convinced yet? No problem. I will fill you in on the delicious details. Perfectly soft and golden brown, these chewy cookie bars are also packed with sweet raisins, chocolate chips and crunchy walnuts. One bite and you’re sure to get hooked! One more reason why homemade cookie bars are the best? You don’t have to shape each individual cookie before baking. That means less time working and more time eating cookies!!
Are these healthy?
These cookies are relatively good for you. I mean, they’re still a dessert. But as far as dessert goes, this cookie bar recipe is great because it’s packed with lots of added fiber. Oatmeal, for example, is high in fiber and also contains a number of vitamins and important minerals. Adding raisins gives you a bit of iron, and the walnuts have some great healthy fats.
And you can certainly make certain adjustments — like omitting the chocolate chips — that make these cookie bars even healthier.
what you will need
In terms of cookie ingredients, there is nothing out of the ordinary here. Here’s what you need to round up before you start:
- Butter: Make sure this is at room temperature so it incorporates smoothly into the batter.
- Sugar: I like to use light brown sugar for its subtle caramel notes, but I also use some granulated sugar.
- eggs: The binder for these cookie bars.
- vanilla extract: For a touch of extra sweetness.
- Salt: I prefer kosher salt, but regular iodized salt is fine too.
- Cinammon: A pinch of ground cinnamon adds a homey sweetness!
- Baking Powder and Baking Soda: So that your cookie bars stand up nice and tall.
- Flour: I usually only use all-purpose flour for this recipe.
- Oats: Old-fashioned oats offer great texture and some health benefits! (More on that below.)
- Chocolate Chips: I like to use semi-sweet chocolate chips, but you can use milk chocolate chips or even white chocolate chips.
- Raisins: Technically optional, but highly recommended!
- walnuts: I love the crunch that these chopped nuts add.
Cookie bars are the perfect dessert when you’re feeling lazy. Because you don’t have to hollow out and shape each cookie, the entire process takes just over 30 minutes. So when sugar cravings hit, you don’t have to wait that long to cure it!
Here is the step-by-step guide to making the best oatmeal bars:
Preheat oven to 350°F: Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper and coat with nonstick spray.
Mix butter and sugar: In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar on medium speed for 2 minutes.
Add the eggs: Also add vanilla, salt, cinnamon, baking powder and baking soda. Mix everything together until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Add flour and oats: Turn mixer to low, add flour and oats and mix until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips, raisins, and walnuts until evenly incorporated.
Bake: Press the mixture into the prepared form and bake for 20-25 minutes.
Tips for Success
Super easy, right?
Okay, now that you’re familiar with the process, I have a few additional tips for you that will make it even easier:
- Allow the cookie to cool before slicing the bars: That gives him a little time to solidify. If you try to cut the poles too soon, they could crumble and fall apart.
- How to know when it’s done: The edges of the cookie should be golden brown and firm. If the middle looks a little understated, that’s okay. It will finish cooking in the pan while you let it cool.
- Use parchment paper: There’s nothing worse than losing cookies to a pan that wasn’t greased enough. Use parchment paper for easy, uneventful cookie removal!
- Can I use Quick Oats? Secure! The texture won’t be quite the same, but it still works well and tastes great.
Another thing I love about these oatmeal bars is that you don’t have to make them the same way every time! If you change what you add, they can look like completely different cookies:
- Chocolate Chips: Throw in chocolate chips (any kind), white chocolate chips, caramel chips, etc. Chopped chocolate is good too!
- candy: I think peanut butter cups would be fabulous in these cookie bars, as would M&Ms.
- Fruit: Raisins and dried cranberries are the first things that come to mind.
- Nuts: Walnuts are my top choice, but chopped pecans might work, too.
How to store leftovers
I like to store these cookies in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days. You can also keep them at room temperature, also in an airtight container, for 2-3 days.
Can I freeze these?
Yes! You can freeze your oatmeal bars in an airtight container between sheets of parchment paper for 2-3 months.
description
Oatmeal Bar are so soft and chewy, and they’re packed with raisins, chocolate chips, and more! Dessert doesn’t get any easier or more delicious than these easy cookie bars!
- 1 cup butter, room temperature
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 Big Eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon Cinammon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 cups old-fashioned (rolled) oats
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 cups raisins
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper and coat with nonstick spray. Put aside.
- In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add eggs, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, baking soda, and baking powder and mix until smooth, scraping down sides of bowl as needed.
- Turn the mixer on low and add the flour and oats and mix until combined.
- Stir in the chocolate chips, raisins, and walnuts until evenly incorporated.
- Press the mixture into the prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting into bars.
Remarks
- Allow the cookie to cool before slicing the bars: That gives him a little time to solidify. If you try to cut the poles too soon, they could crumble and fall apart.
- How to know when it’s done: The edges of the cookie should be golden brown and firm. If the middle looks a little understated, that’s okay. It will finish cooking in the pan while you let it cool.
- Use parchment paper: There’s nothing worse than losing cookies to a pan that wasn’t greased enough. Use parchment paper for easy, uneventful cookie removal!
- Can I use Quick Oats? Secure! The texture won’t be quite the same, but it still works well and tastes great.
- Storage: Store airtight in the fridge for 4-5 days. You can also freeze them airtight between sheets of parchment paper for 2-3 months.
Keywords: Cookie bars, oatmeal bars, oat bars with chocolate chips
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