Oh, these Grandma’s Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars! They’re honestly like a warm hug in dessert form. You know those classic flavors that just instantly take you back? This is it. We’re talking soft, chewy, packed with oats and sweet raisins – pure comfort. My grandma used to whip these up, and the whole house would smell like cinnamon and happiness. They’re just the real deal, and I’m so excited to share them with you!
Why You’ll Love Grandma’s Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars
- Super easy to make – no fancy equipment needed!
- Perfectly chewy texture, not too cakey, not too crunchy.
- Packed with that classic oatmeal raisin flavor everyone adores.
- Great for bake sales, potlucks, or just a cozy afternoon treat.
Expert Tips for Perfect Grandma’s Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars
Okay, so to get these bars just right, there are a couple of things I always do. First, don’t overmix the dough once you add the flour – seriously, just until it comes together. Overmixing means tougher bars, and we want chewy! Also, watch the baking time like a hawk. Grandma always said the edges should be golden, but the center should still look a *little* soft when you pull them out. They finish cooking in the pan, and that’s how you get that amazing chewy texture. And if you’re feeling fancy, a little sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top right after they come out of the oven? Game changer!
Gathering Your Ingredients for Grandma’s Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars
Alright, let’s get our ingredients ready for these amazing bars! You’ll need the usual suspects, but a few details make all the difference. Make sure your butter is softened – not melted, just soft enough that you can easily press your finger into it. This is key for that creamy texture when we mix it with the sugars. We’re going to use both granulated and light brown sugar; the brown sugar is what really gives these bars that lovely chewiness and caramel notes. And don’t skimp on the vanilla extract, it just makes everything taste so much better.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
For the oats, always go for old-fashioned rolled oats, not the instant kind. Those thicker oats give the bars that perfect hearty texture and chew. If you can’t find them, steel-cut oats *could* work in a pinch, but they’ll change the texture quite a bit, so stick with rolled if you can! As for the raisins, any kind will do, but golden raisins are a nice touch if you have them. If you’re not a raisin fan, or want to switch things up, chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans are a fantastic addition. Just toss them in with the oats!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Grandma’s Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars
Alright, let’s get these delicious bars into the oven! First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that’s warming up, grab your 9×13 inch baking pan and give it a good grease and flour. This just makes sure our beautiful bars don’t stick later, and nobody wants that!
Now, grab your biggest mixing bowl. We’re going to cream together that softened butter with both the granulated sugar and the packed light brown sugar. Really beat them together until the mixture is light and fluffy. It should look pale and airy – this is where a lot of that lovely texture comes from! Then, we’ll add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each one. Don’t forget the vanilla extract; it just makes everything taste so much better.
In a separate bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients: the flour, baking soda, salt, and those warm spices – cinnamon and nutmeg. Oh, the smell of those spices already! Gradually add this dry mixture into your wet ingredients. Mix it up until it’s *just* combined. Seriously, don’t go crazy here; we don’t want tough bars!
Now for the best part! Stir in those rolled oats and the raisins. Make sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough. Then, take that glorious dough and press it evenly into your prepared baking pan. I like to use my hands for this, maybe slightly damp or floured so it doesn’t stick too much. Just get it into an even layer.
Baking Grandma’s Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars to Perfection
Pop that pan into your preheated oven and let them bake for about 25 to 30 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to be a lovely golden brown, but the center should still look a tiny bit soft and set. They’ll continue to bake a little as they cool in the pan, which is totally the secret to keeping them wonderfully chewy!
Cooling and Cutting Your Grandma’s Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars
This is important: let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. I know, I know, it’s torture waiting, but if you try to cut them too soon, they’ll just fall apart. Once they’re totally cool, you can cut them into whatever size bars you like. I usually go for about 24 bars, but you do you!
Serving and Storing Your Delicious Cookie Bars
These bars are just fantastic on their own, but if you want to go the extra mile, they’re amazing with a tall glass of cold milk. Seriously, it’s the perfect pairing! A scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side? Don’t mind if I do! For storing, once they’re completely cool, just pop them into an airtight container. They’ll stay wonderfully soft and chewy at room temperature for about 3-4 days. If you have any left, that is! I sometimes find myself sneaking one (or two!) from the container before bed.
Frequently Asked Questions about Grandma’s Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars
Q: Can I make these bars nut-free?
Absolutely! If you need to avoid nuts, just skip the optional nuts entirely. The bars are still incredibly delicious and chewy without them. It’s one of the great things about this recipe – it’s pretty forgiving and adaptable!
Q: My bars came out a bit cakey, what did I do wrong?
Oh, that’s usually from overmixing the dough after adding the flour, or sometimes overbaking. Try to mix the dry ingredients in *just* until they disappear, and pull the bars out when the center still looks a little soft. They finish cooking in the pan, which is the key to that perfect chewy texture we’re after!
Q: What if I don’t have old-fashioned rolled oats?
It’s really best to stick with old-fashioned rolled oats for the right texture. Quick oats or instant oats will make the bars much softer and almost cake-like, which isn’t quite the same chewy goodness we want. So, if you can, grab the rolled oats!
Q: How long will these cookie bars stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they’re usually good for about 3 to 4 days. But honestly, they rarely last that long in my house!
Understanding the Nutrition of Grandma’s Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars
Just a little note about the nutrition info for these yummy bars – it’s all an estimate, you know? The exact calories, sugar, and fat can change depending on the specific brands of butter, sugar, and even the size of your eggs. So, think of it as a helpful guide rather than a strict rulebook!
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Grandma’s Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars: 100% Yummy
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft and chewy oatmeal raisin cookie bars, a comforting classic.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1.5 cups raisins
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Stir in the rolled oats and raisins until evenly distributed.
- Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set.
- Let cool completely in the pan before cutting into bars.
Notes
- For chewier bars, do not overbake.
- You can add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for extra crunch.
- Store cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: oatmeal raisin cookie bars, chewy cookies, bar cookies, classic dessert, grandma's recipe