This Irish Soda Bread recipe has raisins (or currants) and optional caraway seeds; this round quick bread easy to make in your cast iron skillet, baked in the oven. Enjoy it for St. Patrick's Day or any time of the year.
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Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars
Estimated reading time: 10 minutes
Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars are exactly like our favorite Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, only in bar form. They are about 1 inch thick, sweet with brown sugar and raisins, and deliciously satisfying!
Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars
Hi Everyone, these are my favorite Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars and I am so glad they share them with you!
I like the cookie bars because you don't have to do the work of forming the dough for every cookie, saving you time.
For this recipe, I used my homemade Dark Brown Sugar and Homemade Vanilla Extract.
Sugar-Free Options
We have sugar-free options for you!
I have included some sugar-free options for those that do not want to have brown sugar or granulated white sugar in this recipe.
These options are listed in the recipe notes in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
If you try any of these options or have one to suggest that works for you, please let us know in the comments at the end of the post!
Recipe Attribution
This recipe is based on other cookie recipes on the blog: Oatmeal Raisin Cranberry Cookies and Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies.
Ingredients
- ½ cup (1 stick) PLUS 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened or at room temperature
- ¾ cup packed dark brown sugar, *See notes about sugar-free alternatives
- ½ cup granulated white sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (I prefer Saigon cinnamon, more fragrant)
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- 3 cups uncooked old-fashioned whole oats or quick oats
- 1 cup raisins (red)
- 1 cup chocolate chips, nuts, or chopped fruit, optional *See notes
Kitchen Tools
- measuring spoons and cups
- mixing bowls
- 2-cup wet measure
- wire balloon whisk
- 9x13-inch baking pan
- baking spatula(s)
- offset spatula
- Stand mixer
- parchment paper
"Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookie Bars Recipe" TikTok Video
I did a TikTok video making a "Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookie Bars Recipe" version of this recipe (below).
This version is great for anyone that doesn't want chocolate, nuts, or raisins in their oatmeal bars.
It just uses all brown sugar and the cinnamon flavor shines through! See the notes in the recipe card at the end of the post for further instructions on this version!
Consider following me on TikTok!
Web Story
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If you make this Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars recipe and like it, please give it a rating in the recipe card below and let us know in the comments below. Thank you for reading and following along!
Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars
Yield:
24 bars
Prep Time:
10 minutes
Cook Time:
30 minutes
Cooling Time:
5 minutes
Total Time:
45 minutes
Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars are exactly like our favorite Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, only in bar form. They are about 1 inch thick, sweet with brown sugar and raisins, and deliciously satisfying!
Ingredients
- ½ cup (1 stick) PLUS 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened or at room temperature
- ¾ cup packed dark brown sugar, *See notes about sugar-free alternatives
- ½ cup granulated white sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (I prefer Saigon cinnamon, more fragrant)
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- 3 cups uncooked old fashioned whole oats or quick oats
- 1 cup raisins (red)
- 1 cup chocolate chips, nuts or chopped fruit, optional *See notes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a medium-large mixing bowl, add the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon, and whisk to combine.
- In a stand mixer, using the paddle attachment, beat sugars and unsalted butter on medium speed until they are creamed together, scraping down the sides if need be. Add the 2 large eggs and vanilla extract and beat to combine.
- Add the flour mixture gradually until combined.
- Add the oatmeal and raisins and slowly beat to combine.
- In an ungreased 9x13 inch baking pan (alternately, you can use parchment paper to line the 9x13 inch pan), press the cookie bar dough into the pan evenly. You can use an offset spatula to help spread the dough.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until light golden brown. When it's done, cool completely in the pan on a wire rack or trivet when done (at least 5-10 minutes). When it's cool, cut it into 24 bars.
Notes
Recipe Yield: Makes 24 bars
Baking time: 30-35 minutes
9 x 13-inch baking pan required
Optional: You can add 1 cup of chopped nuts of your choosing and you can substitute 1 cup of chocolate chips or M&Ms (or other candy-coated candy pieces) or 1 cup of dried chopped fruit in place of 1 cup of raisins.
High Altitude Baking: Increase the flour amount to 1-¾ cups
"Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookie Bars" recipe version (as shown on my TikTok): Skip the granulated white sugar and just use all brown sugar (1 ¼ cups total), don't add any raisins or nuts. I find this version is great for those picky eaters!
For an extra decadent option: Try using brown butter! Check out my How to Make Brown Butter tutorial. Use the same amount just make it brown butter.
Sugar-Free Options: You can use Monkfruit or Stevia-Monkfruit combination in a 1:1 ratio with sugar (only use brands that say you can use it in a 1-to-1 ratio because these options are normally sweeter than sugar in nature!). I have linked these options (#CommissionEarned).
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned #ad
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Homestia Gold Measuring Cups and Spoons Set Stainless Steel 8 PIECE for Dry and Liquid Ingredients Engraved Measurement Heavy Duty Baking & Cooking Utensils -
Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls by Finedine (Set of 6) Polished Mirror Finish Nesting Bowl, ¾ - 1.5-3 - 4-5 - 8 Quart - Cooking Supplies
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Pyrex Grab Glass Bakeware and Food Storage Set, 8-Piece, Clear
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If You Care FSC Certified Parchment Baking Paper, 70 sq ft (Pack of 2)
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King Arthur, Baking Sugar Alternative, Made with Plant-Based Ingredients, Keto-Friendly, 1-to-1 Substitute for Granulated Sugar, 12 Ounces
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KitchenAid KSM150PSER Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer with Pouring Shield, 5-Quart, Empire Red
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 242Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 95mgCarbohydrates: 32gFiber: 2gSugar: 21gProtein: 3g
Please note that the Calculated Nutrition is an estimate at best.
- This post was originally published on 6/24/2020
- Updated and republished on 11/4/2021, 11/2/2022, 7/22/2023, 6/3/2024
Owner at Life's Little Sweets
Sara is an architectural designer turned work-at-home Mom. She lives in New Jersey by way of New England and New York, with her husband and 3 kids under 8. She loves design, being creative, and spending time with family and friends. She loves checking out local businesses and eats and being apart of the local farm to table community.
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Danny says
When do you add the flour mixture?
Sara Maniez says
Thank you for catching that, I have updated the recipe, it's on step 4. Just add it in gradually, like 1/2-1 cup at a time until it's combined, and then continue with the rest of the steps. Thank you!
David says
You can store the bars in the fridge and if they seem to get hard, just wrap the bar loosely in a paper towel and microwave for 20 seconds...tastes like just out of the oven...I learned this as a way to revive stale donuts