Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars

Here’s a recipe for Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars—chewy, sweet, and delicious! These bars are perfect for a snack or dessert.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 1/2 cups raisins (or more if you love raisins!)
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:

   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
   • Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.

2. Make the Dough:

   • In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
   • Add the eggs and vanilla extract, beating until combined.
   • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
   • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.

3. Add Oats and Raisins:

   • Stir in the oats, raisins, and nuts (if using). Mix until evenly distributed. The dough will be thick.

4. Spread and Bake:

   • Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish, pressing it down gently to make an even layer.
   • Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the bars are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

5. Cool and Slice:

   • Let the bars cool completely in the baking dish before slicing them into squares or bars.

Tips:

• Storage: Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4-5 days. You can also refrigerate them for a longer shelf life.
• Add-ins: Feel free to get creative with add-ins like chocolate chips, shredded coconut, or dried cranberries.
• Chewy vs. Crisp: For chewier bars, slightly underbake them (around 25 minutes). For a crispier texture, bake a bit longer.

Enjoy these chewy, comforting oatmeal raisin cookie bars with a cup of tea or coffee! Let me know if you need any variations or have any specific preferences for ingredients!