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Oatmeal Raisin Bars

Stack of three oatmeal raisin bars and a glass of milk

Oatmeal Raisin Bars are a perfect snack to make and take on the run. Sometimes the combination of oats and raisins can be just as tempting and as tasty as chocolate. This recipe is one such example.

Yes, you might say it is the stick and a half of butter that brings these oatmeal raisin bars to the same level as a chocolate brownie and you might be on to something…but I think it is the chewy texture of the raisins in this oat-filled snack that will keep you reaching for a second and then a third and so on.

This particular recipe for Oatmeal Raisin Bars comes from Martha Stewart’s website. She has an assortment of cookies and bars offered among her seemingly endless list of recipes.

This oatmeal raisin recipe stood out to me for a couple of reasons: it comes together quickly. Mix all of the ingredients in one bowl, press into the buttered pan and pop these into the oven for 30 minutes. Done.

Another highlight is that this recipe serves a group for many occasions—a snack for kids after school, for moms meeting for coffee, for a picnic, for a family dinner. You can’t go wrong—people love these oat bars!

Click through to see the full recipe on the Martha Stewart site. I’ll share the ingredients here to show you that you likely have all of these ingredients at home and can make these today.

Yield: 16

Oatmeal Raisin Bars

Oatmeal raisin bars and glass of milk

Oatmeal raisin bars are a chewy treat that is perfect for lunch boxes and packs easy for travel, hiking, and picnics.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted, plus more for pan
  • 3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour, (spooned and leveled)
  • 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick-cooking)
  • 1 cup raisins

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare 8 by 8 inch pan with parchment and also spray with baking spray.
  2. Beat the butter and sugars until fluffy then add in the egg.
  3. Add the dry ingredients of salt, cinnamon, flour and oats. Fold in the raisins.
  4. Transfer into the prepared pan and bake for 26-28 minutes.
  5. Let cool in pan then remove to cut into squares.

Notes

Original recipe from Martha Stewart

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

16

Serving Size:

1 square

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 148Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 75mgCarbohydrates: 32gFiber: 2gSugar: 17gProtein: 3g

This data is provided by Nutritionix and is an estimate only.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

If you like making cookies and bars, you’ll enjoy this recipe for Hermit Bars which is also originally from Martha Stewart. And if you have more oats ready for baking, try these oatmeal recipe:

Overhead photo of stack of oatmeal raisin bars
 

Anne

Sunday 26th of April 2020

So the butter is supposed to be melted? There is no beating melted butter and sugar to be fluffy. It is very wet and doesn’t get fluffy. Is it supposed to be room temp butter?

Holly Baker

Monday 27th of April 2020

Hi there, thanks for your comment. Yes, the butter should be melted and then let come to room temp (or there about). My choice of words was probably not the best-- you are right, melted butter won't make a batter "fluffy". Think of this batter similar in texture to a brownie batter-- smooth and well blended. I need to make this recipe again and update my text. Thanks for the reminder!

Laura Dembowski

Monday 14th of January 2013

Those look amazing! I love turning cookies into bars :)

Holly @ abakershouse.com

Monday 14th of January 2013

Thanks, Laura! Me too! Now on to think about the next recipe that would turn out equally as well. Maybe twix bars or oatmeal-caramel bars? Now I am hungry!

Julia | JuliasAlbum.com

Thursday 10th of January 2013

You're absolutely right, oats and raisins are wonderful together!

Holly @ abakershouse.com

Thursday 10th of January 2013

Hi Julia, thanks for leaving a comment! I just stopped by your blog and think your photography is beautiful. I look forward to enjoying your recipes this year. Holly

Pamela

Thursday 10th of January 2013

Yummy! Love homemade granola bars! These look good! I will put this in my recipe book! Thanks for sharing Holly!

Holly @ abakershouse.com

Thursday 10th of January 2013

Thanks, Pamela, now if all that butter wasn't in the recipe we might be able to call these healthy...but maybe you can come up with a better version?

Holly @ abakershouse.com

Wednesday 9th of January 2013

Thanks so much!

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