Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars

Oatmeal in front of anything sounds deceptively healthy but let’s not kid ourselves – oatmeal cookies are certainly not. Even with the addition of another seemingly virtuous ingredient like raisins, they’re still very much a cookie. I think that misconception also puts off the die-hard decadent cookie lovers, and it shouldn’t. These oatmeal raisin cookie bars are buttery, soft and more than capable of satisfying a sweet tooth.

If chocolate must be involved, it slips into this recipe very happily. I’d skip the frosting if you’re adding chocolate though, otherwise things start edging into far too sweet. If you’re after something unapologetically rich and chocolatey instead, I recommend trying my Chocolate Marble Brownies or Gluten Free Chocolate Brownies.

As much as I love a classic oatmeal cookie, I was craving a bar version with a creamy frosting that wasn’t outrageously sweet. Sometimes I’m simply too lazy to portion out individual cookies and a bar cookie is exactly the shortcut needed. The frosting is sweeter than I usually go for, so if you’re someone who prefers treats on the less-sweet side, leave it off. They are every bit as good without it. If you’re packing these for lunchboxes, travelling with them or feeding little (or big) people whose sticky fingers somehow end up everywhere, a generous sprinkle of Demerara sugar before baking makes an excellent alternative.

Although these weren’t originally created for my hungry yacht racing crew, they would travel very well without the frosting and make a welcome lunchbox addition. You can certainly make them your own—walnuts, a pinch of nutmeg or some chopped dried apricots would all fit right in without changing the character of the recipe.

For me, these smell like autumn. Buttery oats, cinnamon and sweet raisins drifting through the house while the kettle boils. Pull on your favourite comfortable clothes, make yourself a cup of tea—or whatever warm drink feels like a hug from the inside—and enjoy one while still warm from the oven.

Worth Making?

• Yes — if you want cookies but can be bothered scooping individual balls of dough
• Yes — if you want something homemade that still feels low effort and comforting
• Yes — if your ideal dessert or treat is laced with cinnamon, butter and makes you long for cooler weather
• Skip it — if you only like very crisp cookies because these stay soft in the middle
• Skip it — if oats in cookies or dessert offend you emotionally or texturally (my daughter falls in this category)
• Skip it — if you’re expecting this to qualify as breakfast simply because oats are involved

Make it your own way

• Add 1–2 teaspoons of espresso powder to the batter to deepen the flavours without making the bars taste like coffee
• Swap the raisins for 150g dark or milk chocolate chunks for a chocolate oatmeal cookie bar. Skip the frosting and finish with flaky sea salt instead.
• Spread with cream cheese buttercream or brown butter buttercream for a richer dessert-style bar that’s perfect with an afternoon coffee or served after dinner.
• Fold through chopped walnuts, pecans or dried apricots for a little extra texture and flavour without changing the character of the bars.
• Add a pinch of cinnamon and swap out some of the milk for maple syrup in the frosting.