Description
An elegant take on oatmeal raisin cookies, these bar cookies feature browned butter, toasted oats, and plump raisins, delivering a chewy texture with a sophisticated flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, browned and cooled slightly
- 1 cup (200 g) light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups (190 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- Zest of 1 orange, finely grated
- 2 1/2 cups (225 g) old-fashioned rolled oats, lightly toasted
- 1 1/2 cups (225 g) raisins, warmed and plumped
- Flaky sea salt for finishing
- 1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, toasted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch pan with parchment, leaving an overhang to lift the bars.
- Brown the butter: Melt butter in a light-colored skillet over medium heat, swirling until solids turn golden-brown and aroma becomes nutty. Remove from heat and let cool until warm to the touch.
- Whisk sugars into the warm browned butter until slightly glossy. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla and orange zest until the mixture glows and holds a ribbon.
- In a bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Fold the dry mix into the butter-sugar mixture until just combined; avoid overmixing to keep tender texture.
- Toast the oats in a dry skillet over medium-low until fragrant and a touch darker, about 4–5 minutes. Cool, then fold oats and plumped raisins into the batter along with toasted nuts if using.
- Press the mixture evenly into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with an offset spatula. Sprinkle flaky sea salt lightly.
- Bake for 22–28 minutes, until the edges are golden-brown and a toothpick shows a few moist crumbs.
- Cool completely in the pan on a rack before lifting out and slicing into bars.
Notes
Chill briefly before slicing for neat, uniform bars. Store bars in an airtight container for optimal freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg