These Oatmeal Raisin Bars have a simple crumb crust and are filled with a creamy raisin mixture. If you love oatmeal raisin cookies, you’ll love these delicious bars!
I rarely meet a bar that I don’t like, but these Oatmeal Raisin Bars belong at the top of the list! For more fabulous bar desserts, try these Lemon Bars or these Caramel Brownies. Or these 7 Layer Bars are always a hit!
As a lover of the oatmeal raisin cookie, these Oatmeal Raisin Bars are a go-to.
If you are a fan of oatmeal raisin cookies, these bars are for you. A crumbly crust is topped with a creamy filling that is stuffed with raisins. Then more crumb goes on top and everything is baked together.
The bars are messy – all that crumb mixture! – but I would honestly categorize them as in the top at least 5 of my favorite bar recipes right now. Really. I really, really liked them.
Oatmeal raisin lovers – this one needs to go to the top of your “to try” list!
Ingredients
- Sugar: You will need both white sugar and brown sugar. The white sugar will go in the filling, and the brown sugar goes in the crumb base and topping. I use light brown sugar, but you could use dark brown sugar for a more intense flavor.
- Cornstarch: The cornstarch is important to thicken up the raisin center.
- Cinnamon: This is a pretty typical spice for when oatmeal and raisins are involved. It brings in just a hint of cinnamon flavor.
- Sour Cream: The sour cream makes the center the perfect texture. I have only tested this recipe with full fat sour cream.
- Eggs: You will want to make sure your eggs are at room temperature. You will be adding a hot liquid to them while whisking, so if they are cold, you are more likely to scramble your eggs instead of gently cooking them.
- Raisins: I know not everyone is a raisin fan, but the raisins are pretty important for the flavor in this recipe.
- Oats: The original recipe I had printed here used quick cooking oats, but I have found that I like regular old fashioned oats better. But either really could be used.
- Baking Soda: This keeps the crumb base from being too dense.
- Salt: The salt balances flavors.
- Butter: You want to make sure your butter is cold, and it’s easiest to incorporate when it is cut into small squares.
How to Make Oatmeal Raisin Bars
STEP 1: You’ll want to make your filling first because you need to let it come to room temperature. Combine all of the filling ingredients except the eggs and the raisins. Cook until it is bubbling.
STEP 2: Whisk your eggs in another bowl, then add some of the hot filling, whisking the whole time.
STEP 3: Add the egg mixture back into the saucepan, whisking the whole time. Let the mixture come to a boil again, and then let it cook for 2 minutes, stirring the whole time. The mixture will become nice and thick.
STEP 4: Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the raisins. Then let the mixture sit until it comes to room temperature.
STEP 5: Meanwhile, you can make your crumb mixture, which will be both the crust and the topping. Combine the flour, oats, sugar, baking soda and salt. Then use a pastry cutter or a fork to cut the butter into the mixture until you have coarse crumbs.
STEP 6: Take 3 1/2 cups of the crumb mixture and press it into the bottom of a 9×13-inch pan that has been greased or sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
STEP 7: Take your raisin mixture and spread it over the crust. Do this gently, as you don’t want to pull up any of the crust.
STEP 8: Sprinkle the rest of the crumb mixture over the top of the raisin filling.
STEP 9: Bake the bars until they are golden brown. Let them cool before cutting into bars and serving.
Tips and Tricks
You want to make sure the butter is cut in evenly for the crumb mixture. Using a pastry cutter is my favorite way to do this, but you can also use your hands. Just pinch the mixture between your fingers until the crumbs are small and even.
You can line the baking pan with parchment paper, but I find that these bars don’t really stick as long as you grease the pan ahead of time.
I like to store these in the refrigerator. They are delicious at room temperature, but I really love them straight from the fridge.
More Oatmeal Recipes
Oatmeal Raisin Muffins
Oatmeal Cake
Cocoa Oatmeal Muffins
Oatmeal Cookies
Oatmeal Muffins
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Oatmeal Raisin Bars
Ingredients
Filling
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons plus 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 cups sour cream
- 3 eggs lightly beaten
- 2 cups raisins
Bars
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 3/4 cups old fashioned oats
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup cold butter cut into cubes
Instructions
Make the filling:
- In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon. Stir in the sour cream and cook over medium-high heat until it starts to bubble, stirring often. When it starts to bubble, turn down the heat and cook for 2 more minutes, stirring as it cooks.1 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons plus 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 1/2 cups sour cream
- Remove from the heat, and while whisking the eggs, add a small amount of the hot mixture to the eggs.3 eggs
- Stir the egg mixture back into the saucepan and return the heat. Bring to a boil, and cook an additional 2 minutes, stirring the whole time. (I like to switch between a whisk and a spatula to make sure I’m keeping lumps out, while also making sure none sticks to the bottom of the saucepan and burns.)
- Remove from the heat and stir in the raisins. Let the mixture sit, without stirring, until room temperature.2 cups raisins
Make the crumb:
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Use a pastry cutter to cut in the butter until it resembles coarse crumbs.1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 3/4 cups old fashioned oats, 1 cup packed brown sugar, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 cup cold butter
To assemble:
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Press 3 1/2 cups of the crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Gently spread the raisin mixture over the crust.
- Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the top of the raisin filling.
- Bake the bars for 25-30 minutes, or until browned and set. Let cool completely before cutting into bars
Patty says
I was skeptical, but these were SO good!
Margot Nadeau says
This recipe sounds a lot like date squares which my husband and I love. Can’t you substitute raisins for dates?
Deborah says
I’m sure dates would work just fine!
Karen Brewer says
I make cinnamon raisin bars but my recipe is a little different. To finish them off I make confectioners sugar glaze with some cinnamon in and wow great
Nutmeg Nanny says
Yum 🙂 these bars look delicious, I am loving the crumb on top!
Karly says
These bars are calling my name, I must have them! Thanks for linking up with What’s Cookin’ Wednesday!
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats says
I adore oatmeal raisin cookies also so I can’t wait to try it in bar form which is so much less time consuming! Plus that crumb topping pushes it over the edge!
Christine says
These look amazing, and not to mention genius. I love oatmeal date bars, and I love oatmeal raisin cookies, so making these seems like the perfect way to combine those… Making them this weekend!
Anna (Hidden Ponies) says
Yummm…I love crumb bars!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
Oatmeal raisin is my favorite cookie too so I’m sure I’ll love these!
kelley {mountain mama cooks} says
These look awesome- my dad LOVES oatmeal raisin cookies… I think I need to make him a batch for fathers day! Your reunion sounds like a ton of fun too!
Annie @ Annie's Noms says
Loving these! I love oatmeal and raisin cookies and I don’t know why, but sometimes you just need a bar instead! These look perfect 🙂