Brown Butter Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars
Indulge in these chewy cookie bars that blend the comforting flavors of oats and raisins with the rich, nutty essence of brown butter, making them a favorite treat for any occasion.
Servings: 16 bars
Calories: 230kcal
Ingredients
For the cookie bars
- 1 cup unsalted butter Adds richness and flavor.
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed Ensures that perfect chewy texture and caramel-like sweetness.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar Helps balance the sweetness.
- 2 large eggs Binds the ingredients together.
- 2 tsp vanilla extract Enhances the overall flavor profile.
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour The base of your cookie bars providing structure.
- 1 tsp baking soda Aiding the rise.
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon Adds a fragrant warmth.
- 1/2 tsp salt Balances flavors.
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats Provides that hearty texture.
- 1 1/2 cups raisins Adds a natural sweetness.
For the frosting
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter For creamy, luscious topping.
- 2 cups powdered sugar Sweet, fluffy goodness for the frosting.
- 2 tbsp milk Plus more as needed to achieve desired frosting consistency.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract Enhances the sweetness.
- 1 pinch salt Balances the sweetness in frosting.
Instructions
Preparation
- Begin by placing 1 cup of unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Melt it gently, stirring as it bubbles and begins to foam. After a few minutes, the butter will turn a lovely golden brown, releasing a nutty aroma.
- Remove the brown butter from heat and let it cool for about 15 minutes.
- While the butter cools, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by greasing it or lining with parchment paper for easy removal later.
Mixing the Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled brown butter with 1 cup of packed brown sugar and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar. Whisk until you achieve a smooth mixture.
- Incorporate 2 large eggs and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, mixing until thoroughly combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
- Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to keep your bars tender.
- Gently fold in 2 cups of old-fashioned rolled oats and 1 1/2 cups of raisins, ensuring everything is evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Baking
- Spread your mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 22–26 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.
Frosting
- While your bars cool, prepare the frosting by browning the remaining 1/2 cup of unsalted butter as you did earlier.
- Once browned, transfer to a mixing bowl and add 2 cups of powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat until smooth and fluffy, adding more milk to reach your desired consistency if needed.
Finishing Touches
- Once the cookie bars have completely cooled, spread the frosting generously over the surface, using the back of a spoon to create decorative swirls if desired.
- Consider adding additional raisins on top for an appealing finish.
- Cut the bars into squares and serve immediately. They can also be stored in an airtight container for later enjoyment.
Notes
Watch the butter closely while browning; it can go from perfect to burnt quite quickly. For extra texture, consider adding chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans. If you have leftover frosting, use it for other treats or as a dip for fruit. Sprinkle a little sea salt over the frosted bars just before serving for a sweet and salty contrast.