Description
Iced Oatmeal Cookie Bars are a perfect combination of hearty oats, sweet cinnamon, and a creamy glaze, all in the form of a soft, chewy bar. These bars have all the comforting flavors of traditional oatmeal cookies but with the added bonus of being easier to make and serve. The simple icing on top adds a sweet finishing touch that complements the warm, spiced oatmeal perfectly. These bars are perfect for a snack, dessert, or even as a treat to share with friends and family.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup raisins or chocolate chips (optional)
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk (more if needed for desired consistency)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Make the Cookie Bar Dough: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Stir in the rolled oats, and if desired, fold in raisins or chocolate chips for added flavor and texture.
- Bake the Bars: Spread the oatmeal cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula to smooth out the top. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the bars cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Icing: While the bars are cooling, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl until smooth. Add more milk if needed to reach your desired icing consistency—it should be thin enough to drizzle but thick enough to hold its shape.
- Ice the Bars: Once the oatmeal bars are completely cool, drizzle the icing evenly over the top. Use a spoon or offset spatula to spread it out if necessary. Let the icing set for about 10-15 minutes, or until it firms up a bit.
- Slice and Serve: Slice the iced oatmeal cookie bars into squares or rectangles, and serve. Enjoy with a cup of coffee, tea, or as a simple snack!
Notes
Add Nuts: Add chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds to the dough for added texture and flavor.
Spiced Version: Add a pinch of nutmeg or ground ginger to the dough to enhance the spiced flavor of the bars.
Coconut Version: Add shredded coconut to the dough for a tropical twist.
Maple Icing: Replace the milk in the icing with maple syrup for a maple-flavored drizzle to complement the oatmeal flavor.
Gluten-Free Version: Use a gluten-free flour blend to make these bars gluten-free. Make sure to also use certified gluten-free oats.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
