Cranberry Oatmeal Bars
These Cranberry Oatmeal Bars are soft, chewy, and full of wholesome flavor. Packed with fiber and natural sweetness, they make a perfect breakfast, snack, or dessert. Quick to prepare and easy to slice, they’re an ideal choice for meal prep or a satisfying treat anytime.
Equipment
- 1 × 9x13 inch baking pan
- 1 × medium mixing bowl
- 1 × Large mixing bowl
- 1 × Whisk
- 1 × Hand mixer or stand mixer
- 1 × Spatula
- Cooking spray
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 14 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups quick-cooking oats
- 1 cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Prepare the Baking Pan: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature by the time your batter is ready. While the oven is warming, take a 9x13-inch baking pan and lightly coat it with cooking spray. This will prevent sticking and help your bars release cleanly. For extra security, you can line the pan with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang to make lifting the bars easier later.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, ½ teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Use a whisk to blend these ingredients thoroughly. This ensures the leavening agent, salt, and spice are evenly distributed, which helps the bars bake uniformly and enhances the flavor in every bite.
- Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, add 14 tablespoons of softened unsalted butter along with ¾ cup of packed brown sugar and ½ cup of granulated sugar. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the mixture on medium speed for 3–5 minutes, until it becomes light, fluffy, and creamy. This creaming process incorporates air into the butter, giving your bars a tender, chewy texture.
- Add the Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. This helps the eggs incorporate fully into the butter-sugar mixture, creating a smooth batter. Once both eggs are blended in, add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and mix briefly until fragrant. Vanilla enhances the overall flavor, giving the bars a warm, inviting aroma.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Slowly add the flour mixture to the creamed butter and sugar. Start on low speed to prevent flour from puffing out of the bowl, then gradually increase the speed to medium until the dry ingredients are just combined. Avoid overmixing at this stage to keep the bars tender rather than dense.
- Incorporate Oats and Cranberries: Gently fold in 3 cups of quick-cooking oats and 1 cup of dried cranberries using a spatula. Stir just until evenly distributed, ensuring every bite contains a perfect balance of chewy oats and tart cranberries. This step is crucial to maintaining the bars’ soft, chewy texture while distributing the fruity sweetness throughout.
- Press the Batter into the Pan: Transfer the prepared batter into the greased 9x13-inch baking pan. Using the back of a spatula or your hands, gently press the batter down into an even layer. Make sure the surface is smooth and uniform, as this helps the bars bake evenly and makes them easier to cut later.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes. Keep a close eye on the bars toward the end of the baking time. The edges should turn golden brown while the center remains slightly soft but set. To test doneness, lightly touch the center; it should spring back slightly without being wet.
- Cool Completely: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack. Cooling is essential—it allows the bars to firm up, making clean slices possible. If desired, leave them to cool for at least 15–20 minutes before slicing.
- Slice and Serve: Once cooled, use a sharp knife to cut the bars into 24 even pieces. For precise cuts, you can score lightly before slicing fully. Serve immediately as a snack, breakfast treat, or dessert. These bars store beautifully, making them an excellent option for meal prep or grab-and-go energy.
Notes
- Use quick-cooking oats for a soft, chewy texture; old-fashioned rolled oats can make the bars slightly denser.
- Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature for proper creaming with sugar. Cold butter may result in uneven texture.
- Brown sugar adds moisture and chewiness, while granulated sugar balances sweetness. Do not skip either.
- Press the batter evenly in the pan to ensure uniform baking and easier slicing.
- For extra flavor, consider toasting the oats lightly before mixing to bring out a nutty aroma.
- Bars can be customized with other dried fruits, nuts, or chocolate chips. Adjust quantities to maintain balance.
