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Baking recipe · from the recipe book

Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Spice Bars

Soft, chewy bars packed with toasty oats, plump raisins and warm cinnamon-nutmeg spice, with golden edges and a tender middle.

Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Spice Bars

Ingredients

  • 2½ cups200 gOld-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1 cup120 gAll-purpose flour
  • ½ cup115 gUnsalted buttermelted and slightly cooled
  • ⅔ cup packed150 gBrown sugarpacked
  • 1 large50 gEggsroom temperature
  • 2¾ tsp20 gMolasses
  • 1¼ tsp5 gVanilla extract
  • ¾ cup110 gRaisins
  • 1⅛ tsp3 gGround cinnamon
  • ½ tsp1 gGround nutmeg
  • ¾ tsp3 gBaking soda
  • ¼ tsp2 gSalt
  • ¼ cup60 gWaterhot

Steps

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8-inch square pan with parchment, leaving overhang for lifting.
  2. Put the raisins in a small bowl and cover them with the hot water; let them soak for 10 minutes while you mix the batter.
  3. Spread the oats on a baking sheet and toast them in the oven for 6 to 8 minutes, until fragrant and lightly golden; let them cool a few minutes.
  4. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda and salt.
  5. In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter with the brown sugar until smooth, then whisk in the egg, molasses and vanilla until glossy.
  6. Stir the flour mixture into the butter mixture until just combined, then fold in the toasted oats.
  7. Drain the raisins, discarding the soaking water, pat them dry and fold them into the dough.
  8. Press the dough evenly into the pan with damp fingers.
  9. Bake for 22 to 26 minutes, until the edges are golden and a toothpick in the center comes out with only a few moist crumbs.
  10. Cool in the pan on a rack for at least 30 minutes, then lift out and cut into 12 bars.

Food safety: Don't taste raw dough or batter: raw flour and raw eggs can carry germs.

Contains: Milk, Egg, Gluten.

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Saved in the Every Helping recipe book on October 24, 2026.

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