Oatmeal Cranberry Bars

Besides the blondies and brownies for Madaline & Ernie's Airstream rally, I wanted to include a bar that was more like a cookie.  Plus, I didn't want everything to have chocolate (while this would be fine with me, I knew I was baking for a much larger audience and that some people don't like chocolate (and those are people I can't be friends with.)  Oatmeal cookies immediately came to mind and I knew that with the dried cranberries, they'd be both sweet and nutty, and would definitely be perfect with a cup of coffee after dinner (or again, at breakfast. I don't judge, people!)  These bars are definite winners and a the slightest of spice from cinnamon and nutmeg gives these bars the perfect oatmeal cookie flavor.  The texture is a perfect cookie crumb, just on the soft side without completely falling to pieces when you bite it.

I scoured the web for oatmeal bar recipes and was surprised that I struggled.  Most recipes were for actual granola bars or were designed for 8 x 8 inch pans. Knowing I needed to make 9 x 13 inch pans to get enough yield for the number of people, I settled on a recipe that could be adapted.  Sandyg61 posted this recipe on food.com and I adjusted the quantities to fit my pan, as well as subbing dried cranberries for the chocolate chips.  The result was perfect and if Dave's devouring of the test batch is any indication, I'm certain I'll be asked to make these again and again.



Oatmeal Cranberry Bars

Ingredients

3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 cups oats
1 cup dried cranberries

In a microwave safe bowl, melt butter.  Transfer to a large bowl.  Add sugars and whisk to combine.  Allow to cool slightly.

Add eggs, vanilla, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg, whisking until combined.

Stir in flour until incorporated.  Fold in oats, then cranberries until distributed throughout, creating a stiff dough like cookie dough.

Spread dough evenly in a greased 9 x 13 inch pan.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 30-35 minutes or until gently golden, top is set and a tester inserted in the center comes out clean.

Let cool on wire rack before cutting into bars.

Makes 24 cookie bars.

Happy Baking,
The Cookie Princess

Printer Friendly Recipe