Description
These homemade oatmeal bars with a vibrant Ruby Cranberry Drizzle are a wholesome and chewy snack, perfect for busy mornings, lunchboxes, or an afternoon energy boost. They are designed to be easy to make and can be prepared ahead for the week.
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (250g)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (125g)
- 0.75 cup light brown sugar (150g)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter (113g), melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries (120g)
- 0.25 cup granulated sugar (50g)
- 0.25 cup water or orange juice (60ml)
Instructions
- Prep Baking Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing some overhang on the sides for easy removal.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, melt the butter, then whisk in the eggs and vanilla extract.
- Combine Wet And Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture. Stir until just combined; a moist, crumbly dough will form. (If the mixture looks a bit too dry, a splash of 1-2 tablespoons of milk or water can help bring it together.)
- Press Into Pan: Firmly press the mixture evenly into the prepared 9×13-inch baking pan, using the back of a spoon to get a nice, compact layer.
- Bake Bars: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center feels set when lightly touched. Let cool completely in the pan before proceeding.
- Prepare Cranberry Drizzle: While the bars cool, combine cranberries, granulated sugar, and water or orange juice in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens slightly. Let cool slightly.
- Drizzle And Chill: Drizzle the vibrant Ruby Cranberry Drizzle generously over the cooled oatmeal bars. Allow the drizzle to set (about 30 minutes at room temperature, or 15 minutes in the fridge) before using the parchment overhang to lift out the entire slab and cutting it into squares.
Notes
For high-protein snacks, stir in 0.25 cup of unflavored protein powder to the dry ingredients. For a vegan option, ensure your brown sugar is certified vegan, use 2 flax eggs (2 tablespoons ground flaxseed + 6 tablespoons water), and plant-based butter. If bars are too crumbly, you likely didn’t press them firmly enough into the pan. If the drizzle is too thin, simmer it a bit longer to reduce the liquid, or whisk in 0.25 teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon of cold water, then simmer for another minute. Always use parchment paper for easy removal to prevent bars from sticking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 32 minutes
- Category: Snack, Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250 calories
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Keywords: oatmeal bars, cranberry drizzle, wholesome snack, easy recipe, make ahead, breakfast, lunchbox, chewy, family-friendly, baked