Frosted Oatmeal Cranberry Bars Recipe

Introduction

These Best Frosted Oatmeal Cranberry Bars are easy to make and wonderfully chewy with a creamy frosting that perfectly balances tart cranberries. They’re a delicious treat perfect for gatherings or an everyday snack.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs (at room temperature)
• 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 1/2 cups dried cranberries (divided: 1 1/4 cups in batter, 1/4 cup for garnish)
• 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 3-4 cups powdered sugar (sifted; start with 3 cups and add to thicken)
• 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/8 tsp salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch pan or line it with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang for easy removal.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, cream 1 cup softened butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar on medium-high speed for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract, scraping down the bowl as needed.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed just until combined; avoid overmixing.
4. Step 4: Gently fold in the oats and 1 1/4 cups dried cranberries, saving 1/4 cup cranberries for garnish.
5. Step 5: Press the sticky dough evenly into the prepared pan. To prevent sticking, dampen your fingers or a spatula with water. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for 1-2 hours.
6. Step 6: For the frosting, beat softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup butter together until smooth. On low speed, gradually add 3 cups sifted powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Increase the speed and whip for 2-3 minutes until fluffy. If the frosting is too thin, add more powdered sugar 1/4 cup at a time to thicken.
7. Step 7: Spread the frosting over the fully cooled bars and create swirls with a spatula. Garnish with the remaining 1/4 cup dried cranberries. Chill the bars for 30 minutes before cutting into 24 squares for clean slices.

Tips & Variations

• Use parchment paper to easily lift the bars out of the pan without breaking.
• Swap dried cranberries for raisins or chopped dried cherries for a different fruit twist.
• Add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the batter for extra crunch.
• If you prefer a less sweet frosting, reduce the powdered sugar to 2 cups and whip until smooth.

Storage

Store the frosted bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Let them come to room temperature before serving for softer texture. You can also freeze the bars (unfrosted) for up to 2 months; thaw completely before frosting and serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend of equal measure and ensure your oats are certified gluten-free.

Can I prepare the bars ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can bake the bars and keep them unfrosted in the fridge for up to 2 days. Frost and garnish just before serving to keep the frosting fresh.

Frosted Oatmeal Cranberry Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 387 reviews

These Best Frosted Oatmeal Cranberry Bars feature a chewy, buttery oatmeal base packed with tart dried cranberries and topped with a creamy, luscious cream cheese frosting. Perfectly balanced with warm cinnamon and a hint of vanilla, these bars are easy to make and ideal for a crowd-pleasing dessert or snack.

• Author: lina
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 24 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Oatmeal Bars

• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs (at room temperature)
• 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 1/4 cups dried cranberries

Frosting & Garnish

• 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 3–4 cups powdered sugar (sifted; start with 3 cups and add more as needed)
• 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch pan, or for easier removal, line it with parchment paper leaving a 2-inch overhang on the sides.
2. Make Batter: In a large bowl, cream together the 1 cup softened butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar on medium-high speed for 3-4 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, scraping the bowl as necessary to ensure everything is incorporated.
3. Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed just until combined; avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender.
4. Fold-ins: Gently fold in the rolled oats and 1 1/4 cups dried cranberries into the batter until evenly distributed.
5. Bake: Press the sticky dough evenly into the prepared pan. To make spreading easier, dampen your fingers or a spatula with water. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the edges turn golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for 1-2 hours.
6. Frosting: Beat the softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup butter together until smooth and creamy. On low speed, gradually add in 3 cups of sifted powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Once combined, increase the mixer speed and whip for 2-3 minutes until the frosting is fluffy. If the frosting is too thin, add additional powdered sugar 1/4 cup at a time until the desired consistency is achieved.
7. Finish: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the completely cooled bars and create swirls on top for texture. Garnish with the remaining 1/4 cup dried cranberries. Refrigerate the bars for 30 minutes before slicing into 24 bars to ensure clean, neat slices.

Notes

• Room temperature eggs will blend more easily into the batter, resulting in a better texture.
• Using parchment paper makes it easier to remove the bars from the pan without breaking.
• Adjust the amount of powdered sugar in the frosting to suit your preferred sweetness and thickness.
• Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• For a nutty flavor, consider adding 1/2 cup chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the batter.

Keywords: oatmeal bars, cranberry bars, frosted oatmeal bars, cream cheese frosting, chewy bars, easy dessert, holiday dessert