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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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://foodbylina.com/frosted-oatmeal-cranberry-bars-recipe/