Oatmeal Cookie Bars

I’m not really a baker. I have a tendency to be lazy when I cook, modifying recipes to be as easy as possible, and I’m embarrassed to say it travels into my baking methods as well. These oatmeal cookies are perfect for the bakers who are lazy like me, who want a soft and chewy cookie without having to put any effort in! It takes about 15min to make the batter, and it makes a whole 9×13 pan of cookies to share.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups packed brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 ½ all-purpose flour
• 3 ¼ cups quick-cooking oats
• 1 ½ cups raisins, chocolate chips, and/or M&Ms (optional)

For the frosting: (optional)

• 1 ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1-4 tbsp milk
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 baking pan, or two 8×8 pans, and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs, then stir in the vanilla.
3. Add the cinnamon, salt, and baking soda, mixing until they’re well-incorporated.
4. Add in the flour to the batter ½ cup at a time, making sure it’s mixed in before adding the next scoop. Using a spatula, hand-fold the oats into the dough, 1 cup at a time for even distribution.
5. (optional:) If you want to add raisins or another mix-in, hand-fold them into the mixture to your taste.
6. Plop the dough into the prepared baking dish and use a spatula to spread it evenly, squishing it down to fill to the edges. Bake 18-25 minutes, to your taste in softness. An even 20 minutes does about perfect for me in my oven. Allow to cool for 45 minutes before cutting to serve.
7. (optional:) For the frosting, use a fork to combine the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla in a small bowl. Add the milk gradually — 1-2 tsp at a time — until the powdered sugar and vanilla mixture is to the consistency you desire. Pour over the cookies while they’re cooling, using a spatula to reach the sides and corners.

I enjoy these cookies with a fresh batch of coffee, but you could have them on their own or with a glass of milk as well. If they’re still warm, I recommend using a fork to eat them. I hope you enjoy these as much as my friends and family do!

From my table to yours,