Last Updated on February 23, 2024
Growing up, there were certain treats that always brought a sense of comfort and nostalgia. Among those treasured recipes was my grandmother’s old-fashioned raisin bars.
These simple yet delectable bars hold a special place in my heart, as they were a staple at family gatherings and holiday celebrations. In this article, I invite you to embark on a journey back in time with me as we explore the world of old-fashioned raisin bars.
As I reminisce about the joys of childhood, the aroma of freshly baked old-fashioned raisin bars fills the air, transporting me to a time when life was simpler and sweeter.
These bars encapsulate everything I love about traditional baking – wholesome ingredients, rich flavors, and a touch of nostalgia.
What is Old-Fashioned Raisin Bars?
Old-fashioned raisin bars are a classic dessert made with a buttery oat-based crust and a sweet raisin filling. These bars are a perfect blend of chewy, gooey, and buttery goodness, making them a delightful treat for any occasion.
What Does It Taste Like?
The first bite of old-fashioned raisin bars is like a warm hug from the past. The buttery crust crumbles delicately in your mouth, giving way to a luscious filling of plump raisins cooked to perfection.
The combination of sweet and slightly tangy flavors is a harmonious symphony that lingers on your palate, leaving you craving for more.
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Why This Recipe Works?
1. Simple Ingredients, Remarkable Flavor: The use of basic pantry staples such as raisins, flour, and spices creates a flavor profile that is both familiar and irresistible.
2. Perfect Balance of Sweetness: The natural sweetness of raisins paired with a modest amount of sugar ensures that these bars are not overly cloying but just right.
3. Hearty and Satisfying: The addition of walnuts provides a crunchy texture and nutty flavor that complements the chewy raisins, making each bite a delightful experience.
4. Versatile and Easy to Customize: Whether enjoyed on its own or paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, old-fashioned raisin bars are a versatile dessert that can be enjoyed in various ways.
Ingredients for Old-Fashioned Raisin Bars
For the cake:
- Butter: Provides moisture, richness, and flavor to the cake batter. It contributes to the tender crumb and helps to create a soft texture.
- Allspice, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon: These spices add warmth, depth, and complexity to the cake’s flavor profile. Each spice contributes its unique aromatic notes, creating a deliciously spiced cake.
- Baking soda: Acts as a leavening agent, helping the cake to rise and become light and fluffy.
- Large egg: Acts as a binder, helping to hold the cake batter together and provide structure to the baked cake.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor of the cake. It helps to bring out the other flavors in the batter.
- Sugar: Provides sweetness to the cake and helps to create a soft and tender texture.
- Raisins: Add natural sweetness and chewiness to the cake. They provide bursts of flavor in each bite.
- Flour: Serves as the main dry ingredient, providing structure and stability to the cake batter.
- Walnuts: Provide a crunchy texture and nutty flavor to the cake. They add richness and depth to the overall taste.
- Water: Helps to hydrate the cake batter and create a moist texture.
For the frosting:
- Melted butter: Provides richness and flavor to the frosting. It helps to create a smooth and creamy texture.
- Confectioner sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting, creating a smooth and spreadable consistency.
- Vanilla: Adds flavor and aroma to the frosting, enhancing its overall taste.
- Milk: Helps to thin out the frosting to achieve the desired consistency for spreading or piping.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1:
Preheat my oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring it’s nice and hot for baking my delicious old-fashioned raisin bars.
Step 2:
In a small saucepan, I combine 1 cup of raisins and 1 cup of water. Then, I bring this mixture to a gentle boil on the stove.
Step 3:
Once the raisins and water reach a boil, I remove the saucepan from the heat and add in 1/2 cup of butter. I let the mixture cool until it’s lukewarm.
Step 4:
In a medium-sized bowl, I whisk together 1 3/4 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of allspice, 1/2 teaspoon of cloves, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. This mixture will give my raisin bars a lovely blend of spices.
Step 5:
Next, I pour the cooled raisin mixture into a large mixing bowl. To this, I add 1 cup of sugar, 1 beaten large egg, and the dry ingredients I whisked together earlier.
Step 6:
Using an electric mixer, I beat the mixture until everything is thoroughly blended, creating a smooth batter filled with plump raisins and aromatic spices.
Step 7:
Now, I prepare my sheet pan by greasing it with butter and lightly flouring it. I’m using a sheet pan that measures 15½x10½x1 inch, perfect for creating evenly baked bars.
Step 8:
Carefully, I pour the batter into the prepared sheet pan, spreading it out evenly with a spatula to ensure uniform thickness.
Step 9:
I bake the raisin bars in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 10:
Once baked to perfection, I allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before frosting.
Step 11:
For the frosting, I mix together 2 tablespoons of melted butter, 1 3/4 cups of confectioners’ sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, and just enough milk to achieve the desired spreading consistency.
Step 12:
Once the bars are cooled, I spread the frosting evenly over the top using a spatula.
Step 13:
Finally, I sprinkle 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts over the frosting for added crunch and flavor. Now, my old-fashioned raisin bars are ready to be sliced and enjoyed!
Notes: Tips for Perfect Old-Fashioned Raisin Bars
– To enhance the flavor, soak the raisins in rum or orange juice before cooking.
– For a gluten-free version, substitute a gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour.
– Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting into squares to ensure clean slices.
– Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
– These bars can be frozen for up to one month. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Nutrition Information
(Calories per serving: 130 | Total Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 100mg | Total Carbohydrates: 38g | Dietary Fiber: 2g | Sugars: 24g | Protein: 3g)
How To Store The Leftovers?
To store leftover old-fashioned raisin bars, ensure they are completely cooled before transferring them to an airtight container.
You can leave them at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer shelf life. If freezing, wrap the bars tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.
Sides For Old-Fashioned Raisin Bars
1. Vanilla Ice Cream: The creamy richness of vanilla ice cream pairs perfectly with the warm, spiced flavors of the raisin bars.
2. Whipped Cream: A dollop of whipped cream adds a light and airy touch to these indulgent bars.
3. Hot Coffee or Tea: Enjoy a cozy afternoon treat by pairing your raisin bar with a steaming cup of coffee or tea.
4. Fresh Fruit Salad: Balance out the sweetness of the bars with a refreshing side of fresh fruit salad.
What are Some Alternative Choices to the Ingredients in Case They are Not in Your Pantry?
1. Substitute raisins with dried cranberries or chopped dates for a different flavor profile.
2. Replace walnuts with pecans or almonds for a variation in texture.
3. Use coconut oil or margarine instead of butter for a dairy-free option.
4. Swap out the egg with a flaxseed or chia seed mixture for an egg-free alternative.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 large egg beaten
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cloves
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 3/4 cups flour
- 1/2 cup walnuts chopped
- 1 cup water
For Frosting:
- 2 Tbsp. melted butter
- 1 3/4 cup confectioner sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- milk enough for spreading desired consistency
Instructions
Step 1:
- Preheat my oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring it’s nice and hot for baking my delicious old-fashioned raisin bars.
Step 2:
- In a small saucepan, I combine 1 cup of raisins and 1 cup of water. Then, I bring this mixture to a gentle boil on the stove.
Step 3:
- Once the raisins and water reach a boil, I remove the saucepan from the heat and add in 1/2 cup of butter. I let the mixture cool until it’s lukewarm.
Step 4:
- In a medium-sized bowl, I whisk together 1 3/4 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of allspice, 1/2 teaspoon of cloves, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. This mixture will give my raisin bars a lovely blend of spices.
Step 5:
- Next, I pour the cooled raisin mixture into a large mixing bowl. To this, I add 1 cup of sugar, 1 beaten large egg, and the dry ingredients I whisked together earlier.
Step 6:
- Using an electric mixer, I beat the mixture until everything is thoroughly blended, creating a smooth batter filled with plump raisins and aromatic spices.
Step 7:
- Now, I prepare my sheet pan by greasing it with butter and lightly flouring it. I’m using a sheet pan that measures 15½x10½x1 inch, perfect for creating evenly baked bars.
Step 8:
- Carefully, I pour the batter into the prepared sheet pan, spreading it out evenly with a spatula to ensure uniform thickness.
Step 9:
- I bake the raisin bars in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 10:
- Once baked to perfection, I allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before frosting.
Step 11:
- For the frosting, I mix together 2 tablespoons of melted butter, 1 3/4 cups of confectioners’ sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, and just enough milk to achieve the desired spreading consistency.
Step 12:
- Once the bars are cooled, I spread the frosting evenly over the top using a spatula.
Step 13:
- Finally, I sprinkle 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts over the frosting for added crunch and flavor. Now, my old-fashioned raisin bars are ready to be sliced and enjoyed!
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use instant oats instead of regular oats in the crust?
Yes, instant oats can be used as a quicker-cooking alternative, but the texture may vary slightly.
2. Can I omit the nuts for a nut-free version of these bars?
Absolutely! Simply leave out the nuts if you have allergies or prefer a nut-free option.
3. Can I add other spices like ginger or cardamom to the filling?
Feel free to experiment with different spices to customize the flavor profile to your liking.
4. How long do these bars stay fresh if kept in the refrigerator?
When stored in the refrigerator, these bars will stay fresh for up to a week.
Conclusion
In a world filled with trendy desserts and exotic flavors, old-fashioned raisin bars stand the test of time as a beloved classic that never goes out of style.
From the sweet aroma that fills the kitchen to the first bite that brings back cherished memories, these bars are more than just a dessert – they are a nostalgic journey back to simpler times. So, take a trip down memory lane and savor the comforting flavors of these timeless treats.