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Old Fashioned Raisin Bars

Old Fashioned Raisin Bars

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. 
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Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Old Fashioned Raisin Bars
Servings: 34 pieces
Calories: 130kcal
Author: Bex Smith

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

– 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

Calories: 130kcal
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