Best Frosted Oatmeal Cranberry Bars Recipe (Easy & Chewy)
Chewy oatmeal cranberry bars topped with a luscious, fluffy cream cheese frosting. Simple ingredients, big cozy flavor—perfect for holidays, bake sales, or an anytime treat.<\/p>
Equipment
- 9x13-inch baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Electric mixer
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Spatula
- Wire rack
Ingredients
Oatmeal Cranberry 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 1/2 cups dried cranberries divided (1 1/4 cups in batter, 1/4 cup for garnish)
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 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
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan. For easy removal, line with parchment and leave a 2-inch overhang.
- Make Batter: Cream 1 cup softened butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar on medium-high for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then vanilla, scraping bowl as needed.
- Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Add to wet ingredients and mix on low just until combined; do not overmix.
- Fold-ins: Gently fold in oats and 1 1/4 cups dried cranberries (reserve 1/4 cup for garnish).
- Bake: Press sticky dough evenly into prepared pan (dampen fingers or a spatula with water). Bake 20-25 minutes until edges are golden and a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack, 1-2 hours.
- Frosting: Beat softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup butter until smooth. On low, gradually mix in 3 cups sifted powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Increase speed and whip 2-3 minutes until fluffy. If thin, add more sugar 1/4 cup at a time.
- Finish: Spread frosting over fully cooled bars; swirl the top. Garnish with remaining 1/4 cup cranberries. Chill 30 minutes for the cleanest slices, then cut into 24 bars.
Notes
Room-temperature butter, eggs, and cream cheese are key for smooth batter and frosting. Cooling the bars completely prevents melting frosting. For neater cuts, wipe the knife between slices.