Chewy Cherry Vanilla Oatmeal Cookie Bars
Soft, cake-like oatmeal bars studded with tart dried cherries and toasted pecans, bound with vanilla and warm cinnamon spice. The chewy texture comes from brown sugar and quick oats, making these ideal for lunchboxes, potlucks, or afternoon snacks. This version balances sweet cookie dough with sour cherries for brightness and includes optional nuts for textural contrast.
Ingredients
- 1 cup shortening
- 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flourgluten-free 1:1 blend1:1dietarygluten-free
note: may require +1-2 Tbsp liquid; increases chewiness
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 cups rolled oats, quick or old-fashioned, uncooked
- 1 ½ cups dried sour cherriesdried cranberries1:1fruit
vegan
- ¼ cup pecans, chopped(optional)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 350F.
- 2
Beat shortening and both sugars until creamy.
- 3
Add eggs and vanilla, beat well.
- 4
Mix in flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- 5
Fold in oats, dried cherries, and pecans.
- 6
Spread evenly in ungreased 9x13 inch metal baking pan.
- 7
Bake 30 to 35 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
- 8
Cool 15 to 30 minutes before cutting into bars.
Tips
Use a metal baking pan rather than glass; it conducts heat more evenly for consistent browning and chewiness throughout the bars.
Don't overbake. Remove when a toothpick shows moist crumbs, not wet batter. Bars firm up as they cool and become drier if cooked too long.
Press mixture firmly into pan with greased hands or offset spatula to ensure even thickness and prevent dry, crumbly texture.
Good to Know
Store in airtight container at room temperature up to 5 days. Bars can also be wrapped individually and frozen for up to 3 months.
Prepare dough and refrigerate up to 24 hours before spreading and baking. Baked bars keep covered at room temperature 2 days, refrigerated 5 days.
Cut into 24 bars (3 rows x 8 columns). Serve at room temperature or slightly warm with coffee, tea, or cold milk. Pack in lunchboxes or serve at bake sales.
Common Mistakes
Do not skip cooling time to avoid crumbling when cutting; bars need 15-30 minutes to set.
Do not use glass baking pan in place of metal; uneven browning and potential edge over-browning may result.
Do not overmix after adding dry ingredients to prevent tough, dense bars.
Substitutions
Vegan Options
Gluten-Free Swaps
note: may require +1-2 Tbsp liquid; increases chewiness
Nut-Free Alternatives
General Alternatives
vegan
FAQ
Can I use old-fashioned oats instead of quick oats?
Yes. Old-fashioned oats work fine and create a slightly chunkier texture. Cook time remains the same. For finer texture, pulse oats in food processor before adding.
What if I don't have sour cherries? What can I substitute?
Dried cranberries, blueberries, or diced dried apricots work well. Maintain the 1.5 cup quantity. Cranberries provide similar tartness; apricots add sweetness and softer texture.
How long do baked bars keep at room temperature?
Tightly covered bars stay fresh and chewy for up to 5 days at room temperature. Beyond that, they gradually dry out. Refrigerate for extended freshness or freeze for up to 3 months.