Oatmeal Raisin Bars (and a pregnancy brain mishap)

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Aren’t these bars lovely? Thick and chewy and studded with oatmeal and raisins. My dad and I walked through the grocery store over the weekend, and he almost picked up a package of store-bought oatmeal cookies. If I enjoy baking (and I do) I LOVE baking when I can make something special for my family or friends. “Put those down!” I commanded my 72 year old father. “I’ll make you a batch of oatmeal cookies so good you’ll never eat Safeway’s again.”

And I think I fulfilled that promise. These oatmeal raisin bars are the perfect antidote to anything wrapped in plastic.

Now, I wish all my baking experiments turned out as well as these oatmeal raisin bars. Alas, I’ve had my share of catastrophes over the years, and in recent months (ahem, Lucille Amelia), the frequency of my baking failures has sky-rocketed. Case-in-point: these vanilla cupcakes. Has anything looked more pitiful? Ever? I’m not sure what went wrong. All I know is that I made these after a long day at work. I tried, earnestly, to double-check my ingredient list. But as soon as the beeper buzzed and I made my way to the oven, I knew something had gone horribly awry.

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These cupcakes were meant for my first baby shower (held this Sunday!) But don’t worry, I’m making another batch tonight. My mom graciously volunteered to help (she never thought she’d be teaching me how to make cupcakes again!)

I’m not sure if pregnancy brain is a real phenomenon, but I do know pregnancy is teaching me lessons in humility and adaptation. Life isn’t going the way I planned, and it’s okay, good even. As I begin my third trimester, the much dreaded nausea I fought during my first twelve weeks has made a return. I’m not nearly as sick I was in October and November, but I’m having to slow down again, to listen to my body with greater care.

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Thankfully, I’m surrounded by sweet friends and family who are so excited to welcome Lucy into the world. We’ve already received some precious gifts (both from our sweet moms) and I can’t wait to start decorating her nursery. Ryan’s mom, Debbie, gave us his old cup and saucer. My mom made a shadow box with a dress she had received from her grandmother (my great-grandmother). Beautiful heirlooms we’ll be sure to pass on to our own children.

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So rest assured, these oatmeal raisin bars are pregnancy brain proof. I pulled them off without the least bit of concentration, and my dad is once again thankful we moved closer to home. Stay tuned for pictures of my baby shower. I’ll be sharing all sorts of goodness come Monday morning. So if you haven’t already, follow me on facebook, twitter or through feedly. It would make my day!

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Oatmeal Raisin Bars

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted, plus more for pan
3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup all-purpose flour, (spooned and leveled)
2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick-cooking)
1 cup raisins

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Butter an 8-inch square baking pan. Line bottom with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides; butter paper.

In a large bowl, whisk together butter, sugars, egg, salt, and cinnamon until smooth. Add flour, baking powder, oats, and raisins; fold in just until combined.

Spread batter in prepared pan, and bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs attached, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool completely in pan. Using paper overhang, lift cake onto a work surface; cut into 16 bars.

Monet

Anecdotes and Apple Cores

48 thoughts on “Oatmeal Raisin Bars (and a pregnancy brain mishap)

  1. Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking

    These bars look lovely, Monet! So flavorful and perfectly chewy – love ’em. Sorry about your cupcake failure (though hilarious), but thanks for sharing, haha! We’ve all had our fair share of concave cupcakes and kitchen mishaps. Have a wonderful baby shower, dear friend! Sorry I’ll have to miss it.

  2. Wendy

    Monet – when my daughter-in-law was pregnant with my grandson, I gave her the blanket that we brought my son home from the hospital in when he was born, which became his favorite ” blankey.” I had the worn satin trim replaced and it was good as new. They also used this blanket to bring my grandson home in and are saving it to give him when HE has a child! Save all these little things (like the bowl and cup) to give your children when they are having children of their own. They will cherish it just as you do!

  3. Eileen

    Monet, I am definitely adding your oatmeal bar recipe to my list of goodies to make soon. They look so delicious! Now, as for the cupcakes… at least you have a very good excuse to fall back on. What’s mine? I have periods where I bake things that turn out quite funky. And no, I’m not expecting. Hope you the rest of your week is restful ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. Elizabeth

    I know that oatmeal raisin cookies have a bad reputation a lot of the time, but I absolutely love them! I’ve never thought of making them in bar form, but it is such an amazing idea because I actually like bars more than cookies.
    And, I have so many baking failures so you’re definitely not alone ๐Ÿ™‚ Here is to successful baking!

  5. regina

    It’s so fun to follow along with all of your preperations for sweet Lucy! I have that same bowl and cup. :-)nick -0

  6. Miss Meat and Potatoes

    You know what you managed to make those failed cupcakes look kind of lovely and artful in that photo! Too funny about pregnancy brain. I find it happens to me during hormonal ‘surges’… Right after I found out I was pregnant I remember going shopping and once I got out on the highway I literally couldn’t remember where I had set out to go. It was SO bizarre and scary but it was my first bout of it:) These bars look so amazing. I am definitely in a carb phase so they’re definitely speaking to me. Have a great shower btw!!

  7. Kiran @ KiranTarun.com

    Sorry about the cupcake failure. Bet this bars made up for it! I can’t wait to see the shower photos!

    ps: I could imagine you saying, “put those down!” to your dad! So glad this bars made up for that store bought cookies ๐Ÿ˜‰

  8. kitchen flavours

    Hi Monet,
    Your oatmeal bars looks wonderful!
    I have my fair share of baking failures! The cup and saucer set is really cute and so special to pass it down to another generation!
    Love the pretty little dress, such treasures!
    Take care, hope you are feeling much better from the nausea!

  9. Natalie @ Once Upon a Cutting Board

    I hate when things go wrong in the kitchen like that, but at least you have time to make new cupcakes, so good for you for planning ahead! I also love these bars, I’ve seen a lot of cookie bars but I don’t think I’ve ever seen an oatmeal raisin version – such a great idea! Hope your shower goes well!

  10. Terra

    You Dad is so lucky! How beautiful that you could make this lovely treat for him! I have all the ingredients, and I need to make them this weekend…..hopefully I will have some left for a treat while I travel next week LOL! I will let you know how mine turn out! Hugs, Terra

  11. Orchidea

    These bars look incredibly good and I will try your recipe tonight! So nice presents you got… I am so curioes to see pictures form the baby shower.
    Ciao.

  12. Liz

    Oh, yeah. Pregnancy brain IS real…been there 3 times! I’m certain your next batch of cupcakes will be perfect…just like your oatmeal bars. xo

  13. TheKitchenLioness

    Monet, what absolutely beautiful family heirlooms/treasures you received, I love the shadow box with that amazing vintage girlยดs dress and the cup and bowl are just the cutest! Hope you will have a terrific Baby Shower this coming Sunday, how nice that your mum will help you. I should not forget to mention that your Oatmeal Raisin Bars look scrumptious!
    Enjoy a wonderful weekend and the Baby Shower (do not forget to take pictures)! Hope you will be feeling better very soon!
    P.S.: I “liked” you on FB

  14. Mary

    I can hardly wait to see pictures of your shower! You are such a lovely mama-to-be, Monet. I started following your baby board on Pinterest and I’ve been messaging my pregnant SIL with so many of the great pictures. Your little one is lucky to have you planning for her!

  15. Annie

    I’m such a sucker for oatmeal raisin anything. Dare I say I think I would choose them over chocolate chip cookies if given the opportunity. Those cupcakes look familiar…like mine a few occurrences. I will beware of pregnancy brain. Fun times! Oh, I made your grammy’s brownies and Greg took some to work-huge hit! Delicious. Have a wonderful baby shower!

  16. Monica

    I love any kind of bar that’s chewy! And I’d love to make this…though I’d be so tempted to use chocolate chips instead of raisins. : ) I hope your nausea goes away again soon. I remember when I was pregnant that I’d feel nauseous whenever I rushed (trying to catch the bus, rush to work, etc.). I lived off of saltine crackers and jolly ranchers for a while but luckily, it went away in a few weeks.

  17. zerrin

    Love that you share those cupcakes, we all learn from our failures! I think that pregnancy brain is real as I’m experiencing it these days too!
    Your oatmeal bars sound so good, bet your dad will ask for it again! And can’t wait to see your preperations for Lucy!

  18. Patty

    Oh Boy!! I have to admit to putting a cake in the garbage last night …..
    On a bright note your oatmeal raisin bars look just perfectly delicious ๐Ÿ˜‰

  19. Jeannie

    Hi Monet, Nice to know I am not the only one still making mistakes in the kitchen:P But those oatmeals bars certainly proof your baking skills are intact! Lovely little things you got there! ๐Ÿ™‚ Have a happy weekend!

  20. Rosa

    I think such mishaps happen to us all, whether we are pregnant or not… ๐Ÿ˜‰ It is life’s way of telling us that nothing is perfect and that things don’t always go as planned!

    Lovely bas!

    Have agreat weekend.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

  21. Betty

    Those bars look wonderful! You’re so sweet to rescue your dad from store bought cookies. ๐Ÿ™‚ I love your little dress and cup and bowl- such special treasures!

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