There’s something truly special about classic recipes that have been passed down through generations. When I stumbled upon this gem for old-fashioned raisin bars, I knew instantly it was a must-try. And let me tell you, these bars did not disappoint. From their incredibly moist, tender crumb to the delightful burst of plump, sweet raisins and the perfectly balanced blend of warming spices, they capture the essence of homemade goodness. They’re remarkably easy to prepare, making them an ideal choice for a quick snack, a delightful dessert, or even a wholesome breakfast treat. My household couldn’t get enough of them – they disappeared almost as quickly as they were made!

Why These Raisin Bars Are a Must-Bake

Beyond their irresistible flavor, these raisin bars offer a unique combination of qualities that make them stand out. They are:

• Incredibly Moist: The secret lies in plumping the raisins in hot water, which not only softens them but also infuses moisture directly into the batter. This ensures a wonderfully tender crumb that melts in your mouth.
• Perfectly Spiced: A harmonious blend of cinnamon, allspice, and cloves creates a warm, inviting aroma and a flavor profile that’s both comforting and familiar. These classic spices bring a cozy, home-baked essence to every bite.
• Easy to Make: With straightforward instructions and common pantry ingredients, even novice bakers can achieve spectacular results. This recipe is designed to be accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
• Versatile: Enjoy them plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or with the classic creamy frosting – they’re delicious in any form. You can customize the topping to suit your preference or occasion.
• Family Favorite: These bars have a universal appeal that makes them a hit with everyone, from kids to adults. They’re a true crowd-pleaser that embodies the warmth and tradition of home baking.

If you love comforting baked goods, you might also enjoy our classic Bread Pudding recipe!

The Enduring Charm of Old-Fashioned Recipes

Old-fashioned recipes, like these raisin bars, carry with them a legacy of simple pleasures and timeless flavors. They remind us of grandma’s kitchen, holiday gatherings, and the joy of home baking before complex ingredients and elaborate techniques became commonplace. These recipes often rely on fundamental ingredients and straightforward methods, proving that deliciousness doesn’t need to be complicated. Raisin bars, in particular, have been a staple in American homes for decades, cherished for their hearty texture and wholesome ingredients. The combination of sweet raisins and warm spices creates a profile that is both comforting and deeply satisfying, making them a beloved treat that transcends generations. It’s a taste of history, a bite of comfort, and a testament to the enduring power of simple, good food.

Key Ingredients for Perfect Raisin Bars

While the full ingredient list is in the recipe card below, let’s highlight some key components and why they are essential for achieving the perfect Old Fashioned Raisin Bars:

• Raisins: The star of the show! Plumping them in hot water ensures they are soft, juicy, and distribute evenly throughout the batter. This step is crucial for moisture and texture. You can use any type of raisin – dark, golden, or even a mix – based on your preference.
• Warm Spices: Cinnamon, allspice, and cloves are the classic trio that gives these bars their signature “spice cake” flavor. These spices contribute a deep, aromatic warmth that is characteristic of traditional baked goods. Don’t skimp on fresh spices; they make all the difference. For an extra kick, a pinch of nutmeg or ginger can be added, or you can adjust the ratios to find your personal favorite blend.
• Butter: Provides richness and moisture to the bars, contributing to their tender texture and delicious flavor. Using softened butter for the bars and melted butter for the frosting makes for a smoother consistency and easier blending.
• Flour & Leavening: All-purpose flour gives the bars their necessary structure and tender crumb. Baking soda acts as the leavening agent, ensuring a light and airy texture. It reacts with the acidic components in the batter to create a beautiful lift.
• Sugar: Granulated sugar not only sweetens the bars, balancing the tartness of the raisins and the intensity of the spices, but also contributes to their moistness and tenderness.
• Egg: Acts as a binder, holding all the ingredients together, and contributes to the structure and richness of the bars. It also adds a slight emulsifying effect, resulting in a smoother batter.

Mastering the Method: Tips for Success

Making these old-fashioned raisin bars is a straightforward process, but a few tips can elevate your baking experience and ensure perfect results every time:

1. Preheat Your Oven Properly: Always preheat your oven to the specified temperature (350°F / 175°C) before you even start mixing your ingredients. This ensures even baking from the moment the pan enters the oven, leading to a consistent texture.
2. Prepare Your Pan Diligently: Lining your sheet pan with parchment paper is a game-changer for easy removal. It prevents sticking and makes cutting the bars much simpler and cleaner. If you don’t have parchment paper, make sure to thoroughly grease and flour the pan to prevent any sticking.
3. Plump the Raisins for Moisture: Do not skip this essential step! Boiling the raisins in water and then letting them cool with butter softens them beautifully and adds crucial moisture directly into the batter. This results in incredibly moist, juicy bars. It’s important to ensure the mixture cools to lukewarm before adding it to other ingredients, especially the egg, to avoid scrambling.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients Separately: Whisking the flour, baking soda, and spices together in a separate bowl ensures they are evenly distributed throughout the batter. This prevents pockets of unmixed leavening or concentrated spice flavors, guaranteeing a uniform taste and rise.
5. Avoid Overmixing the Batter: Once you combine the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until they are blended and no streaks of flour remain. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to tough, dense bars instead of the desired tender crumb.
6. Bake Until Golden Perfection: Bake for approximately 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bars comes out clean. The bars should be lightly golden brown around the edges. Keep an eye on them, as oven temperatures can vary.
7. Cool Completely Before Frosting: This step is absolutely crucial! Attempting to frost warm bars will result in a melted, runny, and messy frosting that won’t set properly. Allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack for at least 1-2 hours before applying any frosting.

The Art of Frosting: To Frost or Not to Frost?

The traditional old-fashioned raisin bar is often topped with a creamy, simple frosting. This adds an extra layer of sweetness and a delightful textural contrast that many find irresistible. However, the beauty of these bars is their versatility. While I thoroughly enjoyed the frosting, I’ve found that sometimes a simpler approach is equally rewarding, allowing the robust spice flavors to truly shine.

Classic Creamy Frosting (Included in Recipe)

Our recipe includes a wonderful creamy frosting made with melted butter, vanilla extract, confectioners’ sugar, and milk. It’s incredibly easy to whip up and spreads beautifully, providing a rich, smooth finish that complements the spiced bars perfectly. Remember to add milk one tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired spreading consistency – you want it thick enough to hold its shape but smooth enough to spread easily.

Alternative Toppings

For those who prefer a less sweet or simpler finish, or perhaps want to experiment, consider these delightful alternatives:

• Simple Powdered Sugar Dusting: A light, elegant sprinkle of confectioners’ sugar is a beautiful option that allows the bar’s natural flavors and spices to be the star. It’s quick, easy, and adds just a touch of sweetness.
• Powdered Sugar Glaze: A thin, pourable glaze made with powdered sugar and a touch of milk, cream, or even lemon juice (for a subtle tang) offers a delicate sweetness and a slight sheen. This can be drizzled over the cooled bars.
• No Frosting At All: These bars are so flavorful and moist on their own that they can be enjoyed plain. This is an excellent option if you’re serving them with coffee or tea, or if you simply prefer a less sweet treat.

Serving and Storing Your Raisin Bars

Once your Old Fashioned Raisin Bars are baked and frosted (if desired), it’s time to slice and enjoy! I typically cut them into classic bar shapes, but you can slice them into squares, triangles, or any size that suits your preference or the occasion. They’re delightful served slightly warm or at room temperature, making them incredibly versatile.

Serving Suggestions:

These versatile bars are perfect for a variety of occasions:

• Serve them alongside a warm cup of coffee, tea, or milk for a perfect afternoon pick-me-up or a cozy evening treat.
• Offer them as a comforting dessert after a family meal.
• Enjoy them as a quick and satisfying breakfast on the go, paired with fruit or yogurt.
• Pack them in lunchboxes for a wholesome and delicious treat for school or work.
• They make a wonderful addition to potlucks, bake sales, or holiday gatherings, always proving to be a crowd-pleaser.

Storage:

To maintain their freshness and moisture, store your Old Fashioned Raisin Bars in an airtight container at room temperature. They will remain wonderfully moist and flavorful for up to 4 days. If your kitchen is particularly warm, or if they are heavily frosted, you might consider refrigerating them. However, refrigeration can sometimes alter the texture of the bars slightly, making them a bit firmer.

Freezing:

These bars freeze beautifully, allowing you to enjoy a homemade treat whenever a craving strikes! For best results, I highly recommend freezing them without the frosting. Once completely cooled, wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw them overnight in the refrigerator, then frost as directed in the recipe, or simply dust with powdered sugar before serving.

If you’re a fan of baked goods with raisins, don’t miss our incredible Cinnamon Raisin Bread recipe!

Old Fashioned Raisin Bars Recipe

Old Fashioned Raisin Bars

Let these moist, flavorful bites take you back in time with their classic taste and comforting spices!

Course:
Brownies / Bars, Dessert

Cuisine:
American

Prep Time:
15 minutes

Cook Time:
25 minutes

Total Time:
40 minutes

Yields:
36 bars (approx.)

Author:
Don’t Sweat The Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp. ground allspice
• 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp. salt

For the Creamy Frosting:

• 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar)
• 2-4 Tbsp. milk, as needed for desired spreading consistency

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175°C). Line a 15½x10½x1-inch sheet pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. In a small saucepan, combine the 1 cup raisins and 1 cup water. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
3. Remove the saucepan from the heat immediately. Add the 1/2 cup butter to the hot raisin mixture and stir until it’s completely melted. Set aside and allow this mixture to cool to lukewarm. This step is crucial to prevent scrambling the egg later.
4. In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together the 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp. baking soda, 1 tsp. ground cinnamon, 1 tsp. ground allspice, 1/2 tsp. ground cloves, and 1/4 tsp. salt. Ensure all dry ingredients are well combined.
5. Once the raisin mixture has cooled to lukewarm, pour it into a large mixing bowl. Add the 1 cup granulated sugar and the 1 large egg. Beat with an electric mixer until all ingredients are thoroughly blended and smooth.
6. Gradually add the whisked dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed with the electric mixer until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter.
7. Pour the batter evenly into your prepared baking pan. Spread it gently to the edges using a spatula.
8. Bake for approximately 25 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the edges are golden brown.
9. Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool completely before frosting. This can take 1-2 hours.
10. To prepare the frosting: In a medium bowl, combine the 2 Tbsp. melted butter, 1 tsp. vanilla extract, and 1 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar. Gradually add 2-4 Tbsp. milk, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until you achieve a smooth, creamy consistency that is easy to spread.
11. Once the bars are completely cool, spread the frosting evenly over the top. Cut into bars or slices of your desired size. Enjoy your delicious homemade Old Fashioned Raisin Bars!

Notes

Yield: The final number of bars (approx. 36) will depend on how you slice them. A standard 15½x10½x1-inch pan typically yields 6×6 squares.

Storing: Place cooled and frosted bars in an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 4 days to maintain optimal freshness and moisture. For longer storage, see freezing instructions.

Freezing: For best results, freeze these raisin bars without the frosting. Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then frost as directed or dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Butter Type: While unsalted butter is generally preferred in baking to control salt content, salted butter can be used; just omit the added 1/4 tsp salt from the recipe ingredients.

Nutrition Information (per serving)

Calories: 110kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 83mg | Potassium: 43mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 108IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg

*Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Recipe adapted from RecipeCurio.com