Iced Oatmeal Bars

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With five kiddos (all of whom have sweet tooths), dinnertime is almost immediately followed by a request for dessert in my home. While dessert isn’t possible every night, I do like to make one dessert every week for my family. Sometimes it will last a few days, but most of the time, it’s devoured in the first night. These iced oatmeal bars were delicious, but filling enough that they lasted a few days!

Why You’ll Love These Iced Oatmeal Bars

There’s something nostalgic about an iced oatmeal treat. They remind me of the classic oatmeal cookies I used to enjoy as a kid, but in bar form. They’re easy to make and perfect for slicing into generous squares. The combination of warm cinnamon, chewy oats, and a sweet glaze makes these bars a comforting and satisfying dessert (or even a sneaky afternoon snack with coffee!).

The Perfect Texture for an Oatmeal Dessert

What I love most about these iced oatmeal bars is their texture. The oats give them a hearty bite, while the icing on top adds just the right amount of sweetness. They’re soft yet sturdy enough to pack in lunchboxes or enjoy as an on-the-go treat. Plus, they store beautifully, which means my family can enjoy them for a few days (if they last that long)!

How to Customize Your Iced Oatmeal Bars

These bars also make a great option for bake sales, potlucks, or meal trains. They’re easy to transport, slice, and serve, and they have that homemade, old-fashioned charm that makes people come back for seconds. You can even customize them with add-ins like:

• Chopped nuts for extra crunch
• Dried fruit like raisins or cranberries for a little chew
• And the ultimate oatmeal addition: chocolate chips

Make Ahead & Storage Tips

If you’re looking for a simple, kid-pleasing dessert that doesn’t require rolling or scooping individual cookies, these iced oatmeal bars are a must-try. Plus, they store well for a few days in an airtight container (I love these ones from Amazon), making them perfect for garbbing on the go.

I’ll share the recipe below so you can make them for your family too. Let me know if they last longer than a night in your house!

Iced Oatmeal Bars

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Ingredients

  

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted & slighty cooled
• 1 cup old fashioned oats
• 1 cup + 2 tbsp flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
• 1 egg room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tbsp molasses or honey

Vanilla Icing

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1-2 tbsp milk
• 1/4 tsp vanilla

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
• Melt butter and transfer to a medium size bowl. Set aside to cool. Meanwhile, pulse oats in a food processor. Do not pulse so much that the oats become flour.
• In separate bowl, whisk together pulsed oats, flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Set aside.
• To the bowl with the melted butter, add sugar and brown sugar. Mix on low for one minute. Mixture will resemble wet sand.
• Add the egg, then the vanilla and molasses. Mix to combine well.
• Add the dry ingredients to the butter and sugar mixture. Use a large spatula or to fold the mixture together just until the flour is incorporated. Do not over mix.
• Transfer dough to prepared baking pan. Bake for 20 to 24 minutes or until the edges are set and the top is golden brown. Do not over bake or the cookie bars will be dry.
• Remove the bars from the oven and cool in the pan on a wire cooling rack. Be sure the bars are cool to the touch before adding the icing.

Vanilla Icing

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla until thick but smooth. The icing should not be too runny. If too thin, add more powdered sugar one tablespoon at a time.
• Use a spoon to spread the icing over the tops of the bars, leaving small bits of the cookie bars peeking through.
• Allow the icing to set for about an hour and then slice and serve.