Description
These fall cookie bars feature nutty brown butter, cinnamon spice, and chewy oats in a simple one-bowl recipe. They are foolproof, forgiving, and perfect for autumn baking.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter
- 2 cups (160g) old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (200g) packed brown sugar
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ cup (60g) chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- ½ cup (85g) dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
- Flaky sea salt for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the long sides, and lightly grease the parchment.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until the foam settles and the butter smells nutty with brown specks at the bottom (about 5-7 minutes). Immediately pour into a heat-safe bowl to stop cooking and let cool for 5 minutes until warm.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk the brown sugar and granulated sugar together. Add the warm brown butter and whisk vigorously for about a minute until the sugars begin to dissolve.
- Add the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg to the wet mixture. Stir with a spatula until just combined.
- Fold in the oats and any optional mix-ins (nuts, chocolate chips) until evenly distributed. The dough will be stiff.
- Press the dough firmly and evenly into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center looks set.
- Let the bars cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes. Lift out using the parchment overhang and let cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.
- Sprinkle with flaky sea salt if desired before serving.
Notes
Do not burn the butter; remove from heat as soon as it smells nutty. Ensure the butter is warm, not hot, before adding oats to prevent them from getting mushy. Press the dough firmly into the pan to ensure the bars hold together. These bars taste better the next day and can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 16
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
Keywords: fall cookie bars, brown butter, cinnamon spice, oat bars, easy dessert, one-bowl recipe, autumn baking