Cleo's Raisin Filled Cookie Bars

Delight in the nostalgic charm of Cleo's Raisin Filled Cookie Bars, a comforting treat that combines buttery layers of cookie dough with a rich, spiced raisin filling. Perfectly golden and irresistibly tender, these bars are crafted with a cinnamon-infused raisin center that's thickened to a jam-like consistency for ultimate indulgence. The recipe features simple pantry staples like all-purpose flour, brown sugar, and vanilla, making it an accessible yet impressive dessert option. With a crumbly top layer and a soft, chewy base, these bars are a crowd-pleasing choice for bake sales, family gatherings, or afternoon snacks. Ready in under an hour and yielding 16 servings, this classic dessert is sure to become a household favorite. Serve as-is or pair with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra special touch!

Nutriscore Rating: 42/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 16

Ingredients

• 3 cups All-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons Baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Baking soda
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 1 cup Unsalted butter, softened
• 1.5 cups Granulated sugar
• 2 large Eggs
• 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
• 2 cups Raisins
• 1 cup Water
• 0.5 cup Brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon Cornstarch

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

Step 3

In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes using a hand or stand mixer.

Step 4

Add the eggs one at a time to the butter mixture, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Step 5

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until a smooth dough forms. Divide the dough into two portions, one slightly larger than the other.

Step 6

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the raisins, water, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 5-7 minutes until the raisins soften.

Step 7

In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the raisin mixture and cook for another 1-2 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and let the filling cool slightly.

Step 8

Using the larger portion of the dough, press it evenly into the prepared baking dish to create the bottom layer.

Step 9

Spread the raisin filling evenly over the bottom cookie layer.

Step 10

Take the smaller portion of the dough, break it into small pieces, and scatter them evenly over the filling to create a crumbly top layer.

Step 11

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.

Step 12

Remove from the oven and allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1690.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5704.2

Total Fat 205.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 125.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g
Cholesterol 888.7mg	0%
Sodium 3008.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 942.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 25.6g	0%
Total Sugars 608.1g
Protein 62.5g	0%

Vitamin D 82IU	0%
Calcium 478.2mg	0%
Iron 25.3mg	0%
Potassium 3117.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 31.6%

Protein: 4.3%

Carbs: 64.2%