Raisin Bars Recipe

These raisin bars are a classic Amish dessert made with a buttery oatmeal crumb crust and a rich, tangy sour cream raisin filling. The sweet raisin mixture is simmered until thick, then sandwiched between layers of soft, golden crumbs for a nostalgic treat that's both chewy and tender.

Perfect with a cup of coffee or milk, these old-fashioned sour cream raisin bars are a comforting, from-scratch recipe that tastes just like something from Grandma's kitchen.

Why You'll Love These Amish Raisin Bars

• Perfect Balance of Sweet and Chewy: These old-fashioned raisin bars have just the right amount of natural sweetness from the raisins, paired with a chewy, tender texture that keeps you coming back for more.
• Nostalgic Comfort Food: They remind you of classic homemade treats -simple, wholesome, and filled with a cozy, old-fashioned charm.
• Easy to Make: With straightforward ingredients and simple steps, they're great for bakers of any skill level. No fancy tools or techniques needed!
• Great for Anytime Snacking: Whether you need a quick breakfast on-the-go, a satisfying afternoon pick-me-up, or a lunchbox treat, these raisin squares fit the bill.
• Customizable: You can easily add nuts, spices like cinnamon or nutmeg, or even swap raisins for other dried fruits to make them your own.
• Kid-Approved: Kids love their chewy, sweet flavor - perfect for school snacks or after-school treats.
• Makes a Generous Batch: Ideal for sharing, gifting, or stocking your freezer for when you need a quick homemade snack.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cream the butter and brown sugar:
   • In a large bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar together until well creamed. (Use softened butter for easier creaming with the brown sugar - this helps create a light, tender crumb.)
2. Add dry ingredients:
   • Gradually mix in the flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until the mixture forms a crumbly dough. (Don't overmix once you add the dry ingredients; mix just until combined to keep the crumbs tender.)
3. Reserve crumbs for topping:
   • Set aside about 2 cups of the crumb mixture for the topping.
4. Bake the crust:
   • Press the remaining crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of a greased 9x13-inch baking pan (affiliate link). Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes, until lightly golden.
5. Prepare the raisin filling:
   • While the crust bakes, combine sugar, clear jel (or cornstarch), sour cream, egg yolks, and raisins in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, for 5 to 8 minutes until thickened.
6. Assemble the bars:
   • Pour the raisin filling evenly over the baked crust.
7. Add crumb topping:
   • Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture evenly over the filling and lightly press it into the filling.
8. Final bake:
   • Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 15 minutes until the topping is golden and set.
9. Cool and serve:
   • Let the bars cool completely before cutting into squares. (Cool completely before slicing to avoid the filling running or bars falling apart.)

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use old-fashioned oats instead of quick oats?
   • Yes, you can substitute old-fashioned oats, but the texture will be a bit chewier and possibly more crumbly. Quick oats give the bars a softer, more uniform texture, which works really well in this recipe.
2. Can I use other dried fruit instead of raisins?
   • Absolutely! Dried cranberries, chopped dates, or chopped dried apricots would all be great substitutes.
3. Can I make these bars gluten-free?
   • Yes. Use a gluten-free flour blend and gluten-free oats. The texture may vary slightly, but they should still hold together.
4. Do sour cream raisin bars need to be refrigerated?
   • They can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for a day or two, however, they hold up better when refrigerated.
5. Can I freeze raisin bars?
   • Absolutely! These raisin bars with sour cream hold up great in the freezer, and freezing them is an excellant way to keep them fresh longer. Once completely cooled, freeze them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Just layer with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

More Old-Fashioned Favorites

• Oatmeal Cake with Coconut Pecan Topping
• Old-Fashioned Cherry Delight
• Amish Apple Goodie (Apple Crisp)
• Caramel Dumplings
• Egg Custard
• Cornstarch Pudding
• Amish Peanut Butter Cookies
• Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Balls

More Recipes With Raisins

• Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
• Iced Raisin Bread
• Amish Raisin-Filled Cookies
• Amish Raisin Cream Pie
• PA Dutch Rice Pudding

Whether you're craving a nostalgic treat or baking for a crowd, these dessert bars with raisins bring the perfect blend of sweet, creamy filling and buttery crumb topping. They're an old-fashioned favorite that's stood the test of time. Give them a try and enjoy a slice of vintage comfort in every bite!

If you try this raisin bar recipe, I'd love it if you left a comment and star rating below. Thank you!

Check out my YouTube channel at My Amish Heritage

*I use clear jel to thicken this sour cream raisin filling, Clear jel is typically used to thicken fruit pies, however, it is hard to find in stores. So, unless you have an Amish or Mennonite bulk food store close-by, you may have to buy it online. I am leaving an affiliate link here where you can purchase it.