Stephanie'S Snack Bars
Sweet and chewy snack bars packed with oats, raisins, chocolate chips, and cinnamon, perfect for a quick treat or lunchbox addition for kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter ⓘ
- 1/2 cup peanut butter ⓘ
- 1 cup sugar ⓘ
- a little honey ⓘ
- 1 egg ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon vanilla ⓘ
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 cups oatmeal
- 1 cup flour ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon ⓘ
- raisins ⓘ
- chocolate chips ⓘ
- candied cherries (optional) ⓘ
- 1 cup shortening ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups sugar ⓘ
- 3 eggs ⓘ
- 4 1/2 cups flour ⓘ
Instructions
- Prepare your sugar cookie dough following your preferred recipe, involving creaming butter and sugar, adding eggs and vanilla, then mixing in flour, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon.
- Roll out the cookie dough to fit your baking pan and press it firmly into the bottom.
- Bake the cookie crust at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-12 minutes until lightly golden.
- While the crust cools, melt the butter and peanut butter together, then mix in sugar, honey, and water.
- Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
- Combine oatmeal, flour, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon in a separate bowl and gradually add to wet mixture.
- Mix in raisins, chocolate chips, and candied cherries if using.
- Spread the mixture evenly over the cooled cookie crust in the baking pan.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for an additional 20-25 minutes until set and golden.
- Let cool completely before cutting into bars and serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a twist, consider using almond butter instead of peanut butter, or swapping out raisins for dried cranberries. You can also reduce the sugar by using natural sweeteners like maple syrup. If you want a gluten-free option, substitute the flour with almond flour or oat flour. Make sure to check the consistency of the mixture; it should be thick but spreadable.
Serving Suggestions
These snack bars are delicious on their own but can be served with a dollop of yogurt or a scoop of ice cream for dessert. They also pair beautifully with a cup of coffee or tea. For a more substantial snack, serve alongside Broccoli Potato Caesar Salad to balance the sweetness.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover snack bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to 2 weeks. To reheat, place a bar in the microwave for 10-15 seconds until warm, or enjoy them cold for a refreshing treat.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Stephanie'S Snack Bars contains roughly 1043 calories, with 23g protein, 87g carbohydrates, and 68g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (47% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (28% of the Daily Value), and iron (27% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 681mg per serving (30% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these snack bars vegan?
Yes, you can make these bars vegan by substituting the egg with a flaxseed meal or chia seed mixture (1 tablespoon of seeds mixed with 2.5 tablespoons of water for each egg). Use a plant-based butter and ensure the chocolate chips are dairy-free.
What can I use instead of shortening?
If you prefer not to use shortening, you can substitute it with an equal amount of coconut oil or an extra 1/2 cup of butter. Both options will provide a similar texture while adding a different flavor profile to the bars.
How do I know when the bars are done baking?
The bars are done when they are set in the center and have a golden color around the edges. You can also insert a toothpick in the center; if it comes out clean or with a few crumbs, they are ready to be taken out of the oven.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).