Transform One Cup Of Oatmeal Into A Heavenly Treat Made For Breakfast Or Dessert

From blueberry baked oatmeal to our PB and banana oatmeal breakfast cookies, a cup of dry oats is often the beginning of a surprisingly impressive treat. Such is the case with another deceptively simple recipe: iced oatmeal cookie bars. This treat translates the flavor profile of classic oatmeal cookies into a thick, soft, toothy chew. The cup of dry oats is simply folded into a wet batter, then baked. As they bake, the dry oats soak up the wet ingredients for a cohesive texture that's dense enough to satisfy. The result is layered tastes and a biscotti-esque flavor profile, warming spices rounded out by the richness of the sweet vanilla glaze on top (swoon). 

To make these quick iced oatmeal cookie bars, beat together melted butter, flour, baking soda, cinnamon, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, honey, and an egg to form a creamy batter. Then, fold in the cup of old-fashioned oats, transfer the whole thing to a greased baking dish, and pop it in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for roughly 15 to 20 minutes, or until the center has set. That's it. Just take care not to overbake to avoid a dried-out oatmeal texture. To customize the flavor of these bars, you could swap the honey for maple syrup or dark molasses. Or try adding mix-ins like golden raisins, dried cranberries, chopped walnuts, or butterscotch chips and a pinch of salt. 

Once they've fully cooled, top these bars with a simple icing made from powdered sugar, milk, and a splash of vanilla. The icing can be criss-cross drizzled across the surface of the uncut bars using a piping bag, or spread using a rubber spatula for a thicker coating and more sweetness in every bite. For the cleanest presentation, allow the icing to set for 20 minutes before slicing.

Not too sweet, these iced oatmeal cookie bars make a perfectly portable breakfast for busy weekday mornings. Just one cup of raw oats offers 10 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber, promoting long-lasting fullness throughout the day. They could also be served as part of a more elaborate weekend brunch spread alongside counterbalancing savory dishes, like this cheesy sausage breakfast casserole. 

Alternatively, these iced oatmeal cookie bars would also make a satisfying dessert after a cozy meal of soup, stew, or warming spiced pot roast. You could even dunk them in a hot cup of coffee, biscotti-style, for an extra luscious texture. Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they'll retain their quality for three to five days.