Thursday, March 24, 2011

[Cookie 102] Raisin Bars

DSC_0120

I hate blogging. I like baking, I like baking all these cookies, I like sharing them, I like you readers (most of you), and I like taking pictures, but I don't like updating this thing. I mean seriously, does anyone actually like to do that? Okay, I guess a lot of people.

Forgive me. And you will, once you make these Raisin Bars.

DSC_0094
DSC_0104
DSC_0105

Some notes: The filling is really rad, but would be even radder if you used figs or prunes. Or a combination. Remember these fig bars? They had the most amazing filling, with red wine, honey, and (duh) figs. That would taste pretty damn good in this oatmeal crust. Probz better than the fig bar pastry crust, which was mediocre.

DSC_0112

Hope you are having a nice spring! More posts, more often, I promise. I make no promise on the quality or attitude of them.

P.S. Just read over some old posts. Not sure if I should feel hideously embarrassed about this whole blog and my writing, or proud of my sharp tongue and slick wit. I'm going to go with the former.

DSC_0117

Raisin Bars
Makes 16 wimpy, or 9 fatty squares

Ingredients

  • Unsalted butter, softened, for baking sheet
  • 2 cups raisins (about 13 ounces)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup apple cider
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons coarse salt
  • 1 1/4 cups vegetable shortening
  • 1 1/4 cups packed light-brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 10-by-15-inch rimmed baking sheet. Line bottom with parchment paper, and butter parchment; set sheet aside.

  2. Make filling: Pulse raisins and sugar in a food processor until almost pureed. Transfer to a saucepan. Whisk cornstarch into 1 cup cold water; whisk into raisin mixture. Stir in cider. Simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens and sugar has dissolved, about 6 minutes.
    Let cool completely.

  3. Make dough: Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside. Put shortening in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed until smooth. Add brown sugar, and mix until pale and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add egg and vanilla, and mix until combined. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture; mix until just combined. Mix in oats.

  4. Press half the dough into prepared baking sheet. Spread raisin filling evenly over top of dough. Crumble remaining dough on top of filling using your fingers, gently pressing down so that topping covers filling. Bake, rotating sheet halfway through, until top is golden brown, about 35 minutes. Let cool completely in sheet on a wire rack. Cut into 2-inch
    squares. Bars can be stored between layers of parchment in airtight containers at room temperature up to 5 days.


****
{End Results}
Baking Difficultly: 3/5
Ingredient Accessibility: 4/5
Tastiness: 4/5
Attractiveness: 2.5/5
Is it worth it?: Yeah bro

{Pairings}
Drink: Apple cider
Song: Friday -- Rebecca Black (no link, I'm not that mean--just trying to keep up with pop culture here!)
Activity: Write my blog 4 me cuz i am lazee

15 comments:

Ellie @ Kitchen Wench said...

That looks totally delightful and like it'd make a great snack to take to school or work! I do like the idea of adding some dried figs to the filling...but then again, I'm a sucker for anything with fig :)

Sarah Abreu said...

Wow! I'll certainly try them! So yummy!!! Congrats!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for taking one for the team...I love your blog! xo

leticia said...

hey! you have many readers that really like your blog! :) please, continue blogging!!!

you have fans from Brazil! http://technicolorkitchen.blogspot.com/2010/05/cookies-de-chocolate-ao-leite.html

Hitchcock Butterfield Mirrors said...

I love your blog. The recipe's are really the best. I love it!

Anonymous said...

yo WHERE are da new cookies AT?!

kotryna said...

oh i wish such a thing like telepathic Lizzie blog exists... would you send us some telepathic cookies?? okay, i made these today. very cosy / autumny :) BUT i still be waiting for your last top 10!! you know, i bake almost everything with you an i just love comparing the results!

Rosita Vargas said...

Exquisita receta muy bien elaborada me encantó,me gustan mucho tus recetas ,me quedo en tu linda cocina,te invito a mi cocina de comidas y dulces de chile,cariños y abrazos.

Kitchens Manchester said...

this is my favorite food amazing i like it so very much nice very nice

Adriana said...

oh god. can i please eat this with vanilla ice cream and have the most pleasurable death ever? delicious!

Getting a Restaurant Job said...

Uhmmm I wanna try this recipe...yumyum! Thanks!

mushroom recipes said...

Useful information shared LIZZIE..Iam very happy to read this raisin bars post

Anonymous said...

didn't you miss baking yet???

:(

Getting a Restaurant Job said...

It looks delicious thanks for sharing this recipe to us :)

Art Cafe said...

They look fantastic. I have a 2.5 year old daughter that love to bake with me at the moment so will print this recipe out and enjoy baking them with her on Saturday. Should be a nice and healthy snack for her to eat during the week too.