Old-Fashioned Iced Raisin Spice Bars: A Timeless Comfort Dessert Recipe
Discover the magic of perfectly spiced, pillowy soft cake-like bars, brimming with plump raisins and crunchy walnuts. This incredible old-fashioned Iced Raisin Spice Bars recipe promises to become a cherished family favorite, evoking nostalgic warmth with every bite.
This delightful spice cake with raisins recipe is more than just a dessert; it’s a journey back to simpler times. Imagine a warm, cozy kitchen filled with the inviting aroma of cinnamon and baking, reminiscent of cherished moments spent baking with Grandma. If her culinary prowess made even complex recipes seem effortless, you’ll be thrilled to discover just how incredibly simple yet rewarding this dessert truly is. Preparing these moist and flavorful raisin bar cookies will undoubtedly create new, beautiful memories with your loved ones, becoming a treasured tradition.
Customization is key when it comes to these versatile raisin spice bars. While they are phenomenal on their own, you can elevate them further with a rich cream cheese frosting for a touch of decadence, or opt for a simple, elegant dusting of powdered sugar for a more understated sweetness. For the ultimate nostalgic experience, serve these glazed raisin bars alongside a tall, cold glass of milk – pure comfort in every bite. Within approximately 30 minutes, you’ll have a batch of incredibly moist raisin bars, each infused with the harmoniously blended, warm flavors of brown sugar, aromatic cinnamon, and toasted walnuts.
There’s something uniquely comforting about classic dessert bar recipes. They are often straightforward to make, feed a crowd, and deliver unparalleled flavor. Beyond these spiced raisin delights, I also adore these Pumpkin Pie Bars baked on a Shortbread Crust, which offer a delightful seasonal twist, and these decadent Seven Layer Cookie Bars, packed with layers of sweet goodness. These recipes truly showcase the best of home baking.
The Story Behind This Beloved Iced Raisin Spice Bar Recipe
Every cherished recipe often carries a story, and these Iced Raisin Spice Bars are no exception. Before my daughter and son-in-law exchanged vows, they attended a family gathering on his side, where his Great Aunt presented them with a treasure trove of vintage recipes. My daughter, knowing my passion for baking and my appreciation for time-honored dishes, thoughtfully passed the collection on to me. Among the many enticing cards, this particular spice bar recipe, with its promise of warmth and comfort, immediately caught my eye. I’d been eager to try it ever since, and finally, the time came!
This specific recipe card dates back to a bygone era, December of 1968, meticulously typed out on a distinctive blue index card. It bears the intriguing inscription “Metropolitan Utilities District,” the name of our local gas company here in Omaha. It’s a charming detail that suggests it might have been included as a promotional insert within one of her utility bills – a wonderful piece of culinary history! The original instructions were, as expected for such vintage recipes, quite brief. The sole baking guidance stated simply, “bake in a GAS oven.” This ambiguity allowed for a bit of experimentation, which proved to be a delightful journey. The result? These bars are, in a word, incredible. Even my own children, who typically shy away from raisins, absolutely devoured them, a testament to their irresistible flavor and texture.
The Secret to Perfect Raisin Spice Bars: Soaking Raisins Before Baking
A fundamental element that elevates these spiced raisin bars from good to extraordinary is the unique method of soaking the raisins before incorporating them into the batter. This particular recipe calls for a flavorful mixture of hot, strong black coffee infused with aromatic cinnamon. The process is simple yet transformative: as the raisins gently soak in this spiced coffee mixture, they rehydrate and plump up beautifully, becoming incredibly juicy and tender. This occurs while you expertly combine the other batter ingredients, ensuring they’re ready just when you need them.
What makes this technique truly special is how the cinnamon-infused coffee isn’t just for soaking. It’s then alternately added with the dry ingredients into the main batter, contributing to the bars’ depth of flavor and moist texture. The plumped raisins are stirred in just before baking. It’s important to note that despite the coffee, these bars do not taste distinctly like coffee. Instead, the rich, warm notes of cinnamon truly shine through, beautifully complemented by the coffee, which provides a subtle yet significant depth of flavor without overpowering the overall profile. This strategic soaking ensures every bite is bursting with flavor and a delightful texture, preventing the raisins from drying out during baking and instead making them wonderfully soft and succulent.
Essential Ingredients for Your Delectable Iced Raisin Bars
To create these incredibly satisfying Iced Raisin Spice Bars, you’ll need a thoughtful selection of ingredients, each playing a crucial role in achieving their signature taste and texture:
- Raisins: The undeniable star of this recipe! Raisins contribute natural sweetness, a chewy texture, and a wonderful depth of flavor. For an intriguing visual and taste contrast, I often use a mix of both dark and golden raisins, but you can certainly opt for either type exclusively – the choice is entirely yours. Their plumpness after soaking is key to the bars’ moistness.
- Ground Cinnamon: This warm spice is absolutely essential, providing that characteristic “spice” flavor that perfectly complements the raisins. Cinnamon adds a sweetly spicy kick and a comforting aroma that fills your kitchen. Beyond its delightful taste, cinnamon is also known for its beneficial nutrients and antioxidants.
- Hot Black Coffee: Don’t let the coffee deter you; its robust flavor is surprisingly versatile. It serves a dual purpose here: first, to plump up the raisins, making them incredibly juicy, and second, to balance out the sweetness of the bars while adding a complex depth of flavor without tasting distinctly like coffee.
- Shortening: The use of shortening is critical for achieving a wonderfully smooth, tender, and manageable batter. Unlike butter, shortening helps create a softer crumb, contributing significantly to the melt-in-your-mouth texture of these cake-like bars.
- Brown Sugar: A hero in many baked goods, brown sugar is vital for imparting a rich, caramel-like sweetness and, importantly, extra moisture into the baking process. Its molasses content ensures a moist and tender result.
- Eggs: Eggs act as a binder, giving the bars their structure, while also contributing to a deliciously chewy and soft texture. They add richness and help emulsify the batter for a consistent bake.
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our bar recipe, all-purpose flour provides the necessary structure and body, ensuring these bars achieve their wonderful, appealing texture.
- Baking Soda: A crucial leavening agent, baking soda reacts with acidic ingredients (like brown sugar or even the coffee) to help these bars rise beautifully, resulting in a lighter, airy crumb.
- Nuts (Optional): For those who appreciate a delightful textural contrast, adding about 1/2 cup of chopped nuts is highly recommended. Walnuts are a classic choice and what I typically use, but pecans also offer a delicious, complementary flavor and crunch.
The original recipe offered minimalist guidance: “frost with a powdered sugar glaze.” While simple, I found myself drawn to the luscious icing I use on my Old Fashioned Molasses Cookies. It’s truly exceptional, so I decided to adapt it for these bars!
FOR THE ICING:
- Powdered Sugar: The base for our smooth, delectable icing. When mixed with liquid, it creates a perfectly consistent and sweet topping for cakes, cookies, and, of course, these delightful sweet bars.
- Cream: Combined with the powdered sugar, cream creates a rich, creamy, and spreadable frosting. These topping ingredients are carefully balanced to create a truly classic dessert experience – sweet, but never overly sugary or cloying.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Old-Fashioned Iced Raisin Spice Bars
Crafting these nostalgic raisin spice bars is a straightforward and enjoyable process. Follow these detailed steps to ensure perfectly baked, wonderfully moist, and beautifully iced treats every time. Remember to consult the full recipe card below for precise measurements and additional tips!
STEP 1: PREHEAT THE OVEN & PREP RAISINS
Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). While the oven heats, prepare your baking pan: generously grease a jelly roll pan, typically measuring 10 1/2″ x 15 1/2″, and set it aside. This ensures your bars won’t stick and will release easily after baking.
In a separate small bowl, combine your raisins with the ground cinnamon, then pour the hot black coffee over them. Stir gently to ensure all raisins are submerged. Allow this mixture to sit for approximately 10 minutes. This crucial step softens and plumps the raisins, infusing them with the warm cinnamon and coffee notes, which contributes significantly to the bars’ moistness and flavor.
STEP 2: CREAM THE WET INGREDIENTS
In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer (either a stand mixer or a hand mixer), cream together the shortening and brown sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined. This process incorporates air, contributing to the cake-like texture of the bars. Next, beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition until the batter is smooth and airy.
STEP 3: COMBINE DRY INGREDIENTS & ADD COFFEE MIXTURE
STEP 3: COMBINE DRY INGREDIENTS & ADD COFFEE MIXTUREIn a separate medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour and baking soda. Sifting helps to aerate the flour and ensures there are no lumps, leading to a smoother batter.
Now, carefully separate the coffee liquid from the soaked raisins. You’ll add the liquid to the batter in stages. Alternate adding small portions of the coffee liquid and the flour mixture to the creamed shortening and sugar mixture. Begin and end with the flour mixture. Mix gently after each addition, just until combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough bars.
Once all the liquid and flour are incorporated, gently fold in the plumped raisins and chopped nuts (if using) by hand with a spatula. This gentle approach ensures the raisins are evenly distributed without bruising them or overworking the batter. Finally, spread the batter evenly into your prepared jelly roll pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
STEP 4: BAKE THE RAISIN SPICED BARS & PREPARE ICING
Bake the bars in the preheated oven for approximately 15 minutes. Baking time can vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep an eye on them. The bars are ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with only moist crumbs attached. While the bars are baking, it’s the perfect time to prepare your simple yet delicious icing.
For the icing, combine the powdered sugar and cream in a small bowl. Whisk or stir them together thoroughly until the mixture is completely smooth and free of lumps. The consistency should be pourable yet thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
STEP 5: COOL & ICE
Once the bars are out of the oven, allow them to cool in the pan for just a couple of minutes – they should still be warm to the touch. This slight cooling helps the bars set slightly but keeps them warm enough for the icing to spread beautifully and absorb just a touch, creating a lovely glaze. Generously spread the prepared icing over the warm bars. The warmth of the bars will slightly melt the icing, creating a smooth, glossy finish that sets perfectly as they cool completely.
Tips for Perfect Raisin Spice Bars Every Time
To ensure your Iced Raisin Spice Bars turn out perfectly every single time, consider these helpful tips:
- Accurate Measuring: Baking is a science! Always measure your ingredients precisely, especially flour (level it off with a straight edge) and shortening.
- Don’t Overmix: After adding the flour mixture, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops gluten, which can lead to tough, dry bars.
- Quality Raisins: Fresh, plump raisins make a difference. If yours seem a bit dry, the coffee soak will revive them beautifully.
- Even Spreading: Ensure the batter is spread evenly in the pan for uniform baking and consistent texture across all bars.
- Icing Consistency: If your icing is too thick, add a tiny bit more cream (1/2 teaspoon at a time) until it reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, whisk in a little more powdered sugar.
- Warm Icing: Icing the bars while they are still slightly warm allows the glaze to melt slightly and adhere beautifully, creating that signature finish.
Enjoy these delightful bars! They are truly versatile, making a wonderful accompaniment to your morning coffee for a special breakfast, a satisfying dessert bar after any meal, or a comforting snack cake at any time of day. Their rich flavor and moist texture make them universally appealing.
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Don’t let this fantastic recipe for Raisin Spiced Bars slip away! Be sure to save it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you navigate away from this page. Pinning makes it incredibly easy to find again whenever that craving for a warm, spiced, and nostalgic treat strikes!
How to Store Your Delicious Spice Bars & Maximizing Freshness
If by some miracle your family hasn’t devoured every last crumb of these deliciously sweet treats immediately, proper storage will ensure they remain fresh and delightful for as long as possible. These Iced Raisin Spice Bars can be stored, covered tightly, in the refrigerator for up to one week. The cool environment helps maintain their moistness and extends their shelf life, making them a perfect make-ahead dessert or snack. For best results, allow them to come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving to fully appreciate their soft texture and rich flavors.
Hungry for More Sweet Treats? Explore Our Dessert Collection!
If these Iced Raisin Spice Bars have awakened your sweet tooth, you’re in luck! My website is brimming with an endless array of delectable desserts, classic cookies, rich brownies, and comforting bar recipes. Here are just a few of my personal favorites that I believe you’ll absolutely love:
- Apple Bars Made with Canned Apples: A wonderfully convenient and flavorful treat.
- Chocolate Orange Fudge: A sophisticated twist on classic fudge, bursting with citrus notes.
- Graham Cracker Toffee: An addictive, easy-to-make confection that disappears quickly.
- S’Mores Cookie Bars: All the fun of s’mores without the campfire!
- Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting: A moist and spiced classic, perfected in bar form.
- Lemon Brownies: Bright and zesty, a refreshing change from traditional brownies.
- White Chocolate Cream Cheese Fudge: A smooth, creamy, and irresistible indulgence.
- Fresh Orange Bars: Vibrant citrus flavor packed into a delightful bar.
- Grandma Jane’s Oatmeal Raisin Cookies: If you love raisins, these classic cookies are a must-try!
Now that you’re equipped with all the knowledge and inspiration, it’s time to gather your ingredients and bake some unforgettable old-fashioned iced raisin spice bars! Your kitchen (and your taste buds) will thank you. 
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Print Recipe
Raisin Spice Bars
Equipment
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Rubber Spatulas (for folding and spreading)
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Offset Spatula Set with 6, 8, 10 Inch Stainless Steel Blades (ideal for smooth icing application)
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Kitchenaid Stand Mixer (makes creaming butter and sugar effortless)
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KitchenAid Hand Mixer (a versatile alternative for mixing)
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15 x 10 x 1-Inch Cookie/Jelly Roll Pan (the perfect size for these bars)
Ingredients
- FOR THE BARS:
- 1 cup raisins (dark, golden, or a mix)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¾ cup hot black coffee (strong brew recommended)
- ⅔ cup shortening
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup chopped nuts (optional, walnuts or pecans recommended for best flavor and crunch)
- FOR THE ICING:
- 1 ¼ cup powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar)
- 3 Tablespoons heavy cream (or milk for a thinner glaze)
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 C). Grease a 10 1/2″ x 15 1/2″ jelly roll pan thoroughly and set it aside.
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In a small bowl, combine the raisins and ground cinnamon. Pour the hot black coffee over them, stir, and let the raisins soak for about 10 minutes to plump up.
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Using an electric mixer, cream together the shortening and brown sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition until fully incorporated.
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In a separate medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour and baking soda.
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Drain the coffee liquid from the plumped raisins, reserving the liquid.
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Alternate adding the reserved coffee liquid and the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix on low speed just until everything is combined and no dry streaks of flour remain; avoid overmixing.
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Gently fold in the plumped raisins and chopped nuts (if using) by hand with a spatula until evenly distributed.
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Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking sheet, smoothing the top.
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Bake for 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bars comes out clean.
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While the bars are baking, prepare the icing: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cream until completely smooth and of a pourable consistency.
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Allow the baked bars to cool in the pan for just a few minutes until they are still warm to the touch. Generously spread the icing over the warm bars. Let them cool completely before slicing for the best results.