If you love vintage recipes, these Old Fashioned Raisin Cake Bars deserve a spot in your recipe box. They’re soft, lightly spiced, and filled with plump raisins, then finished with a simple sweet glaze.
Even though they’re called bars, they’re moist and cake-like treats. Old-fashioned raisin bars are perfect for church potlucks, family gatherings, holidays, or anytime. One bite makes it easy to see why the recipe has been passed down for generations.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft and moist. More like a lightly spiced cake than a traditional bar.
- Made with pantry staples. No fancy ingredients required.
- Easy to make. Simple steps and one 9 x 13-inch pan.
- Perfect for sharing. Great for potlucks, holidays, and family gatherings.
- A timeless classic. An old-fashioned recipe that’s stood the test of time.
Ingredients
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg slightly beaten
- 1¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon allspice
- ¼ teaspoon cloves
Optional Glaze: 1½ cups powdered sugar, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon, and about 2 tablespoons milk (or enough to reach your desired consistency).
Directions
Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves. Set aside.
Step 2: In a saucepan, combine the raisins and water. Bring to a boil, then remove from the heat. Stir in the butter and sugar until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved. Cool to lukewarm. Stir in the egg.
Step 3: Pour the raisin mixture into the flour mixture and stir with a spoon just until combined.
Step 4: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking dish. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the bars are set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.
Step 5 (Optional): If desired, dust with powdered sugar or spread glaze over the top.
Variations and Substitutions
- Use butter, shortening, or a neutral oil (like vegetable or canola oil). This recipe works well with any of the three.
- Add nuts. Pecans or walnuts both work well.
- Try more warm spices. Add a pinch of ginger for a slightly different flavor.
- Use golden raisins. They create a slightly milder, sweeter flavor.
- Add orange zest. A teaspoon of finely grated orange zest pairs nicely with the spices.
Helpful Tips
- Let the raisin mixture cool first. It should be warm, not hot, before you stir in the egg.
- Don’t overmix. Stir just until everything is combined for the best texture.
- Expect the raisins to settle. Most of the raisins will sink toward the bottom during baking. That’s normal for this vintage recipe, so don’t worry if yours do the same.
- Cool before glazing. The glaze sets up much better on completely cooled bars.
- Store in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh at room temperature for several days.
Old-Fashioned Raisin Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg slightly beaten
- 1¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon allspice
- ¼ teaspoon cloves
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray or line with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves. Set aside.
- In a saucepan, combine the raisins and water. Bring to a boil, then remove from the heat. Stir in the butter and sugar until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved. Cool to lukewarm. Stir in the egg.
- Pour the raisin mixture into the flour mixture and stir just until combined.
- Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking dish. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cake springs back and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.
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