Classic Oatmeal Scotchie Bars are soft, chewy oatmeal butterscotch cookie bars topped with sweet cinnamon frosting. You’ll love this updated take on an old fashioned favorite!
Looking for the perfect oatmeal scotchies recipe? I’ve got you covered with these original Oatmeal Scotchies! I even have a No Bake Oatmeal Scotchies recipe for those hot summer days.
Why this Recipe is Best
If you love oatmeal cookies, butterscotch and FROSTING, these Oatmeal Scotchie Bars are for you.
- A thick layer of cinnamon frosting takes Oatmeal Scotchie Bars to the next level!
- Each bar is loaded with butterscotch morsels and toasty, chewy oatmeal.
- This recipe is easy to make with no mess or fuss.
- You can serve these for dessert, then enjoy leftovers with your coffee the next morning. Cookie bars for breakfast? Yes, please!
Ingredient Notes
- Quick oats. You need the quick cooking (instant) oats for these bars! Do not use old fashioned oats. They are not as finely processed and will affect the texture. If you only have old fashioned oats, pulse a few times in a food processor before measuring.
- Unsalted butter. We use unsalted butter to control the salt levels in our recipes. If you only have salted butter, you can use it here instead. Just leave out the added kosher salt in the recipe.
- Butterscotch morsels. Also called “butterscotch chips”, you can find these in the baking aisle of your grocery store next to the chocolate chips.
- Vanilla Extract. Always choose pure vanilla (not the imitation stuff). Or make homemade vanilla extract and save money!
Easy Instructions
Make the batter.
Beat butter and sugars together until well blended. Beat in eggs and vanilla, followed by the dry ingredients. Fold in the butterscotch morsels.
Bake.
Press the thick cookie batter into a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for about 18 minutes.
Add the cinnamon frosting.
Beat butter with the whisk attachment of your electric mixer. When it’s pale and fluffy, beat in powdered sugar, salt, cinnamon.
Add milk, a little at a time, until your desired consistency is achieved.
Spread frosting over the cooled Oatmeal Scotchie Bars. Slice into squares and serve.
Tips and Tricks
- Want a thicker frosting? Add less milk. Want a thinner, more pourable frosting? Add more milk!
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They’re so hard to resist that they’re likely to get eaten well before then!
- I prefer these bars a little on the chewier side, so I take them out of the oven when they’re still a little soft. For a crunchier bar, you can leave them in a bit longer.
Recipe FAQs
We tested the recipe in a 15 x 10 x 1 inch baking sheet. Using a different sized pan will affect the baking time and the thickness of the oatmeal scotchie bars.
Yes, you can freeze these frosted or unfrosted! They’ll stay good in the freezer for about 2 months. The dough freezes well, too!
Yes, dark brown sugar will work too.
More Cookie Bar Recipes
- Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars...of course frosting and sprinkles make these even better!
- S’more Cookie Bars: grahams, marshmallows and chocolate in easy to eat cookie bars!
- Cranberry Pistachio Cookie Bars: soft and chewy cookie bars topped with a white chocolate drizzle!
- Chocolate Chip Toffee Fudge Bars
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Oatmeal Scotchie Bars
Ingredients
For the cookie bars:
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ¼ cup light brown sugar packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups quick oats
- 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 11 oz package Butterscotch morsels
For the frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch kosher salt
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 3 Tablespoons milk
Instructions
- For the bars, beat butter with sugars until blended. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Add oats, flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon and beat until combined. Fold in butterscotch morsels.
- Press cookie dough in a parchment paper lined 15 inch x 10 inch x 1 inch baking sheet. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 18-22 minutes (I prefer to make these a little on the undercooked side, staying near the 18 minute mark).
- Cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat butter in an electric mixer with whisk attachment for 3-5 minutes until pale in color. Add cinnamon, salt, powdered sugar and 2Tbsp milk. Beat an additional 3-5 minutes, adding more milk if necessary. Spread over cooled cookie bars. Cut and enjoy.
Notes
- Want a thicker frosting? Add less milk. Want a thinner, more pourable frosting? Add more milk!
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They’re so hard to resist that they’re likely to get eaten well before then!
- I prefer these bars a little on the chewier side, so I take them out of the oven when they’re still a little soft. For a crunchier bar, you can leave them in a bit longer.
Nutrition
The perfect oatmeal cookie, now in bar form! These Oatmeal Scotchie Bars are begging to be sliced, served and enjoyed with friends over a fresh cup of coffee.
I’m all about adding more brown sugar too, and the icing makes these even better!
I could definitely go for two or three of these little bars right now. They look delicious!
I bet the texture is great in these yummy looking bars!
I love that you added frosting!! Perfect.
I love oatmeal scotchies, too! I purposefully hooked my kids on them so I can make them more often. But I’m pretty sure they would flip over scotchies covered in this featherlight cinnamon frosting!
Love that thick layer of fluffy frosting!
Yum! I love oatmeal scotchies…it’s been way too long though since I have had one. And I puffy heart love that you topped yours with a layer of fluffy frosting!
That frosting is dreamy!
These look too good! I would eat the entire pan:)
So many of my favorite ingredients in these, oatmeal, butterscotch, yum!
THAT frosting! SO Fluffy! Looks so delish I can’t wait to indulge!
Butterscotch is an amazing ingredient. These bars look amazing. Pinned.
oatmeal is one of my favorite things in desserts, so this is right up my alley!
I have never had a scotchie bar before. I am seriously going to have to change that!
You’re so lucky! You moved away from great friends to great friends! And there’s frosting involved!
Love butterscotch with oatmeal, always. So irresistible!
these look so tempting!
I love oatmeal scotchies, Aimee! I have never thought to make them in bar form! love it!
I want to face plant in that frosting!!!
These are perfect…little frosted bars are my desert island food!
Glad you are settle in your new home and already baking!! Your new neighbors and all your friends are going to love all your treats! Love scotches, butterscotch is a favorite!
Thanks Tanya! I’m gonna miss driving with you, but hopefully we still go to the same trips!