Granny Mabel’s Best Bar Cookies: Recipes and Baking Secrets

Bar cookies, a delightful intersection of ease and deliciousness, offer a comforting treat without the fuss of individual shaping. Among the myriad of bar cookie recipes, Granny Mabel’s collection stands out for its simplicity, heartwarming flavors, and guaranteed crowd-pleasing results. This blog post is a deep dive into Granny Mabel’s best bar cookie recipes, complete with detailed instructions, helpful tips, and variations to suit every taste. Get ready to bake a batch of nostalgia and create memories with every bite!

Why Granny Mabel’s Bar Cookies are Special

Granny Mabel’s bar cookie recipes aren’t just about ingredients and measurements; they’re about warmth, family, and the joy of sharing. These recipes are often handed down through generations, carrying with them a legacy of love and deliciousness. What makes them so special?

* **Simple Ingredients:** Granny Mabel believed in using everyday ingredients, readily available in most pantries. No fancy extracts or exotic spices are required.
* **Easy to Follow:** The recipes are straightforward and easy to understand, perfect for novice bakers and experienced cooks alike.
* **Versatile:** Most of Granny Mabel’s recipes are adaptable. You can easily substitute ingredients, add toppings, or adjust the sweetness to your liking.
* **Crowd-Pleasing:** These bar cookies are always a hit at potlucks, family gatherings, and holiday celebrations. Their comforting flavors and simple presentation make them universally appealing.
* **Long-Lasting:** Bar cookies tend to stay fresh longer than drop cookies, making them ideal for making ahead or enjoying over several days.

Granny Mabel’s Classic Chocolate Chip Bar Cookies

This recipe is a cornerstone of Granny Mabel’s collection. It’s the perfect balance of chewy, chocolatey goodness.

**Ingredients:**

* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* ¾ cup granulated sugar
* ¾ cup packed brown sugar
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 2 cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate)
* Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans

**Instructions:**

1. **Preheat the Oven:** Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
2. **Cream the Butter and Sugars:** In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes 3-5 minutes with an electric mixer. Make sure the butter is properly softened; otherwise, the mixture will be lumpy.
3. **Add Eggs and Vanilla:** Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Ensure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next.
4. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures that the baking soda and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour.
5. **Gradually Add Dry Ingredients to Wet Ingredients:** Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough cookies.
6. **Stir in Chocolate Chips and Nuts (Optional):** Stir in the chocolate chips and nuts (if using) until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
7. **Spread the Batter into the Pan:** Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula or your fingers to ensure it reaches all corners and is a uniform thickness.
8. **Bake:** Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Avoid overbaking, as this will result in dry cookies. Begin checking for doneness at 25 minutes, as oven temperatures can vary.
9. **Cool and Cut:** Let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares. Use a sharp knife to make clean cuts. If you lined the pan with parchment paper, you can lift the bars out before cutting for easier handling.

**Tips and Variations:**

* **Use Room Temperature Ingredients:** Using room temperature butter and eggs will help them emulsify better, creating a smoother batter and a more tender cookie.
* **Don’t Overmix:** Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
* **Vary the Chocolate:** Experiment with different types of chocolate chips, such as dark chocolate, white chocolate, or peanut butter chips.
* **Add Extracts:** A few drops of almond extract or peppermint extract can add a unique flavor to your cookies.
* **Sprinkle with Sea Salt:** A sprinkle of sea salt on top of the baked bars enhances the sweetness and adds a delicious salty-sweet contrast.
* **Make Blondies:** Omit the chocolate chips for classic blondies. You can add white chocolate chips or chopped nuts instead.

Granny Mabel’s Peanut Butter Bar Cookies

For peanut butter lovers, these bars are a dream come true. They are rich, chewy, and bursting with peanut butter flavor.

**Ingredients:**

* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* 1 cup creamy peanut butter
* 1 cup granulated sugar
* 1 cup packed brown sugar
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* ½ teaspoon salt
* Optional: ½ cup chopped peanuts or peanut butter chips

**Instructions:**

1. **Preheat the Oven:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. **Cream the Butter, Peanut Butter, and Sugars:** In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This may take a bit longer than with just butter and sugar, as peanut butter can be quite dense.
3. **Add Eggs and Vanilla:** Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Make sure each egg is fully incorporated.
4. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. **Gradually Add Dry Ingredients to Wet Ingredients:** Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Again, avoid overmixing.
6. **Stir in Peanuts or Peanut Butter Chips (Optional):** Stir in the chopped peanuts or peanut butter chips (if using) until evenly distributed.
7. **Spread the Batter into the Pan:** Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Because peanut butter cookie dough can be sticky, you may find it helpful to lightly flour your hands or use a piece of parchment paper to press the dough into the pan.
8. **Bake:** Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set. The bars should spring back slightly when touched. Overbaking will make them dry.
9. **Cool and Cut:** Let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares.

**Tips and Variations:**

* **Use Natural Peanut Butter:** While creamy peanut butter is called for, using natural peanut butter will give the bars a richer, more intense peanut butter flavor. Just be sure to stir it well before using, as the oil tends to separate.
* **Add Chocolate:** Drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled bars for a decadent treat. A combination of milk chocolate and peanut butter is always a winner.
* **Make Peanut Butter Blossoms Bars:** Press Hershey’s Kisses into the top of the bars immediately after baking for a fun twist on classic peanut butter blossoms.
* **Swirl with Jelly:** Swirl in a layer of your favorite jelly (grape or strawberry works well) before baking for peanut butter and jelly bars.
* **Add Oats:** Add ½ cup of rolled oats to the dry ingredients for a chewier texture and added fiber.

Granny Mabel’s Lemon Bar Cookies

These bars are a bright and zesty treat, perfect for springtime or anytime you need a little sunshine in your day. The tangy lemon flavor is balanced by a sweet, buttery crust.

**Ingredients:**

**For the Crust:**

* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* ½ cup powdered sugar
* 2 cups all-purpose flour

**For the Filling:**

* 4 large eggs
* 2 cups granulated sugar
* ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
* ½ teaspoon baking powder
* ¼ teaspoon salt
* ½ cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed
* 2 tablespoons lemon zest
* Powdered sugar, for dusting

**Instructions:**

1. **Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang.
2. **Make the Crust:** In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually add the flour and mix until just combined. The mixture will be crumbly.
3. **Press the Crust into the Pan:** Press the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Use your fingers or the bottom of a measuring cup to create a smooth, even layer.
4. **Bake the Crust:** Bake the crust for 18-20 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly while you prepare the filling.
5. **Make the Filling:** In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, granulated sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt until smooth. Stir in the lemon juice and lemon zest. The mixture will be quite liquid.
6. **Pour the Filling over the Crust:** Pour the lemon filling evenly over the pre-baked crust.
7. **Bake:** Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is set and no longer jiggles when the pan is gently shaken. The edges should be lightly golden brown.
8. **Cool and Dust with Powdered Sugar:** Let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares. Dust generously with powdered sugar before serving.

**Tips and Variations:**

* **Use Fresh Lemon Juice:** Freshly squeezed lemon juice is essential for the best flavor. Avoid using bottled lemon juice, which can taste artificial.
* **Don’t Overbake:** Overbaking the filling will result in a tough, rubbery texture. The filling should be set but still slightly soft.
* **Add Berries:** Sprinkle fresh blueberries or raspberries over the filling before baking for a colorful and flavorful addition.
* **Make Lime Bars:** Substitute lime juice and lime zest for lemon juice and lemon zest for lime bars.
* **Store Properly:** Lemon bars are best stored in the refrigerator, as they can become sticky at room temperature.

Granny Mabel’s Oatmeal Raisin Bar Cookies

These bars are a wholesome and comforting treat, perfect for breakfast or a snack. The oats add a chewy texture, while the raisins provide a touch of sweetness.

**Ingredients:**

* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* 1 cup packed brown sugar
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* ½ teaspoon salt
* 3 cups rolled oats (not instant)
* 1 cup raisins
* Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans

**Instructions:**

1. **Preheat the Oven:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. **Cream the Butter and Sugar:** In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. **Add Eggs and Vanilla:** Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
4. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
5. **Gradually Add Dry Ingredients to Wet Ingredients:** Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined.
6. **Stir in Oats, Raisins, and Nuts (Optional):** Stir in the rolled oats, raisins, and nuts (if using) until evenly distributed. The batter will be thick.
7. **Spread the Batter into the Pan:** Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Press down firmly to create a compact layer.
8. **Bake:** Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set. The bars should be firm to the touch.
9. **Cool and Cut:** Let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares.

**Tips and Variations:**

* **Use Rolled Oats:** Rolled oats (also known as old-fashioned oats) are essential for the best texture. Instant oats will become too mushy.
* **Soak the Raisins:** Soaking the raisins in warm water or rum for 30 minutes before adding them to the batter will plump them up and make them more juicy.
* **Add Spices:** Experiment with other spices, such as nutmeg, cloves, or allspice.
* **Make Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars:** Substitute ½ cup of chocolate chips for ½ cup of raisins for oatmeal chocolate chip bars.
* **Glaze the Bars:** Drizzle a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk over the cooled bars for added sweetness.

Granny Mabel’s Seven Layer Bar Cookies (Magic Bars)

These bars are a decadent and easy-to-make treat with a layer of graham crackers, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, coconut, nuts, and sweetened condensed milk. They are often called magic bars because of how quickly they disappear.

**Ingredients:**

* 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
* ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
* 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
* 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
* 1 cup butterscotch chips
* 1 cup shredded coconut
* 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

**Instructions:**

1. **Preheat the Oven:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
2. **Make the Graham Cracker Crust:** In a mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
3. **Pour Sweetened Condensed Milk:** Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the graham cracker crust.
4. **Layer the Remaining Ingredients:** Sprinkle the chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, coconut, and nuts evenly over the sweetened condensed milk. Layering is important for even distribution but not absolutely critical.
5. **Bake:** Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the sweetened condensed milk is bubbly. The coconut should be lightly toasted.
6. **Cool and Cut:** Let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares. Cooling is essential for the bars to set properly.

**Tips and Variations:**

* **Use Different Chips:** Experiment with different types of chips, such as white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or dark chocolate chips.
* **Add Fruit:** Add dried cranberries or chopped dried apricots for a chewy and fruity twist.
* **Use a Different Crust:** Substitute crushed Oreo cookies or shortbread cookies for the graham cracker crumbs.
* **Toast the Coconut:** Toast the shredded coconut in a dry skillet before adding it to the bars for a richer flavor.
* **Add Pretzels:** Sprinkle crushed pretzels over the top of the bars before baking for a salty-sweet combination.

Storing Granny Mabel’s Bar Cookies

To keep your bar cookies fresh and delicious, follow these storage tips:

* **Cool Completely:** Always cool the bars completely before storing them. This prevents condensation, which can make the cookies soggy.
* **Airtight Container:** Store the cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature. Line the container with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking together.
* **Freezing:** Bar cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw completely before serving.
* **Refrigeration:** Some bar cookies, such as lemon bars, are best stored in the refrigerator, as they can become sticky at room temperature.

Conclusion

Granny Mabel’s bar cookie recipes are a testament to the power of simple ingredients and time-honored techniques. These recipes are more than just instructions; they are a connection to the past, a celebration of family, and a promise of deliciousness. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or simply craving a comforting treat, Granny Mabel’s bar cookies are sure to bring a smile to your face. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to create some sweet memories! Happy baking!