Oatmeal Scotchie Bars

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.

Oatmeal butterscotch cookie bars topped with cinnamon frosting and cut into squares.


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

Ingredients needed for oatmeal butterscotch cookie bars.
  • 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

Step by step photos showing how to make oatmeal scotchie cookie bars.

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.

Cinnamon frosting on a whisk for oatmeal cookie bars.

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

What size baking pan do I need to make these bars?

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.

Can you freeze 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!

Can I use dark brown sugar instead of light brown sugar?

Yes, dark brown sugar will work too.

Stack of three frosted oatmeal butterscotch cookie bars.

Oatmeal Scotchie Bars

4.56 from 9 votes
By: Aimee
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!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 28 minutes
Servings: 36 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
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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

Serving: 1bar, Calories: 231kcal, Carbohydrates: 32g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 38mg, Sodium: 125mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 24g
Course: Cookies
Cuisine: American
Did you make this recipe?Mention @shugarysweets or tag #shugarysweets!

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.



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About Aimee

Aimee is a dessert lover (specifically rice krispie treats), workout enthusiast, self-taught foodie, and recipe creator.

Learn more about Aimee.

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Posted on June 30, 2021

Comments & Reviews

  1. 1 star
    Very disappointed with this recipe. It’s going on over 30 minutes and they are not baking correctly.

  2. 5 stars
    These oatmeal scotchie bars are AMAZING! The bars are so soft and moist and loaded with flavors!

  3. 5 stars
    These were to die for delicious, they made for the best dessert. My nephew came over and we devoured them!!! Amazing recipe!

  4. Aimee, my absolute favorite cookies are Oatmeal Scotchies! Definitely brings back great childhood memories:) I’ve never tried them with frosting, but will be making your recipe soon!

  5. I made these last night and brought them to work today. Big hit! Thanks for another winner and congratulations on moving home.

  6. This recipes sounds wonderful! Scotchie bars bring back happy memories from my childhood because one of my grandmothers used to make “Little Scotties” which is her name for them. I can’t wait to try your recipe! I love that you added frosting to them! YUM!

  7. Ack! I really, really want to make these today! But I just realized I only have two cups of oats! And I don’t have the car to get to the store today. Got any suggestions to sub for 1 cup of oats? Maybe I could just figure out measurements for a 2/3 batch.

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