Old fashioned raisin bars are a thin, cake-like spice bar loaded with raisins and topped with a creamy frosting.
When I came across this retro recipe I decided we had to try it.
They are moist, with a tender crumb, plump raisins and perfectly spiced. Easy to make and are a great snack or even breakfast.
I couldn’t keep my husband away from them. Needless to say, these did not last long at our house.
Try our Bread Pudding!
Old Fashioned Raisin Bars

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
For easy removal from the sheet pan, line it with parchment paper. Mix all the ingredients, pour into the pan and bake.
In a saucepan bring the water to a boil over medium heat.
Combine the raisins and the boiling water. Remove from the heat, add the butter and cool to lukewarm.
Whisk the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and salt together in a medium-size bowl.

Pour the raisin mixture in large mixing bowl. Add the sugar, egg and dry ingredients. With an electric mixer, beat until thoroughly blended.
Pour into the prepared baking pan and bake at 350 for about 25 minutes.

Cool completely on a wire rack.
To Frost: In a medium bowl, mix together the butter, vanilla, confectioners’ sugar, and 1 tablespoon at a time of milk to the desired consistency.
I enjoyed the frosting but I think the next time I make these spiced raisin bars, I will just dust with powdered sugar. Or maybe a simple powdered sugar glaze.

Cut into bars or slice however you like. I sliced in the typical bar form. Enjoy!
Try our Cinnamon Raisin Bread.
Old Fashioned Raisin Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 tsp. allspice
- 1/2 tsp. cloves
- 1/4 tsp. salt
Frosting:
- 2 Tbsp. butter melted
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
- enough milk for spreading consistency desired
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine raisins and water in a small saucepan; bring to a boil.
- Remove from heat, add butter; cool to lukewarm.
- Whisk the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and salt together in a medium-size bowl.
- Pour the raisin mixture in large mixing bowl; add sugar, egg and dry ingredients.
- With an electric mixer, beat until thoroughly blended.
- Pour into greased and floured sheet pan (15½x10½x1-inch) and bake about 25 minutes.
- Cool.
- To frost:
- In a medium bowl, mix together the butter, vanilla, confectioners’ sugar and 1 tablespoon at a time of milk to the desired consistency.
Notes
Nutrition
Recipe source RecipeCurio.com
Comments
M.Barnard
March 9, 2017Made the Old Fashioned Raisin Bars the day I got the recipe. It was easy to make and taste delicious.
Ceil
June 18, 2020I found this searching for a raisin bar recipe. Last time I made raisin bars I was 12 nearly 50 years ago. My mom gave me her recipe card and I got at it solo (I’d been baking for a couple years by then). She had an abbreviation in the ingredients list of “1 tsp B.P.” I added black pepper and after tasting the finished product learned to my chagrin it should have been baking powder.
DSTR
June 21, 2020Hahaha .. that’s too funny. 🙂
Paula Lipsitz
January 19, 2021My mother made these the day of Kennedys inauguration, though I have no idea where she got the recipe. The only difference is Crisco instead of butter, and lemon juice mixed with confectioners sugar. Thereafter, she always referred to them as ‘Kennedy Cookies’ – they’ve stood the test of time in our family!