Brown Butter Oatmeal Lace Bars
Thin oatmeal bars get crisp edges, chewy centers, and a nutty brown butter finish in a simple bake.
Prep: 10 · Cook: 20 · Total: 30 · Serves: 16 · Difficulty: Easy · Rating: 4.8/5 (201 reviews)
INSPIRED BY
The recipe uses a small-pan oat bar technique with browned butter for a deeper, toastier flavor than a standard oatmeal cookie.
Story
Casey keeps a pan of these bars around for the afternoons when coffee needs a little companion. Brown butter makes the oats taste extra toasty, and the chocolate chips melt into the thin, crisp edges. I like them cut small so the chewy center feels like a treat instead of a project. A warm bar with ice cream is the full cozy version.
By Casey
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup quick-cooking oats
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans
- 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350 F. Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment, leaving an overhang on two sides.
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, swirling, until the milk solids turn amber and smell nutty. Cool for 5 minutes.
- Whisk the brown butter, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla in a bowl until smooth and glossy.
- Stir in the oats, flour, baking soda, salt, pecans, and chocolate chips until no dry streaks remain.
- Spread the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 16 to 18 minutes, until the edges are golden and the center is just set.
- Cool completely in the pan, then lift out with the parchment and cut into 16 bars.
Chef Tips
- Watch the butter closely because the brown bits darken quickly at the end.
- Do not overbake if you want chewy centers.
- Press the batter into the corners with a lightly damp spatula.
- For cleaner cuts, chill the cooled slab for 15 minutes before slicing.
Cook's Notes
- **Brown butter:** Use a pale saucepan so you can see the milk solids change color.
- **Texture:** Pull the bars when the center is just set for chewy middles.
- **Storage:** Keep cooled bars airtight for up to 4 days.