Chai-Spiced Oatmeal Raisin Bars

• 1 stick butter, softened
• heaping 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ginger
• 1/4 tsp cardamom
• 1/4 tsp cloves (or sub pumpkin pie spice)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1/2 cup jumbo mixed raisins

Preheat oven to 350°F.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, egg and vanilla until smooth.
Carefully pour flour, salt and baking soda into a sifter and sift over wet ingredients. Add spices and stir. Then add oats and raisins and stir once more.

Chill the dough for 5-10 minutes. Then scrape into a buttered, lightly floured OR parchment lined 8×8 metal or glass dish and flatten until smooth.

Bake for about 25-28 minutes or until nice and golden brown on top and the sides pull away from the pan.

Let cool in the pan and then slice and serve. Store covered or in baggies to keep fresh.

Serves 12; 181 calories.

VERDICT:  From the Minimalist Baker.  I made these for our neighborhood's National Night Out party.  I used 2/3 all-purpose flour and 1/3 whole wheat.  They were good enough to take, but I overbaked them a little at 28 minutes (they hadn't pulled away from the pan!), and the spices were not as prominent as I'd like.  Toss.