Cranberry Crumble Bars

Why Make This Recipe

Cranberry Crumble Bars are a delightful treat that combines the tartness of fresh cranberries with a sweet, crumbly topping. They are perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a family gathering, a holiday celebration, or just a cozy afternoon snack. The vibrant flavors of orange and vanilla enhance the cranberries, making each bite deliciously refreshing. These bars are easy to make and provide a unique twist to traditional dessert options.

How to Make Cranberry Crumble Bars

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup fresh cranberries, chopped
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
• 1 tablespoon milk (for glaze)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch pan.
2. In a bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Gradually add flour and salt, mixing until just combined.
4. Press about 2/3 of the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan.
5. In another bowl, mix the chopped cranberries, orange juice, and vanilla extract. Pour this mixture over the crust.
6. Crumble the remaining dough on top of the cranberry filling.
7. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden.
8. Let cool completely before cutting into bars. For the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk, then drizzle over the cooled bars.

How to Serve Cranberry Crumble Bars

Cranberry Crumble Bars can be enjoyed on their own or served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra treat. They are wonderful for dessert but also make a tasty snack with your afternoon tea or coffee. You can cut them into squares or rectangles for easy serving.

How to Store Cranberry Crumble Bars

To keep your Cranberry Crumble Bars fresh, store them in an airtight container. They can be kept at room temperature for a few days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you want to store them for a longer time, you can freeze the bars. Just make sure to wrap them well in plastic wrap or foil before placing them in a freezer bag.

Tips to Make Cranberry Crumble Bars

• Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier mixing.
• Don’t overmix the dough; mix just until combined for the best texture.
• Feel free to adjust the sweetness by adding more or less sugar based on your taste preference.
• Experiment with adding nuts or oats to the crumble for added texture.

Variation

You can swap out cranberries for other fruits like blueberries, raspberries, or apples if you want a different flavor. Adding spices like cinnamon or nutmeg can also enhance the taste of the crumble.

FAQs

Can I use frozen cranberries instead of fresh ones?
Yes, you can use frozen cranberries! Just make sure to thaw and drain them before mixing into the filling.

Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can make them a day or two in advance and store them in the fridge.

What can I use instead of orange juice?
If you don’t have orange juice, lemon juice or apple cider can work as alternative liquids to add a bit of acidity to the filling.

Cranberry Crumble Bars

These delightful cranberry crumble bars feature a buttery shortbread crust, a sweet and tart cranberry filling, and a crunchy oat crumble topping, perfect for a festive treat or dessert.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 16 bars

Calories: 250

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Crust and Crumble

• 1 ½ cups All-purpose flour
• 1 cup Rolled oats
• ½ cup Granulated sugar
• ½ cup Light brown sugar packed
• 1 cup Cold unsalted butter diced
• ½ teaspoon Salt

Cranberry Filling

• 3 cups Fresh cranberries
• ¾ cup Granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons Orange juice
• 1 tablespoon Cornstarch

Equipment

• Baking pan (9x13 inch)
• Large mixing bowls
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Parchment paper
• Oven

Method

 

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, oats, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and salt, then cut in the cold diced butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Press two-thirds of the crumble mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan for the crust and bake for 10-12 minutes until lightly golden.
4. While the crust bakes, combine cranberries, granulated sugar, orange juice, and cornstarch in a saucepan and cook over medium heat until thickened and cranberries burst.
5. Spread the cranberry filling evenly over the partially baked crust, then crumble the remaining oat mixture over the cranberry layer.
6. Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 25-30 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
7. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting and cutting into squares.

Notes

For best results, allow the bars to cool completely before cutting to ensure clean slices. You can substitute other berries for the cranberries, or add orange zest to the cranberry filling for an extra flavor boost.