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Cranberry Crumble Bars Recipe

Cranberry Crumble Bars Recipe


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4.7 from 8 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Cranberry crumble bars bring festive flavors and homemade comfort to classic dessert tables. Sweet-tart cranberries nestled between buttery crumble layers promise a delightful treat you cannot resist.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 cups fresh cranberries
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup rolled oats (old-fashioned)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)

Sweeteners:

  • 1 cup granulated sugar

Leavening and Spices:

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven at 350°F (175°C) and prepare a square baking pan with either a light greasing or parchment paper lining.
  2. Toss fresh cranberries with a portion of sugar, allowing the fruit to macerate and release its natural juices.
  3. Create a crumbly mixture by blending flour, oats, remaining sugar, baking powder, and softened butter until the texture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
  4. Compact half of the crumb mixture into a solid, even base layer within the prepared pan, ensuring a uniform foundation.
  5. Distribute the sweetened cranberry mixture across the crumb base, covering it entirely with an even spread.
  6. Delicately sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the cranberry layer, creating a rustic, textured topping.
  7. Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, watching for a golden-brown color and slightly bubbling edges.
  8. Remove from the oven and let the crumble bars cool completely at room temperature to allow proper setting and easier cutting.
  9. Once fully cooled, slice into neat squares and serve as a delightful dessert or afternoon treat.

Notes

  • Swap fresh cranberries with frozen ones directly from the freezer without thawing to maintain texture and prevent color bleeding.
  • Use gluten-free flour blend and certified gluten-free oats to make this recipe celiac-friendly and suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Add a sprinkle of orange zest into the crumb mixture for an extra layer of bright, citrusy complexity that complements the tart cranberries.
  • For a lower-sugar version, replace half the sugar with monk fruit sweetener or reduce total sugar by one-third without compromising the dessert’s delicious structure.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 9g
  • Sodium: 40mg
  • Fat: 8g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 34g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 20mg