Looking for a dessert that perfectly balances sweetness and tartness? These Cranberry Crumble Bars are the answer! With a buttery, crumbly oat topping and a tangy cranberry filling, these bars are the ultimate treat for any occasion. They’re the perfect combination of comfort and indulgence, making them a great choice for family gatherings, holiday celebrations, or a delightful afternoon snack.
Made with fresh or dried cranberries, these bars are easy to prepare and require simple ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen. The chewy, golden crust is paired with a burst of cranberry flavor that offers a refreshing contrast to the richness of the crumbly topping. These cranberry crumble bars have the perfect amount of sweetness, with the natural tartness of the cranberries shining through in every bite.
What makes these bars even more special is their versatility. You can make them ahead of time, store them in the fridge, and serve them chilled or at room temperature. They also make a great gift for friends and loved ones, thanks to their beautiful, rustic presentation. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a beginner, these cranberry crumble bars are a simple yet delicious dessert that will impress everyone. Let’s dive into the recipe and get baking!
Why You Will Love Making This Recipe
Cranberry Crumble Bars are an irresistible combination of sweet and tart, and here’s why you’ll love making them:
1. Perfect Balance of Sweet & Tart: The tangy cranberry filling is perfectly complemented by the buttery oat crumble topping, creating a flavor profile that is both refreshing and satisfying.
2. Easy to Make: This recipe doesn’t require any complicated techniques. The simple steps make it ideal for beginner bakers and seasoned pros alike. You’ll be enjoying these delicious bars in no time!
3. Versatile for Any Occasion: Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering, a picnic, or simply want a homemade snack, these cranberry crumble bars fit any occasion. You can also serve them for breakfast, brunch, or as a dessert.
4. Make-Ahead Friendly: These bars can be made in advance and stored for several days. They stay fresh in the fridge and are even better the next day, allowing the flavors to develop further.
5. Customizable: You can easily adjust the sweetness or make the recipe even more exciting by adding nuts, orange zest, or a drizzle of white chocolate for an extra special touch.
With just a handful of ingredients and a few simple steps, these cranberry crumble bars are sure to become a favorite in your baking repertoire. Their combination of texture and flavor is absolutely unbeatable, and once you try them, you’ll be hooked!
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
Equipment Used
- 8×8-inch Baking Pan: A square pan is ideal for this recipe, ensuring the bars are evenly baked. You can line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mixing Bowls: Use a large mixing bowl for combining the dry ingredients and another bowl for the cranberry filling.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements are crucial for achieving the perfect balance of ingredients in the crust and filling.
- Pastry Cutter or Fork: For cutting the butter into the dry ingredients, creating the crumbly texture for the topping.
- Spatula or Spoon: To stir the cranberry filling and spread it evenly over the crust.
- Cooling Rack: Helps cool the bars after baking, allowing them to set and making them easier to cut into squares.
- Knife: To cut the bars into perfect squares after they’ve cooled down
Directions & Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal of the bars after baking.
- Make the Crust and Topping: In a large bowl, combine the oats, flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the softened butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Use a pastry cutter or your hands to mix until the dough becomes crumbly but holds together when pressed. Reserve 1 cup of the mixture for the topping.
- Prepare the Cranberry Filling: In a separate bowl, combine the cranberries and honey or maple syrup. Stir gently to coat the cranberries evenly with the sweetener.
- Assemble the Bars: Press the remaining oat mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust. Spread the cranberry mixture over the crust, distributing the cranberries evenly.
- Add the Topping: Sprinkle the reserved crumble mixture over the cranberry filling to cover the top. The topping doesn’t need to be even—some crumbles can remain larger for texture.
- Bake the Bars: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares. This helps the bars set and ensures clean cuts.
Nutritional Information
Serving size: 1 bar (based on 12 servings)
- Calories: 220
- Protein: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugars: 18g
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Sodium: 50mg
These cranberry crumble bars are a delightful treat that offers a moderate amount of sugar and fat, but they also provide fiber from the oats and cranberries. The addition of cranberries not only adds flavor but also provides some antioxidants and vitamin C. For a healthier alternative, you can reduce the sugar and experiment with whole wheat flour or substitute the butter with a plant-based option.
Variations
- Orange Cranberry Crumble Bars: Add a tablespoon of orange zest to the cranberry filling for a citrusy twist that pairs beautifully with the tartness of the cranberries.
- Nuts in the Topping: Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the crumble topping for an extra crunch and depth of flavor.
- Gluten-Free Version: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make these bars gluten-free while maintaining the delicious taste and texture.
- White Chocolate Drizzle: For an extra indulgent touch, drizzle melted white chocolate over the bars once they have cooled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen cranberries?
Yes, frozen cranberries work perfectly in this recipe. There’s no need to thaw them, but you may need to bake the bars a few minutes longer if the cranberries release extra moisture.
How long can I store cranberry crumble bars?
Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also refrigerate them for up to a week or freeze them for up to 3 months.
Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Absolutely! These bars can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge. In fact, they often taste even better the next day when the flavors have had time to meld.
Can I substitute the honey with sugar or other sweeteners?
Yes, you can use sugar or maple syrup instead of honey. Just keep in mind that using sugar might slightly alter the texture of the cranberry filling.
Pro Tips By Emma
- Use Cold Butter for the Best Crumble: To get a perfectly crumbly topping, make sure your butter is cold and cut into small cubes before mixing it into the dry ingredients.
- Even Cranberry Distribution: Stir the cranberries gently with the sweetener to avoid crushing them. You want them to stay intact for that burst of flavor in every bite.
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: For a light, crumbly texture, avoid overworking the dough when mixing the crust and topping. Just mix until the ingredients are combined.
Serving Suggestions
These cranberry crumble bars are delightful on their own, but you can also serve them with:
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert.
- A dollop of whipped cream or mascarpone for a richer treat.
- A cup of hot tea or coffee to balance the sweetness and enhance the tart cranberry flavor.
- Serve them at breakfast alongside a yogurt parfait for a satisfying start to your day.
Easy Cranberry Crumble Bars – Sweet & Tart Delight
Equipment
- 8x8-inch Baking Pan: A square pan is ideal for this recipe, ensuring the bars are evenly baked. You can line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mixing Bowls: Use a large mixing bowl for combining the dry ingredients and another bowl for the cranberry filling.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements are crucial for achieving the perfect balance of ingredients in the crust and filling.
- Pastry Cutter or Fork: For cutting the butter into the dry ingredients, creating the crumbly texture for the topping.
- Spatula or Spoon: To stir the cranberry filling and spread it evenly over the crust.
- Cooling Rack: Helps cool the bars after baking, allowing them to set and making them easier to cut into squares.
- Knife: To cut the bars into perfect squares after they’ve cooled down
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal of the bars after baking.
- Make the Crust and Topping: In a large bowl, combine the oats, flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the softened butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Use a pastry cutter or your hands to mix until the dough becomes crumbly but holds together when pressed. Reserve 1 cup of the mixture for the topping.
- Prepare the Cranberry Filling: In a separate bowl, combine the cranberries and honey or maple syrup. Stir gently to coat the cranberries evenly with the sweetener.
- Assemble the Bars: Press the remaining oat mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust. Spread the cranberry mixture over the crust, distributing the cranberries evenly.
- Add the Topping: Sprinkle the reserved crumble mixture over the cranberry filling to cover the top. The topping doesn’t need to be even—some crumbles can remain larger for texture.
- Bake the Bars: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares. This helps the bars set and ensures clean cuts.