Irresistible Cranberry Crumble Bars Recipe for Sweet Tooths

Warm, buttery crumble bars with tangy cranberry filling offer a delightful twist on classic dessert favorites.

These irresistible cranberry crumble bars bring vibrant seasonal flavor to your table.

Sweet, crumbly layers meld perfectly with tart berries in every delectable bite.

The golden streusel topping adds a delightful crunch that complements the soft, jammy center.

Each bar delivers a perfect balance of textures and rich, comforting taste.

Simplicity meets elegance in this crowd-pleasing treat that works beautifully for afternoon tea, potlucks, or weekend baking adventures.

Dive into this easy recipe and treat yourself to a slice of pure, fruity bliss.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 60 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 17

Cranberry Crumble Bars Ingredient List

• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, velvety texture and deep flavor foundation for the shortbread crust, choose high-quality European-style butter for extra creaminess.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Creates sweetness and helps achieve golden, crisp texture, opt for organic sugars for more complex flavor profile.

• Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds moisture, select fresh, room-temperature eggs for smooth mixing.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces warm, aromatic depth, use pure vanilla extract for authentic flavor.
• Cinnamon: Offers warm, subtle spice that complements cranberry's tartness, choose freshly ground for maximum fragrance.

• All-Purpose Flour: Builds the foundational structure of the bars, sift to remove lumps and ensure smooth texture.
• Baking Powder: Provides gentle lift and helps create tender crumb, check expiration date for maximum rising power.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor complexity, use fine sea salt for even distribution.

• Fresh Cranberries: Delivers bright, tangy burst of flavor, select plump, firm berries with vibrant red color.
• Orange Zest, Orange Juice: Adds citrusy brightness and helps balance cranberry's sharpness, use fresh oranges for most intense flavor.
• Cornstarch: Thickens filling and prevents liquid separation, ensure it's evenly mixed to avoid clumping.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, sweet glaze, sift to eliminate potential lumps.
• Milk Or Heavy Cream: Provides silky consistency for drizzling, whole milk offers richer texture.

What Tools You’ll Need for Cranberry Crumble Bars

• Stand Mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, mixing dough with paddle attachment.
• 8×8-inch Baking Pan: Crucial for forming and baking the cranberry bars.
• Parchment Paper: Helps line the pan and makes bar removal easy.
• Whisk: Perfect for combining dry ingredients and preparing glaze.
• Mixing Bowls: Needed for separating dry and wet ingredients.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
• Wire Rack: Helps cool bars evenly after baking.
• Spatula: Useful for scraping bowl and spreading ingredients.

Instructions to Bake Cranberry Crumble Bars

Cranberry Crumble Bars

• Cozy Kitchen Setup

Grab your baking tools and preheat the oven to a toasty 350°F. Line a square pan with parchment paper, creating little handles for easy lifting later.

• Buttery Base Foundation

In a mixer, whip butter and sugars until they transform into a fluffy cloud. Add egg and vanilla, blending until silky smooth.

• Flour Power Mix

Whisk flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a separate bowl. Gently fold dry ingredients into the butter mixture, creating a soft dough. Don’t overmix – keep it tender.

• Crust Creation

Press most of the dough into the pan, creating a solid foundation. Save some dough for the crumbly topping.

• First Bake

Slide the crust into the oven and bake until edges turn golden. Let it rest and cool slightly.

• Cranberry Magic

Toss fresh cranberries with sugar, cornstarch, orange zest, and juice. Spread this vibrant mixture over the warm crust.

• Crumbly Crown

Break remaining dough into rustic pieces. Scatter them playfully across the cranberry layer, leaving little windows for the fruit to peek through.

• Final Bake

Bake until the top turns golden and filling bubbles. Cover with foil if it browns too quickly.

• Finishing Touch

Once completely cool, drizzle with a silky vanilla glaze. Slice into delectable squares and enjoy your homemade masterpiece.

Tips for Flaky and Fruity Cranberry Crumble Bars

• Chill the dough for 15-20 minutes before pressing into the pan to achieve a more stable, less crumbly shortbread base. Cold butter creates flakier, more delicate crumble layers.
• Control the glaze thickness by adding milk or powdered sugar gradually. For a thinner drizzle, add more liquid; for a thicker frosting-like topping, incorporate extra powdered sugar until desired consistency is reached.
• Boost the warmth by adding ground nutmeg or cardamom to the shortbread dough. A pinch of ginger or allspice can elevate the complex flavor notes, creating a more sophisticated dessert experience.

Serving Cranberry Crumble Bars for the Holidays

• Holiday Dessert Companion: Perfect for festive gatherings, potlucks, and family celebrations with warm, comforting flavors.
• Beverage Pairing Pleasure: Serve alongside hot coffee, spiced tea, or creamy hot chocolate to enhance the cranberry's tangy sweetness.
• Elegant Presentation Style: Cut into neat squares, arrange on a decorative platter, and dust with additional powdered sugar for a professional bakery-like presentation.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare bars one day in advance, store in an airtight container at room temperature, and glaze just before serving to maintain optimal texture and freshness.

How to Store Cranberry Crumble Bars

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store these delightful cranberry crumble bars in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The cool environment helps maintain their texture and freshness, preventing the bars from becoming soggy or losing their delicate crumb.
• Freezing Magic: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container. These bars can be frozen for up to 3 months, offering a quick dessert option whenever sweet cravings strike. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for the best taste and texture.
• Counter Storage Tips: If enjoying within 2 days, keep the bars at room temperature in a sealed container. Ensure the space is cool and dry to prevent any moisture buildup that might compromise the crumble's crispy texture.
• Glaze Wisdom: Apply the vanilla glaze just before serving for the most vibrant appearance. If storing glazed bars, place a sheet of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain the beautiful drizzle pattern.

Buttery Cranberry Crumble Bars

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4.6 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
• Yield: 17 1x

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Description

Sweet cranberry crumble bars showcase seasonal fruit nestled between buttery layers of crumbly oat streusel. Tart berries mingle with warm spices, creating a delightful dessert that invites you to savor each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 ¼ cups (405 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar
• 2 ½ cups cranberries
• ⅔ cup (133 g) granulated sugar
• ¾ cup powdered sugar
• 1 large egg
• 4 tbsps whole milk or heavy cream
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• 1 tbsp fresh orange juice
• 2 tsps vanilla extract
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¾ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp kosher salt

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, creating slight overhang for easy removal.
2. Creaming: Combine butter, granulated and brown sugars in a stand mixer until light and fluffy. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract, mixing until well blended.
3. Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a separate bowl. Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, mixing until dough just comes together.
4. Base Layer: Press two-thirds of the dough evenly into prepared pan, creating a solid foundation. Partially bake at 350°F for 15 minutes until edges turn golden.
5. Cranberry Filling: While base bakes, mix cranberries with sugar, cornstarch, orange zest, orange juice, and vanilla extract to create a vibrant filling.
6. Assembly: Spread cranberry mixture over partially baked crust. Crumble remaining dough across the top, allowing some cranberry to peek through.
7. Baking: Return to oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, tenting with foil during final 10-15 minutes to prevent over-browning.
8. Cooling and Finishing: Allow bars to cool completely on a wire rack. Prepare glaze by whisking powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
9. Final Touch: Drizzle glaze elegantly across cooled bars, creating a picture-perfect dessert ready to be sliced and served.

Notes

• Precise Parchment Placement: Line pan with parchment paper extending beyond edges for easy bar removal and clean cutting.
• Minimal Mixing Matters: Avoid overmixing dough to prevent tough, dense bars; stop blending when ingredients just combine.
• Temperature Control Technique: Shield bars with foil during final baking stage to prevent over-browning and ensure even cooking.
• Cooling Crucial Step: Allow bars to cool completely before slicing to maintain structural integrity and clean-cut edges.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 17
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 70 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg