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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Preparation: Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, creating slight overhang for easy removal.
- Creaming: Combine butter, granulated and brown sugars in a stand mixer until light and fluffy. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract, mixing until well blended.
- 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.
- 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.
- Cranberry Filling: While base bakes, mix cranberries with sugar, cornstarch, orange zest, orange juice, and vanilla extract to create a vibrant filling.
- Assembly: Spread cranberry mixture over partially baked crust. Crumble remaining dough across the top, allowing some cranberry to peek through.
- Baking: Return to oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, tenting with foil during final 10-15 minutes to prevent over-browning.
- Cooling and Finishing: Allow bars to cool completely on a wire rack. Prepare glaze by whisking powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
- 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