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    Home » Recipes » Christmas

    Cranberry Crumble Bars

    Posted: Dec 4, 2020 · Updated: May 24, 2024 by Sara · This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Cranberry Crumble Bars - Simple crumb bars made with fresh cranberries and a buttery, flaky crust, topped with oatmeal crumble and a sweet white chocolate glaze.

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    We've made it to December, and this crazy 2020 rollercoaster ride will soon be coming to an end. I'm fairly certain we're all looking forward to ringing in a year of new beginnings.

    But you know what, let's not rush it. Let's try and enjoy this last month of the year and make the most of the holiday season.

    Today we're getting into the festive holiday spirit and making Cranberry Crumble Bars! These dessert bars are made with fresh cranberries and a buttery, flaky crust, topped with oatmeal crumble and a sweet white chocolate glaze. 

    They're the perfect addition to a holiday "sweets" platter!

    Let's get baking!

    HOW TO MAKE CRANBERRY CRUMBLE BARS

    To make these easy crumble bars, you'll need:

    • Flour
    • Sugar
    • Baking powder
    • Salt 
    • Cinnamon
    • Oatmeal
    • Butter
    • Egg
    • Milk
    • Vanilla extract
    • Fresh or frozen cranberries
    • Cornstarch
    • Orange zest
    • Orange juice
    • White chocolate

    Start by preheating the oven to 350º Fahrenheit. 

    Grab a mixing bowl and combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.

    Flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and oatmeal in a large glass mixing bowl

    Whisk in the oatmeal.

    Adding oatmeal to crumb mixture

    Use a fork to cut in the cubed butter until the mixture resembles pea-sized crumbles.

    butter pats in a bowl with a crumb mixture

    Set the bowl aside and in another small bowl, whisk together the egg, milk and vanilla.

    Egg, milk and vanilla in a glass bowl

    Pour the liquid ingredients over the flour mixture.

    Adding wet ingredients to dry crust ingredients in glass bowl

    Whisk it all together until it resembles wet sand. Don't forget to reserve 2 cups for the topping!

    mixed crust in bowl for crumble bars

    Press the remaining mixture into a greased 9x13 baking dish.

    Crust pressed into the bottom of a glass baking dish

    Next, combine the ingredients for the cranberry filling in a medium mixing bowl. 

    cranberries and sugar in glass bowl

    Spread the mixture evenly over the crust.

    Cranberry crumble bars before going into oven

    Then, evenly sprinkle the remaining topping over cranberries (photo of this step not included).

    Bake the bars for 40-50 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.

    Cranberry bars topped with oatmeal crumble

    Allow to cool, then drizzle melted white chocolate over the top of the bars and serve.

    Drizzling icing on cranberry bars

    CAN YOU USE FROZEN CRANBERRIES FOR THESE BARS?

    Yes, you can use frozen cranberries but I recommend allowing the frozen berries to thaw for a bit before using them to make the filling.

    Icing drizzled on cranberry bars in pan

    WHAT OTHER FRUITS COULD BE SUBSTITUTED FOR THESE BARS?

    There’s a chance not everyone in your family loves cranberries. I get that.

    You could always try cherries, raspberries or blueberries!

    Spatula holding up a cranberry bar

    HOW SHOULD THE CRUMBLE BARS BE STORED?

    The bars can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or they can be frozen for up to six months or so.

    stack of cranberry crumble bars

    WHAT SHOULD I TOP CRANBERRY CRUMBLE BARS WITH?

    I love the icing drizzle with these bars, but if you really want to "do it up," grab a couple scoops of vanilla ice cream and plop them on top!

    Fork with a piece of a cranberry bar

    READY FOR MORE DESSERT IDEAS?

    • Raspberry Crumble Bars
    • No-Bake Cherry Dump Cake
    • Pumpkin Dump Cake
    • Berries & Cream Angel Food Cake Dessert
    • Pumpkin Crisp
    • Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake
    • Baked Apple Donuts
    • S'mores Bars
    • Lemon Lush Dessert
    • Easy Cranberry Cake
    stack of cranberry crumble bars

    Cranberry Crumble Bars

    Simple crumb bars made with fresh cranberries and a buttery, flaky crust, topped with oatmeal crumble and a sweet white chocolate glaze.
    No ratings yet
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 35 minutes mins
    Servings: 16 bars
    Calories: 264kcal
    Author: Sara
    adjust servings: 16 bars

    Ingredients

    For the Crust and Topping:

    • 3 cups flour
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • ½ cup oatmeal
    • 1 cup butter (cold and cut into cubes)
    • 1 egg
    • ¼ cup milk
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla

    For the Cranberry Filling:

    • 4 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
    • ¾ cup sugar
    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
    • 2 teaspoons orange zest
    • 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice

    For the Icing:

    • 2 tablespoons white chocolate (melted)

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350º Fahrenheit.
    • Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and oatmeal in a large mixing bowl.
    • Using a fork, cut in the cubed butter until mixture resembles pea-sized crumbles.
    • In a small bowl, whisk egg, milk, and vanilla together.
    • Pour liquid ingredients over the flour mixture.
    • Whisk together until it resembles wet sand. Reserve 2 cups for topping.
    • Press remaining mixture into a greased 9x13 baking dish.
    • Combine ingredients for cranberry filling in a medium mixing bowl. Spread evenly over crust.
    • Evenly sprinkle remaining topping over cranberries.
    • Bake for 40-50 minutes or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
    • Allow bars to cool.

    For the Icing:

    • Drizzle melted white chocolate over top of bars and serve.

    Notes

    Balance Sweetness: Cranberries bring tartness to the recipe, so adjust the sweetness of the crumble topping and filling accordingly to achieve a harmonious balance of flavors.
    Texture Matters: Ensure the crumble topping is crispy and the cranberry filling is thickened to prevent the bars from becoming soggy. A good texture contrast adds to the overall enjoyment.
    Experiment with Spices: Enhance the flavor profile by adding spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to the crumble topping. These aromatic spices can complement the tartness of the cranberries beautifully.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 18g | Calories: 264kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 144mg | Potassium: 45mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 336IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @BitzNGiggles or tag #bitzngiggles!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Veronica Koh Eischeid

      November 06, 2023 at 5:02 pm

      Can I use other kinds of frozen fruit if I don’t want to use cranberries?

      Reply
      • Sara

        November 07, 2023 at 1:08 pm

        You could certainly try some different kinds of fruit!

        Reply

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    Sara Zenner, blogger at Bitz N Giggles

    welcome!

    Hey, I’m Sara!

     Born and raised in Wisconsin, where family and fun are at the heart of it all - I inherited a deep appreciation for home cooking and family traditions. I’m all about quick and easy recipes, tidying up, and laid back “up north” living.

    Read more!

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