Cranberry Crumb Squares
Indulge in the perfect balance of sweet and tart with these irresistible cranberry crumb squares, a delightful holiday dessert or year-round treat! Featuring a buttery crumb crust and topping, paired with a luscious filling of fresh cranberries, bright orange zest, and a touch of sweetness, these bars are a festive flavor explosion in every bite. The rich, golden crumb layers add a satisfying texture that contrasts beautifully with the juicy, jam-like cranberry center. Easy to prepare in just under an hour, this recipe also makes great use of pantry staples like flour, sugar, and butter. Whether served as a snack, dessert, or accompaniment to coffee, these cranberry crumb squares are sure to be a hit, offering a quick, crowd-pleasing option for parties, potlucks, or holiday gatherings.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 0.5 cup light brown sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter (cold, cubed)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups fresh cranberries
- 0.75 cup granulated sugar (for filling)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon fresh orange zest
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Line it with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the sides for easy removal.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut the cold, cubed butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Alternatively, you can use a food processor for this step.
In a small bowl, beat the egg with the vanilla extract. Add it to the crumb mixture and mix until evenly distributed. The mixture will still be crumbly.
Press half of the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form an even crust. Set the remaining crumb mixture aside for the topping.
In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, granulated sugar for the filling, cornstarch, and orange zest. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the cranberries start to burst and thicken slightly, about 5–7 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool for 5 minutes.
Spread the cranberry filling evenly over the crust in the baking dish.
Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture evenly over the cranberry filling, pressing it lightly with your hands.
Bake in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cranberry filling is bubbling.
Remove from the oven and let the squares cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire slab out of the pan.
Cut into squares and serve. These can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4933 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 203.4 g | 261% | |
| Saturated Fat | 124.0 g | 620% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 736 mg | 245% | |
| Sodium | 1224 mg | 53% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 763.2 g | 278% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 30.0 g | 107% | |
| Total Sugars | 477.3 g | ||
| Protein | 42.1 g | 84% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.3 mcg | 7% | |
| Calcium | 232 mg | 18% | |
| Iron | 16.8 mg | 93% | |
| Potassium | 1064 mg | 23% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
