Bursting with festive flavors, these Cranberry Crumble Bars are the ultimate holiday treat! Featuring a buttery crumble base and topping made with rolled oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon, these dessert bars are layered with a luscious, tangy cranberry-orange filling, perfectly thickened with a hint of cornstarch for a jam-like texture. The combination of fresh cranberries, zesty orange juice, and zest makes for a vibrant and irresistible filling that balances sweetness and tartness in every bite. Ready in just over an hour, these golden, crumbly bars are ideal for holiday gatherings, gifting, or a cozy dessert at home. Garnish with a dusting of powdered sugar for a finishing touch that'll wow your guests! Simple, seasonal, and packed with flavor, these Cranberry Crumble Bars are a must-try for lovers of fruit-filled desserts.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9x9-inch (23x23 cm) baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar. Mix until smooth.
Add the all-purpose flour, rolled oats, ground cinnamon, and kosher salt to the bowl. Stir until a crumbly dough forms.
Press about two-thirds of the dough mixture into the prepared baking pan to form an even crust. Reserve the remaining dough for the crumble topping.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the cranberries, orange juice, and orange zest. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries soften and begin to burst, about 5–7 minutes.
Add the cornstarch and vanilla extract to the cranberry mixture, stirring until thickened. Remove from heat and let the filling cool slightly.
Spread the cranberry filling evenly over the crust layer in the baking pan.
Crumble the reserved dough mixture evenly over the cranberry layer to form the crumble topping.
Bake in the preheated oven for 40–45 minutes, or until the crumble topping is golden brown and the cranberry filling is bubbling.
Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Once cool, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan.
Cut into 12 squares or rectangles. If desired, dust the bars with powdered sugar before serving.
Calories |
3925 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 149.0 g | 191% | |
| Saturated Fat | 89.0 g | 445% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 371 mg | 124% | |
| Sodium | 348 mg | 15% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 615.5 g | 224% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 32.5 g | 116% | |
| Total Sugars | 285.5 g | ||
| Protein | 47.1 g | 94% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 273 mg | 21% | |
| Iron | 19.5 mg | 108% | |
| Potassium | 1279 mg | 27% | |
*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.