Crazy Cranberry Bars
Get ready to fall in love with the sweet-tart perfection of Crazy Cranberry Bars, a treat that will brighten up any dessert table! These bars feature a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth crust made from a simple dough of flour, sugar, and cold butter, which pairs beautifully with a vibrant, homemade cranberry filling enhanced with hints of brown sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla. A crumbly oat topping adds a delightful layer of texture, making each bite irresistibly satisfying. Perfectly balanced between sweet and tangy, these cranberry bars are baked to golden perfection and cut into shareable squares. With just 20 minutes of prep time and a short list of pantry staples, this recipe is as easy as it is impressive. Serve them at holiday gatherings, bring them to potlucks, or enjoy as a midday treat! Keywords: cranberry dessert bars, holiday baking, cranberry recipes, oat crumble bars, easy dessert recipes.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 0.75 cups granulated sugar
- 0.75 cups unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1.5 cups fresh cranberries
- 0.5 cups light brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.5 cups rolled oats
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour and granulated sugar. Add the cold, cubed butter, and use a pastry cutter or fingertips to work the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
Add the egg yolk and mix until the dough just comes together. Reserve 1/2 cup of the mixture for later use.
Press the remaining dough firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form a crust. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
While the crust bakes, prepare the cranberry filling. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the cranberries, brown sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries begin to soften and burst, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Once the crust is out of the oven, spread the cranberry filling evenly over the top.
In a small bowl, mix the reserved dough with the rolled oats. Crumble this mixture evenly over the cranberry filling.
Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the cranberry filling is bubbly.
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before removing and cutting into squares or bars.
Serve and enjoy your Crazy Cranberry Bars!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
278 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 12.8 g | 16% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.8 g | 39% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 48 mg | 16% | |
| Sodium | 6 mg | 0% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 38.7 g | 14% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.7 g | 6% | |
| Total Sugars | 21.8 g | ||
| Protein | 2.5 g | 5% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 17 mg | 1% | |
| Iron | 0.9 mg | 5% | |
| Potassium | 63 mg | 1% | |
*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.
