Cranberry Crumble Bars

Cranberry Crumble Bars are a perfect sweet treat with tangy cranberries and a buttery crumble topping, ideal for gatherings or cozy nights at home.

Prep Time30

Cook Time1

Total Time1 30

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Baking, Cranberry, Crumble Bars, Dessert Bars

Servings: 16 bars

Calories: 230kcal

Ingredients

For the crust and topping

250 g unsalted butter, room temperature (1 cup)
100 g granulated sugar (½ cup)
100 g light brown sugar, packed (½ cup)
1 large egg, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
400 g all-purpose flour (3 ¼ cups)
3 g baking powder (¾ teaspoon)
2 g cinnamon (½ teaspoon)
1 g kosher salt (¼ teaspoon)

For the filling

300 g fresh or frozen cranberries (2 ½ cups)
130 g granulated sugar (⅔ cup)
10 g cornstarch (2 ½ teaspoons)
1 zest of 1 orange
15 ml orange juice (1 tablespoon)
5 ml vanilla (for filling) (1 teaspoon)

For the glaze

90 g powdered sugar (¾ cup)
60 ml whole milk or heavy cream (¼ cup)
2.5 ml vanilla (for glaze) (½ teaspoon)

Instructions

Preparation

Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal later.
In a stand mixer, cream together the room temperature butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until everything is well combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
Gradually add the dry mixture to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.
Set aside 250 g of the dough for the topping.
Press the remaining dough evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking pan. Bake the crust for 15 minutes or until it is slightly golden.

Filling

While the crust is baking, prepare the filling. In a bowl, combine the cranberries, 130 g of granulated sugar, cornstarch, orange zest, orange juice, and vanilla. Mix well to coat the cranberries.
Once the crust is done baking, pour the cranberry mixture evenly over the crust.
Take the reserved dough and crumble it over the cranberry filling in small pieces.
Bake the assembled bars for an additional 45 minutes, covering with foil for the last 10-15 minutes to prevent over-browning.
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before removing.

Glaze

For the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk or heavy cream, and vanilla until smooth.
Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bars, slice into squares, and enjoy!

Notes

These bars are best served at room temperature. You can cut them into squares or rectangles, making them perfect for sharing. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on the side for an extra treat. For a refreshing twist, pair them with a cup of herbal tea or your favorite coffee.