Cranberry crumb bars, oh, the memories they conjure! From bustling holiday baking sessions with my grandmother to quiet winter afternoons with a cup of tea, these cranberry crumb bars speak of warmth and comfort. The sweet and tart filling nestled between layers of buttery crumble is simply irresistible. This easy bake delivers a burst of festive flavor in every bite. These truly are the perfect cranberry dessert bars.
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Why You Will Love This cranberry crumb bars Recipe
This cranberry crumb bars recipe is a winner for so many reasons. It’s incredibly comforting, the perfect balance of sweet and tart. These are also surprisingly quick to make. From start to finish, you can have a tray of warm, delicious cranberry dessert bars ready in under an hour.
For me, this recipe evokes memories of Thanksgiving and Christmas, the aroma of cranberries and butter filling the kitchen. It’s a simple recipe that brings so much joy, which makes it extra special. And the best part is, there’s something so satisfying about the combination of textures: the crunchy crumble, the soft filling.
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Ingredients Needed for This cranberry crumb bars Recipe
Here’s everything you’ll need to create these delectable cranberry crumb bars:
For the Crumble Topping and Crust:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Cranberry Filling:
- 12 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ cup orange juice
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
How to Make This cranberry crumb bars Recipe
Follow these simple steps to bake up a batch of irresistible cranberry crumb bars:
- 1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- 2. Make the Crumble: In a large bowl, combine the flour, cold cubed butter, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- 3. Form the Crust: Press half of the crumble mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan to form the crust. This needs to be a firm layer, so pack it down thoroughly.
- 4. Prepare the Filling: In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar, flour, orange juice, and orange zest. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens, about 10 to 15 minutes.
- 5. Assemble the Bars: Pour the cranberry filling evenly over the crust. Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture over the filling.
- 6. Bake: Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- 7. Cool and Cut: Let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. This will allow the filling to set properly. Chilling in the fridge can also help. Looking for more cranberry goodness combined with a citrus twist? Consider trying these Cranberry Lemon Dessert Bars for another delightful dessert sensation.
How to Serve This cranberry crumb bars Recipe
These cranberry crumb bars are a perfect treat any time of day. Serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert. Dust them with powdered sugar for an elegant touch. Serve them alongside a cup of hot coffee or tea for a cozy afternoon treat. They also pair especially well with whipped cream or a dollop of Greek yogurt. For a delightful summer twist, consider these similar Blackberry Pistachio Dessert Bars.
How to Store This cranberry crumb bars Recipe
To keep your cranberry crumb bars fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to a week. You can also freeze the bars for up to 2 months. To freeze, wrap them individually in plastic wrap or place them in a freezer safe container. Thaw completely before serving. Reheat in a warm oven or microwave for a few seconds to restore their warm, gooey texture.
Tips to Make This cranberry crumb bars Recipe
- Use cold butter: Cold butter is key to creating a crumbly texture.
- Don’t overmix: Overmixing the crumble topping will result in a tough crust.
- Adjust the sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet filling, reduce the amount of sugar.
- Add nuts: Mix chopped walnuts or pecans into the crumble topping for added flavor and texture.
Helpful Notes for This cranberry crumb bars Recipe
For the best flavor, use fresh, high quality cranberries.If you are using frozen cranberries, there’s no need to thaw them before cooking. Orange zest adds a lovely aroma and complements the tartness of the cranberries. Be sure to use a good quality baking pan for even baking.
Variation of This cranberry crumb bars Recipe
- Add spices: Incorporate a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger into the crumble topping for a warm, spiced flavor.
- Lemon Variation: Substitute lemon juice and zest for orange juice and zest for a bright, citrusy twist. If you love cranberry lemon bars, you might want to try Cranberry Lemon Dessert Bars 2.
- Nutty Crumble: Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the crumble mixture for extra texture and flavor.
How do you store cranberry crumb bars?
Cranberry crumb bars can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 2 months.
Can I use frozen cranberries for cranberry crumb bars?
Yes, you can use frozen cranberries! There’s no need to thaw them before using. Just add them directly to your filling mixture.
How do I prevent the bottom crust from getting soggy?
To prevent a soggy bottom crust, blind bake the bottom crust for a shorter amount of time before adding the cranberry filling. You can also add a thin layer of finely ground nuts or breadcrumbs to the bottom crust.
Can I make cranberry crumb bars ahead of time?
Absolutely! Cranberry crumb bars are a great make-ahead dessert. You can prepare them fully and store them in the refrigerator for a few days before serving, or freeze them for longer storage.
Conclusion
I hope this recipe brings as much joy to your kitchen as it has to mine. The combination of the sweet, buttery crumble and the tart cranberry filling creates a truly unforgettable treat. So go ahead, bake a batch of these amazing cranberry crumb bars and share the warmth and happiness with your loved ones. I can’t wait to hear what you think!
Cranberry Crumb Bars: The BEST Easy Holiday Dessert
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings 1x
Description
Sweet and tart cranberry filling nestled between layers of buttery crumble. Perfect for the holidays or any time you need a comforting treat.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 12 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ cup orange juice
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, cold butter, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut butter into flour until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Press half of crumble mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan to form the crust.
- In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, flour, orange juice, and orange zest. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until cranberries burst and mixture thickens, about 1015 minutes.
- Pour cranberry filling evenly over the crust. Sprinkle remaining crumble mixture over the filling.
- Bake for 3035 minutes, or until topping is golden brown and filling is bubbly.
- Let bars cool completely in pan before cutting into squares.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: cranberry, dessert, bars, crumble, holiday, baking