Description
Cranberry crumble pie bars meld sweet and tart flavors in a delightful dessert that promises comfort and indulgence. Crisp buttery crumble, rich filling, and rustic charm make these bars irresistible for seasonal gatherings or quiet moments when you crave something special.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup oats
Butter and Binding Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Dry and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly coat a baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Create the crumble base by blending flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, and baking powder in a mixing bowl until uniformly combined.
- Cut cold butter into small cubes and incorporate into the dry mixture, using fingertips or a pastry cutter to transform the ingredients into a coarse, sandy texture.
- Gently press approximately half of the crumble mixture into the prepared baking dish, ensuring an even, compact layer that will serve as the foundational crust.
- In a separate mixing bowl, toss fresh cranberries with granulated sugar, fragrant lemon zest, and aromatic vanilla extract until the berries are evenly coated.
- Distribute the cranberry mixture uniformly across the pressed crumble crust, creating a vibrant and tangy layer.
- Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture over the cranberry layer, creating a rustic, textured topping.
- Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, watching for a golden-brown color and slightly bubbling edges.
- Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature before slicing into neat, square portions.
Notes
- Swap frozen cranberries for fresh ones, ensuring they’re thawed and patted dry to prevent excess moisture in the bars.
- Reduce sugar content by using tart cranberries and adding a sprinkle of cinnamon for natural sweetness without extra calories.
- Create a gluten-free version by substituting regular flour with almond or oat flour, maintaining the same crumbly texture.
- Enhance flavor by adding chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumble mixture for extra crunch and nutty depth.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg