Description
Sweet and tangy cranberry crumble bars shine with a buttery crust and crumbly streusel topping, perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy afternoon treats. Homemade goodness calls you to savor each delightful, rustic bite of seasonal comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3.25 cups all-purpose flour
- 2.5 cups cranberries
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 large egg, room temperature
Sugars and Sweeteners:
- 1.5 cups granulated sugar
- 0.75 cup light brown sugar
- 0.75 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Flavor Enhancers and Liquids:
- 4 tablespoons milk or cream
- 2.5 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1 tablespoon orange juice
- 0.75 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 0.25 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract, blending thoroughly.
- Separate and set aside 2 cups of dough for topping. Gently press remaining dough into a parchment-lined 8×8 inch baking pan, creating an even base layer.
- Bake the crust at 350°F for 15 minutes until lightly golden around edges.
- While crust bakes, prepare filling by combining cranberries, sugar, cornstarch, orange zest, orange juice, and vanilla in a separate bowl, stirring until ingredients are well integrated.
- Pour cranberry mixture evenly over pre-baked crust, ensuring uniform coverage.
- Crumble reserved dough into small, irregular pieces and distribute across the filling, creating a rustic, textured topping.
- Return pan to oven, baking at 350°F for 45 minutes. Tent with aluminum foil during the final 15 minutes to prevent excessive browning.
- Remove from oven and allow bars to cool completely at room temperature.
- Prepare glaze by whisking ingredients until smooth. Drizzle glaze over cooled bars in an artistic pattern.
Notes
- Softening Butter Ensure butter is at room temperature for smooth, even creaming that creates a lighter texture.
- Zesting Technique Use a microplane or fine grater to capture only the bright orange outer layer, avoiding bitter white pith.
- Cornstarch Trick Toss cranberries with cornstarch before adding to filling to prevent excess liquid and create a perfectly thickened consistency.
- Make-Ahead Magic Prepare bars a day in advance; they often taste even better after flavors meld overnight in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 168
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 78 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 24 mg