Cranberry Crumble Bars

Imagine a burst of tart cranberries nestled between a buttery, golden crumble. These Cranberry Crumble Bars are not just a dessert; they’re a cozy hug in bar form, perfect for any season.

Why You’ll Love These Cranberry Crumble Bars

Get ready to fall head over heels for these delightful cranberry bars! They truly hit all the right notes for a satisfying treat.

• Effortlessly Elegant: Impress your guests with minimal fuss and a beautiful presentation.
• Perfectly Balanced: The vibrant, tart cranberry filling beautifully complements the sweet, buttery crumble topping and crust.
• Versatile Treat: Ideal for breakfast, a coffee break, a lunchbox snack, or a satisfying dessert after dinner.
• Freezer-Friendly: Bake a batch and enjoy them whenever a craving strikes, making meal prep a breeze.
• Seasonal Star: A fantastic way to enjoy the bright flavor of fresh or frozen cranberries all year round.
• Simple Ingredients: You likely have most of the pantry staples needed for these bars already on hand.
• Chewy & Crumbly Texture: Every single bite offers a delightful contrast of a tender crust, jammy filling, and a crisp topping.

Ingredients Needed for Cranberry Crumble Bars

Crafting these irresistible cranberry crumble bars requires just a handful of simple ingredients. Quality components truly shine through in every bite, so choose wisely for the best results.

• For the crust and crumble:
  • 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour: Opt for unbleached flour for a consistently finer texture in your crust.
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar: White sugar provides the ideal sweetness, enhancing the richness of the butter.
  • 1/2 teaspoon (2.5g) salt: This is essential for balancing all the flavors and surprisingly, it also enhances the overall sweetness.
  • 3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed: Keeping the butter very cold is the secret to achieving a flaky, tender, and perfectly crumbly texture.
• For the cranberry filling:
  • 3 cups (340g) fresh or frozen cranberries: Fresh berries offer a brighter flavor, but frozen work perfectly without the need to thaw.
  • 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar: Adjust this amount according to the natural tartness of your cranberries and your personal sweet preference.
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) lemon juice: This brightens the cranberry flavor significantly, adding a lovely zesty kick.
  • 1 teaspoon (5g) cornstarch: Acts as a crucial thickening agent, ensuring your filling sets beautifully.
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) water: Helps the cornstarch dissolve smoothly and allows the cranberries to cook down into a luscious filling.

YOU MIGHT LOVE: Irresistible Salted Caramel Apple Bars for Fall – A delightful autumn treat with layers of sweet apples and crumbly topping.

Essential Equipment for Cranberry Crumble Bars

Having the right tools makes baking these cranberry crumble bars an absolute breeze, ensuring perfect results every single time you make them.

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• 8×8 inch (20x20cm) baking pan: This size is crucial for achieving the correct thickness and structure of your bars.
• Parchment paper: Utilizing parchment paper makes for effortless removal of the entire slab and simplifies cleanup significantly.
• Large mixing bowl: An ample bowl is essential for thoroughly combining your dry and wet ingredients for the crumble.
• Pastry cutter or fork: These tools help you work the cold butter into the flour mixture, achieving that perfect coarse crumb texture.
• Medium saucepan: Ideal for simmering the vibrant cranberry filling until it reaches the perfect consistency.
• Wire rack: Absolutely necessary for proper cooling and allowing your delicious bars to set completely.

Recipe Overview

Get ready to create these stunning cranberry crumble bars with surprising ease and enjoy a delightful homemade treat!

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes (includes cooling and chilling)
• Servings: 16 bars
• Difficulty: Easy

Step-by-Step Instructions for Cranberry Crumble Bars

Follow these simple steps to bake your very own batch of perfectly irresistible cranberry crumble bars. Each stage is designed for maximum flavor and ease, leading to a truly delightful dessert.

Prepare for Baking

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch (20x20cm) baking pan with parchment paper, allowing some overhang on two sides for simple bar removal later.

Craft the Crumbly Crust

2. In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly combine the flour, 1 cup of granulated sugar, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter. Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture forms coarse, sandy crumbs. Avoid overmixing to keep the crust tender.
3. Carefully reserve 1 cup (120g) of this delightful crumble mixture for the topping. Firmly press the remaining mixture into the bottom of your prepared baking pan, creating an even, compact crust. Bake this crust for 15 minutes until it appears lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly while you prepare the vibrant filling.

Create the Cranberry Filling

5. In a medium saucepan, combine the fresh or frozen cranberries, 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, and water. Cook this mixture over medium heat, stirring frequently. Continue until the cranberries begin to burst and the filling visibly thickens, which typically takes about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool for 5 minutes; this helps it set further. If the filling seems too thin, you can add another 1/2 teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with a splash of cold water and cook for another minute.

Assemble and Bake Your Cranberry Crumble Bars

6. Evenly spread the slightly cooled cranberry filling over the pre-baked crust. Then, generously sprinkle the reserved crumble mixture over the top of the cranberry layer, ensuring good coverage.
7. Bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the crumble topping turns a beautiful golden brown and the cranberry filling is visibly bubbling around the edges.
8. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This is crucial for the bars to firm up! Afterward, refrigerate them for at least 2 hours to ensure they set properly before cutting them into 16 perfect bars.

CHECK OUT: Lemon Raspberry Crumble Bars – Another fantastic fruit-filled bar, bright with citrus and berry flavors.

Tips for Success with Cranberry Crumble Bars

Achieve bakery-quality cranberry crumble bars every time you bake with these expert insider tips, ensuring perfect texture and flavor.

• Cold Butter is Key: Always ensure your butter is very cold and cut into small cubes. This creates pockets of steam, resulting in the flakiest, most tender crumble.
• Don’t Overmix: When making the crumble, work the butter into the flour mixture just enough to form coarse crumbs. Overmixing can develop gluten, leading to a tough crust.
• Cool Completely: Patience is vital! Cooling the bars completely at room temperature, then chilling them, allows the filling to set properly for clean, defined cuts.
• Taste the Cranberry Filling: Before spreading, taste a small amount of the cranberry filling. Adjust the sugar or lemon juice to achieve your preferred balance of tartness and sweetness.
• Parchment Paper Overhang: Leave generous overhangs of parchment paper on two sides of the pan. This ingenious trick makes lifting the entire cooled slab out of the pan incredibly easy.

Variations & Substitutions for Your Crumble Bars

Customize your cranberry crumble bars to suit various dietary needs or simply explore exciting new flavor profiles and textures.

• Gluten-Free: Easily substitute all-purpose flour with a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free baking blend for an equally delicious result.
• Dairy-Free: For a dairy-free option, use your favorite plant-based butter alternative in both the crust and the crumble mixture.
• Nutty Crunch: Elevate the texture by adding 1/2 cup of finely chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumble topping for an extra layer of flavor and crunch.
• Orange Zest Boost: Stir in 1 teaspoon of fresh orange zest into the cranberry filling. This adds an aromatic citrus note that beautifully complements the cranberries.
• Mixed Berries: For a delightful twist, swap half of the cranberries for other fresh or frozen berries like raspberries or blueberries, creating a unique mixed fruit delight.

Serving Suggestions for Cranberry Crumble Bars

These versatile cranberry crumble bars are utterly delicious on their own, but a few thoughtful additions can elevate them into an even more memorable treat.

• Warm with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: A classic and truly comforting pairing, the warm bars meld perfectly with melting vanilla ice cream.
• A Dollop of Whipped Cream: A generous dollop of freshly whipped cream adds a luxurious, creamy contrast to the tartness of the cranberries.
• Morning Coffee Companion: Enjoy a bar as a delightful start to your day or a perfect, satisfying mid-morning treat alongside your favorite brew.
• Powdered Sugar Dusting: For a simple yet elegant finish, a light dusting of powdered sugar adds a touch of sweetness and visual appeal.
• Non-Alcoholic Spiced Cider: A warm mug of non-alcoholic spiced apple cider complements the cozy, fruity flavors of the bars beautifully, especially in cooler weather.

Health Benefits of Cranberry Crumble Bars

Enjoying these cranberry crumble bars offers more than just deliciousness. Cranberries, the star ingredient, are packed with natural goodness!

• Rich in Antioxidants: Cranberries are renowned for their powerful antioxidant properties, which help combat free radicals in the body.
• Good Source of Fiber: These bars provide a good amount of dietary fiber, contributing to digestive health and helping you feel fuller longer.
• Vitamin C Boost: The cranberries offer a beneficial dose of Vitamin C, which is crucial for supporting a healthy immune system, particularly during colder months.
• Moderate Protein: Each serving provides a small amount of protein, contributing to your daily intake and supporting overall body function.

Storage & Reheating Your Cranberry Crumble Bars

Proper storage ensures your cranberry crumble bars remain fresh, flavorful, and perfectly textured for days to come, or even months!

• Refrigerator: Store any leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This maintains their freshness and prevents them from drying out.
• Freezer: For longer storage, wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw frozen bars at room temperature for several hours before serving.
• Reheating: Enjoy the bars chilled straight from the fridge for a firm texture. Alternatively, warm them briefly in the microwave (15-30 seconds) for a just-baked, gooey feel. Be careful not to over-microwave to prevent a soggy crust.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cranberry Crumble Bars

Have common questions about making the perfect cranberry crumble bars? We’ve got straightforward answers to help you succeed every time!

Can I use frozen cranberries?

Absolutely! You can use fresh or frozen cranberries interchangeably for this recipe. There’s no need to thaw frozen cranberries before adding them to the filling mixture; they’ll cook down beautifully.

Why is my crumble not crumbly?

Ensure your butter is very cold. If the mixture becomes too warm during mixing, the butter melts, leading to a doughy rather than a distinctly crumbly texture. If this happens, you can chill the mixture briefly before proceeding.

How do I know when the cranberry filling is thick enough?

The filling is ready when the cranberries have burst and the mixture noticeably coats the back of a spoon. It should appear bubbly and thick as it simmers in the saucepan.

Can I make these bars ahead of time?

Yes, these cranberry crumble bars are excellent for making ahead! They actually need at least 2 hours to chill and set properly, making them perfect for preparing the day before an event or gathering.

What if my crust is too hard?

A hard crust usually indicates that the butter was overmixed or became too warm, which can cause the gluten in the flour to develop excessively. For a tender crust, work the butter into the flour just until coarse crumbs form.

More Delicious Dishes to Try

If you loved these Cranberry Crumble Bars, we invite you to explore more delightful recipes from our kitchen. Expand your baking repertoire with these fantastic options!

• Apple Pie Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars: Experience the comforting warmth of apple pie captured in an easy-to-make bar format.
• Heavenly Summer Peach Bars: Savor the sweet, juicy flavors of ripe summer peaches, baked into a convenient and delightful bar.
• Pumpkin Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting: Indulge in these incredibly soft, spiced pumpkin bars, generously topped with a rich and tangy cream cheese frosting.

Conclusion

These Cranberry Crumble Bars are truly a celebration of vibrant flavor and delightful texture, promising to bring joy with every single bite. We sincerely hope you cherish making and sharing them as much as we do!

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