Description
Cranberry crumble pie bars bring festive holiday cheer with layers of buttery crust and tangy fruit. Sweet-tart cranberries nestled between crisp, golden streusel promise delightful seasonal comfort when you crave a classic dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit Base:
- 3 cups fresh cranberries
- 3/4 cup sugar
Crumble and Crust:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup unsalted butter
Dry and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Meticulously coat a baking dish with a light layer of cooking spray or butter to ensure effortless bar removal.
- Craft the foundational crumble by integrating dry pantry ingredients – flour, rolled oats, granulated and brown sugars, and a whisper of baking powder – then incorporate chilled butter using a pastry cutter or fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse, sandy terrain.
- Distribute precisely half of the crumbly mixture across the prepared pan, gently pressing to create a uniform, compact base layer that will support the fruity filling.
- Transform fresh cranberries into a vibrant filling by tossing them with sugar and a delicate dusting of flour, which will help thicken the natural fruit juices during baking.
- Elegantly cascade the cranberry mixture over the initial crumble foundation, ensuring an even, tempting distribution of tart crimson fruits.
- Artfully sprinkle the remaining crumble across the cranberry layer, creating a rustic, textured topping that will transform into a golden, crisp crown during baking.
- Slide the assembled dessert into a preheated oven, allowing it to bake until the surface achieves a rich, amber-brown hue and the cranberry filling bubbles enticingly around the edges.
- Remove from the oven and permit the bars to cool completely, which will help them set and make cutting into precise, clean squares much easier.
Notes
- Swap fresh cranberries with frozen ones directly from the freezer to maintain texture and prevent excess moisture during baking.
- Add a tablespoon of orange zest to the cranberry mixture for a bright, citrusy flavor that complements the tart berries.
- Include chopped nuts like pecans or almonds in the crumble topping for extra crunch and nutty depth.
- Create a gluten-free version by substituting regular flour with almond or oat flour for those with dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg