Cranberry Bars Recipe
Cranberry Bars are sweet, tart, and perfect for any season. This Cranberry Bars Recipe is easy to make at home and uses simple ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries chopped
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp orange juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
Prepare the Crust
- In a bowl, mix flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir until evenly combined.
Add Butter
- Add softened butter to the dry mixture. Use a fork or your fingers to mix until crumbly.
Press the Crust
- Press half of the crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. This forms the base layer.
Prepare the Filling
- In a small bowl, mix chopped cranberries, granulated sugar, orange juice, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Spread the Filling
- Evenly spread the cranberry mixture over the crust layer in the pan. Make sure it covers all areas.
Add Topping
- Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the cranberry filling. Press lightly to cover evenly.
Bake the Bars
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes or until the top is golden brown and cranberries are bubbly.
Cool the Bars
- Allow the cranberry bars to cool completely in the pan. This helps the filling set and makes cutting easier.
Cut and Serve
- Remove from pan using parchment paper edges. Cut into 12 squares and enjoy soft, tart, and sweet cranberry bars.
Notes
- Use fresh cranberries for a tart flavor. Frozen cranberries work too, just thaw first.
- Press the crust layer firmly for a sturdy base.
- Add a little orange zest to the filling for extra flavor.
- Bars can be made a day ahead; flavors improve overnight.
- Store in an airtight container to maintain freshness.