Cranberry Bars with Crumble Topping

5 from 1 vote
1 Comment
Jill Mills
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My delicious Cranberry Bars have a delightful light crust and topping that makes them a mix between a classic dessert bar and a simple coffee cake. You will fall in love with the fresh cranberry tartness paired with simple ingredients for a sweet treat that is ideal for your next gathering.

Can’t get enough cranberry? Try these Cranberry Sandwich Cookies too.

Tall stack cranberry crumble bars

Cranberry Bars with Crumble Topping

When it comes to any type of crumble bars, I am hooked. They are easy to take as a treat to a get-together and they are perfect for a simple dessert. This time of year, I like to change it up from the traditional crumble bars and make something that is perfect for Christmas. If you love the sweet-tart taste of cranberries, this is the perfect dessert for you to try.

Can I Freeze This Cranberry Squares Recipe?

If you have extra cranberry squares, you can freeze them. I like to cut them into squares and then freeze them. I layer them in an airtight container with parchment between them. This lets me take out a few at a time instead of having to take them all out.

Cranberry crumble bar stacks

Ingredients for Cranberry Crumble Bars

  • Flour
  • Sugar
  • Baking powder
  • Salt
  • Unsalted sweet cream butter
  • Egg
  • Fresh cranberries
  • Sugar
  • Unsweetened applesauce
  • Pure maple syrup
  • Orange
  • Cornstarch
  • Water
  • Pecan chips

How to Make Cranberry Bars

Preheat the oven to 350 and line a 9*13 baking dish parchment paper.

Using a mixer, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder.

Cranberry bars crust dry ingredients in mixing bowl

Mix in the butter until crumbly
Next, beat in the egg until combined. Reserve 1 cup of the crust to make the topping.  Use the remaining to create the crust by pressing it into the baking dish.
Cranberry bars crust
Combine 3 cups of cranberries, sugar, applesauce, maple syrup, orange zest and salt in a large saucepan. Bring it to a boil then gradually mix in the cranberries.  Reduce this to a simmer.
In a bowl, mix together water and cornstarch. Pour it into the saucepan and combine it.
Cranberry filling ingredients in large bowl
Cook for 2 minutes or until cranberry filling is thick.
Cooking down cranberry mixture in large pot
Mix in the remaining cranberries and then spread the filling onto the prepared crust.
Cranberry crumble bar stacks

How to Make Crumble Topping

Take the reserved crust mixture and add it over the cranberry filling and top with pecan chips.  Now, you will bake the bars for 35-40 minutes or until they have turned a slight golden brown on top.

Let the cranberry bars cool completely before cutting into portions.
A stack of cranberry bars with crumb topping

Other Cranberry Desserts You Will Love…

Cranberry Crumble Bars Stacked
5 from 1 vote

Cranberry Bars with Crumble Topping

My delicious Cranberry Bars have a delightful light crust and topping that makes them a mix between a classic dessert bar and a simple coffee cake. You will fall in love with the fresh cranberry tartness paired with simple ingredients for a sweet treat that is ideal for your next gathering.
Servings: 12
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Print Rate

Ingredients
  

Crust Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 C flour
  • 1/2 C sugar
  • 3/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 C unsalted sweet cream butter softened
  • 1 large egg

Cranberry Filling

  • 6 C fresh cranberries about 3 12oz bags
  • 2/3 C sugar
  • 1/2 C unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/3 C pure maple syrup
  • Zest of one large orange
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp cornstarch
  • 1 1/2 tbsp cold water
  • 3/4 C pecan chips

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a 9x13 baking dish with parchment paper
  • Using a standing mixer, mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder until combined
  • Mix in the butter until crumbly
  • Beat in the egg until combined. Set aside about 1 C of the crust to use for the topping
  • Press the remaining crust into the baking dish
  • Set aside
  • Using a large saucepan, combine 3 C of cranberries, sugar, applesauce, maple syrup, orange zest, and salt
  • Place saucepan over medium heat, and bring to a boil.
  • Gradually mix the cranberries.
  • Once cranberries seem soft, reduce the heat to simmer
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until combined
  • Pour cornstarch mixture into the saucepan and mix until combined.
  • Cook for 2 minutes or until cranberry filling is thick
  • Mix in the remaining cranberries
  • Spread the filling onto the prepared crust
  • Sprinkle remaining crust onto the cranberry filling and top with pecan chips
  • bake in the oven for about 35-40 minutes or until top is a slight golden brown.
  • Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before cutting into bars!
  • Enjoy!!

Last Step:

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Nutrition

Calories: 408kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 157mg | Potassium: 160mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 528IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 2mg

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Cranberry Crumble Bars Stacked

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Cranberry crumble bar stacks

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