Why Make This Recipe
Cranberry Crumble Bars are a delightful treat that combine sweet and tart flavors. If you want something simple yet impressive, these bars are perfect. They are easy to make and great for sharing at parties or enjoying with a cup of tea. Plus, the bright color of cranberries makes them visually appealing!
How to Make Cranberry Crumble Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add in the flour and salt, mixing until just combined.
- Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.
- In a separate bowl, mix the cranberries, orange juice, and vanilla extract to create the filling. Pour the filling over the crust.
- Crumble remaining crust mixture on top of the cranberry layer.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
- Let cool completely before drizzling with a mixture of powdered sugar and milk for the glaze.
- Cut into bars and serve.
How to Serve Cranberry Crumble Bars
You can serve Cranberry Crumble Bars at room temperature. They are perfect for snacks, desserts, or even a picnic treat. You might want to add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side for an extra special touch!
How to Store Cranberry Crumble Bars
Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can place them in the refrigerator for about a week. You can also freeze the bars for up to 3 months. Just make sure to wrap them well to prevent freezer burn.
Tips to Make Cranberry Crumble Bars
- Ensure the butter is at room temperature to make it easy to cream with the sugar.
- If you like, you can add chopped nuts for extra crunch in the crumble topping.
- For a sweeter filling, you can add a bit more sugar to the cranberry mixture.
Variation
You can easily switch out cranberries for other fruits like blueberries or raspberries. Just adjust the amount of sugar depending on the tartness of the fruit.
FAQs
1. Can I use frozen cranberries?
Yes, you can use frozen cranberries. Just make sure to thaw and drain them before mixing with the other ingredients.
2. How do I know when the bars are done baking?
The bars are done when the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
3. Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure to check that all other ingredients are gluten-free as well.
Cranberry Crumble Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter Ensure the butter is at room temperature.
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour Can be substituted with gluten-free flour.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup fresh cranberries Frozen cranberries can be used; thaw and drain them first.
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar For glazing.
- 1 tablespoon milk For the glaze.
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add in the flour and salt, mixing until just combined.
- Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.
- In a separate bowl, mix the cranberries, orange juice, and vanilla extract to create the filling. Pour the filling over the crust.
- Crumble remaining crust mixture on top of the cranberry layer.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
- Let cool completely before drizzling with a mixture of powdered sugar and milk for the glaze.
- Cut into bars and serve.