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Cranberry Crumble Bars Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 89 reviews
  • Author: Julian
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 16 servings 1x

Description

Delight in these Cranberry Crumble Bars, featuring a buttery shortbread crust layered with a tart cranberry filling and topped with a golden, crumbly topping. Perfectly balanced with citrus and warm spices, these bars offer a festive treat ideal for holiday gatherings or anytime you crave a fruity, crumbly dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

Shortbread Dough

  • 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup (100 g) light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 1/4 cups (405 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Cranberry Filling

  • 2 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 2/3 cup (133 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1 tablespoon orange juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Vanilla Glaze

  • 3/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted
  • 4 tablespoons whole milk or heavy cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Cream the Butter and Sugars: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to incorporate all ingredients evenly.
  2. Add Egg and Vanilla: Add the large egg and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract to the creamed mixture. Mix until fully combined, scraping down the bowl sides again to ensure thorough mixing.
  3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and kosher salt until well combined.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry: Add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients in the mixer bowl. Mix just until the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl. Be careful not to overmix to keep the dough tender.
  5. Reserve Dough for Topping: Remove approximately 2 cups of the dough, loosely packed, and set aside to use later as the crumble topping.
  6. Press Base Layer: Press the remaining dough evenly into the bottom and up the sides of an 8 x 8 inch baking pan lined with parchment paper. Use your hands or the flat side of a measuring cup for even distribution.
  7. Pre-Bake Shortbread Crust: Bake the crust at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes, until the edges are slightly golden and the center is set but not browned. Avoid overbaking.
  8. Prepare the Cranberry Filling: While the crust cools slightly, mix together the fresh or frozen cranberries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, orange zest, orange juice, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract in a large bowl until evenly combined.
  9. Assemble Filling: Pour the cranberry filling over the slightly cooled pre-baked crust, spreading it evenly.
  10. Add Crumble Topping: Break the reserved dough into smaller, flat pieces with your hands. Scatter these pieces over the cranberry layer, ensuring some gaps for the filling to peek through.
  11. Bake the Bars: Bake for about 45 minutes total. Cover the top of the pan loosely with aluminum foil for the last 10 to 15 minutes to prevent the topping from becoming too dark.
  12. Cool Completely: Remove the bars from the oven and place the pan on a wire rack. Let the bars cool completely before applying the vanilla glaze.
  13. Prepare Vanilla Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the sifted powdered sugar, milk or heavy cream, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable. Drizzle or spread over the cooled bars before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Use fresh cranberries during cranberry season or frozen cranberries from the freezer aisle for convenience.
  • Ensure butter and egg are at room temperature to achieve a smooth and fluffy dough.
  • Do not overmix the dough when combining dry and wet ingredients to keep the texture tender.
  • Line the baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal and cleaner slicing.
  • Cover with foil during the last part of baking to prevent the topping from burning.
  • Allow bars to cool completely to let the filling set well and the glaze to adhere properly.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: cranberry crumble bars, cranberry dessert bars, holiday dessert, shortbread bars, cranberry filling

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Find it online: https://juliandempsey.com/cranberry-crumble-bars-recipe/