After a festive holiday gathering, it’s common to find yourself with leftover cranberry sauce. Instead of letting it go to waste, transform that sweet and tangy condiment into a truly delightful dessert: easy Cranberry Crumble Bars! These bars offer a fantastic way to extend the holiday spirit, bringing comfort and flavor long after the main feast is over. They’re not just a solution for leftovers; they’re a delicious treat in their own right, perfect for any occasion when you crave a blend of tart fruit and buttery goodness.
Why You’ll Love These Cranberry Crumble Bars
There’s so much to adore about these cranberry bars. They masterfully combine the vibrant, sweet-tart essence of cranberry sauce with a rich, buttery, and irresistibly crumbly crust. Each bite is a symphony of textures and flavors, making them an instant favorite. Imagine a tender, golden-brown crust giving way to a soft, fruity filling, all topped with a delicate crumble that adds the perfect crunch. It’s a dessert that feels both homemade and sophisticated, yet remarkably simple to prepare.
Beyond their incredible taste, what truly makes these bars shine is their effortless preparation. You only need five staple ingredients for the base and crumble, and the star of the show – your leftover cranberry sauce – becomes the flavorful filling. This recipe is wonderfully forgiving and incredibly adaptable. Don’t have quite enough cranberry sauce? No problem! Mix in some raspberry, blueberry, or even apricot jam to make up the difference and add a new layer of flavor. This flexibility encourages creativity in the kitchen, allowing you to tailor the bars to your preferred taste profile or whatever ingredients you have on hand. They are perfect for last-minute entertaining or a cozy night in, promising a delicious outcome every time.
Essential Ingredients for Your Cranberry Bars
Crafting these delectable cranberry bars requires only a handful of common pantry items. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating the perfect balance of flavor and texture:
- Cranberry Sauce: The heart of the filling, providing that signature sweet and tart flavor. Use homemade or your favorite store-bought variety.
- Egg Yolk: Adds richness and helps bind the crumble dough, contributing to its tender texture.
- All-Purpose Flour: Forms the structural base of the buttery crust and crumble topping.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens both the crust and complements the tartness of the cranberries.
- Unsalted Butter: Essential for a rich, tender, and crumbly crust. Ensure it’s softened for easy blending.
- Baking Powder: Provides a slight lift to the crust, making it light and airy.
Crafting Your Delicious Cranberry Crumble Bars: A Step-by-Step Guide
This recipe for cranberry crumble bars is a delightful adaptation of my popular Red, White, and Blueberry Crumble Bars, a recipe originally designed for larger gatherings. For these cranberry bars, we’re scaling it down to an 8×8-inch pan, making it perfect for smaller portions or when you want just enough to satisfy a craving without overwhelming your kitchen. The process is straightforward, ensuring even novice bakers can achieve impressive results. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the minimal effort required for maximum flavor.
Adjusting the original recipe, which called for a 9×13-inch pan and a whole egg, meant a slight modification for our smaller 8×8-inch version. For the perfect consistency, we only need half an egg for the crust. While this might sound a bit unconventional, using just the yolk adds richness without adding too much liquid, which is crucial for a perfectly crumbly texture. Don’t waste the leftover egg white! You can easily add it to scrambled eggs for breakfast, ensuring nothing goes to waste in your kitchen. This small adjustment ensures your cranberry bars have the ideal structure and melt-in-your-mouth quality.
- Prepare Your Pan and Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare an 8×8-inch baking pan by either greasing it lightly or lining it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides to easily lift the cooled bars later. This step ensures easy removal and clean slices.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, and baking powder. Whisk these dry ingredients together until they are well combined and there are no lumps. This helps distribute the leavening agent evenly.
- Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Add the softened butter and the egg yolk to the dry ingredient mixture. Using a fork or a pastry cutter, work the butter and egg into the flour mixture until a crumbly dough forms. The texture should resemble coarse meal with some larger pea-sized crumbs. Avoid overmixing; just combine until uniform.
- Form the Base: Take half of the prepared crumbly dough and press it evenly into the bottom of your lined 8×8-inch baking pan. Use your fingers or the back of a spoon to create a firm, compact layer. This will form the sturdy and delicious base of your bars.
- Spread the Cranberry Filling: Evenly spread your cranberry sauce over the pressed dough layer. Aim for a consistent layer from edge to edge. If your cranberry sauce is very thick, you might gently warm it slightly to make it easier to spread.
- Add the Crumble Topping: Generously sprinkle the remaining half of the crumbly dough over the cranberry layer. Don’t press this layer down; leave it loose and crumbly for that classic crumble bar texture. This topping will bake into a golden, buttery crust.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the pan in your preheated oven and bake for approximately 30-35 minutes, or until the crumble topping turns a beautiful golden brown and the edges are slightly set. The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven.
- Cool Completely: This is a crucial step! Allow the cranberry crumble bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before attempting to cut them. Cooling allows the filling to set properly and prevents the bars from falling apart. Once cool, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire slab from the pan, then cut into desired squares.
When it comes to the cranberry sauce filling, the original recipe suggests 2 cups, which creates a wonderfully thick and luscious layer. However, the true beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability. Holiday leftovers often mean varying amounts, and you might find yourself with something like 1.5 cups, or even just a single cup. Feel free to use whatever quantity of cranberry sauce you have on hand; even one cup would provide a delicious minimum layer of fruit. If you desire a thicker layer but are short on cranberry sauce, simply supplement the amount by adding a little fruit jam. A raspberry-cranberry combination, for instance, would be absolutely delightful, adding an extra layer of berry sweetness and complexity. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different jam flavors to find your perfect blend!
These Cranberry Sauce Bars are not just a dessert; they’re a celebration of holiday flavors, creatively repurposed into an irresistible treat. They embody comfort and joy, making them the perfect finale to any meal or a delightful companion to your afternoon tea or coffee.
Creative Cranberry Bar Variations and Customization
One of the best aspects of these cranberry bars is their incredible versatility, allowing for endless customization to suit your taste or the ingredients you have available. As previously mentioned, supplementing your cranberry sauce with various jams can drastically alter the flavor profile. While raspberry or blueberry jam complements cranberry sauce beautifully, don’t shy away from more adventurous pairings. Imagine the vibrant tang of apricot jam, the classic sweetness of strawberry, or even the zesty brightness of orange marmalade weaving through your cranberry filling. Each addition promises a unique and delicious experience.
Beyond the filling, the crust and topping also offer exciting opportunities for variation. For a different flavor and texture, consider adding a few tablespoons of graham cracker crumbs, ground oats, or even finely crushed gingersnap cookies to your dough mixture. This will introduce new depths of flavor and a delightful chewiness. To truly elevate these bars, incorporate some exciting add-ins. Chopped toasted pecans, walnuts, or almonds would provide a wonderful nutty crunch. For chocolate lovers, mini chocolate chips (white, milk, or dark) can turn these into a decadent treat. A touch of orange zest mixed into the dough or sprinkled over the top before baking can also brighten the overall flavor, harmonizing perfectly with the cranberries. These simple tweaks can transform your cranberry bars into a completely new dessert every time you bake them!
Tips for Perfect Cranberry Crumble Bars
Achieving bakery-quality cranberry crumble bars is simple with a few key tips. Firstly, ensure your butter is genuinely softened, not melted, for the crust. This allows for proper incorporation with the dry ingredients, leading to that ideal crumbly texture. When pressing the base into the pan, aim for an even, firm layer – this prevents a soggy bottom and provides a stable foundation for your filling. Don’t overmix the dough, as this can develop the gluten too much, resulting in a tough crust instead of a tender one. Finally, resist the urge to cut into the bars immediately after baking. Cooling completely allows the cranberry filling to set properly, preventing the bars from crumbling and making them much easier to slice neatly. Patience is a virtue when it comes to perfect dessert bars!
Serving Suggestions for Cranberry Bars
These versatile cranberry bars are perfect for a variety of occasions and can be enjoyed in many ways. Serve them at room temperature as a delightful snack or a casual dessert with coffee or tea. For an extra special treat, warm them slightly in the microwave and top with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. The warm, gooey cranberry filling combined with cold ice cream is a truly indulgent experience. They also make an excellent addition to holiday dessert platters, brunch spreads, or packed lunches. Consider a light dusting of powdered sugar just before serving for an elegant finish.
How to Store Cranberry Crumble Bars for Freshness
To maintain the freshness and quality of your cranberry crumble bars, proper storage is key. Store the cooled bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. This helps keep the crust crisp and the filling fresh. If you’re planning to bake ahead for holiday trays or simply want to enjoy these delicious treats later, these bars freeze exceptionally well. Cut the cooled bars into individual squares, then arrange them in a single layer in an airtight freezer-safe container. You can also place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. They can be frozen for up to one to two months. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours. A quick reheat in a toaster oven can help restore some of their fresh-baked crispness.
Cranberry Bars Recipe FAQs
The most accurate answer is: it should be both! Most people agree that the best cranberry sauce achieves a delightful balance of sweetness and tartness, making it incredibly complex and appealing. The exact ratio often comes down to personal preference. When making these bars, feel free to use your favorite cranberry sauce, whether you prefer it on the sweeter side or with a more pronounced tart zing.
No, for food safety reasons, you should not leave cranberry sauce out overnight at room temperature. Cranberry sauce, whether homemade or store-bought, should be refrigerated promptly after your meal is finished. Always store any remaining sauce in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to serve it again or incorporate it into a delicious recipe like these cranberry bars.
Cranberry jelly is typically the firmer, gelatinous form of cranberry preserve, often recognized by its ability to hold a solid, can-shaped tube when removed from its packaging. It has a very smooth texture and is generally sweeter. Cranberry sauce, on the other hand, is usually spoonable, often contains whole or broken cranberries, offering a more rustic texture. It strikes a balance between sweet and tart. Many holiday tables offer both options to cater to different preferences!
While this recipe specifically calls for pre-made cranberry sauce, you can certainly make your own sauce from frozen cranberries! Simply follow a standard cranberry sauce recipe (cranberries, sugar, water/orange juice) and then use the resulting sauce as directed in these bar instructions. Using fresh or frozen cranberries directly in the bar filling will yield a different texture and require additional sugar and liquid, effectively making a new sauce from scratch within the bars, which is not what this recipe is designed for.
📖 Recipe: Cranberry Crumble Bars
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Cranberry Crumble Bars
Ingredients
Dough
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 ½ cups flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 egg yolk
Filling
- 2 cups cranberry sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare an 8×8-inch pan by greasing or lining with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the sugar, flour, and baking powder. Use a fork or pastry cutter to blend in the butter and egg yolk. Dough will be crumbly.
- Press half the dough into the prepared pan.
- Spread the cranberry sauce evenly over the dough to make an even layer. Crumble the remaining dough over the cranberry layer.
- Bake in preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is slightly brown. Cool completely before cutting into squares.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.