Cranberry Crumb Bars – Baker by Nature

November 22, 2022

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These scrumptious cranberry crumb bars function a golden brown shortbread crust, custard cranberry filling, and buttery crumb topping. Orange zest and orange juice add simply the correct amount of orange taste. And you should utilize recent cranberries or frozen cranberries for the cranberry combination.

Cranberry Crumble Pie Bars

I make no effort in hiding the truth that on the subject of vacation flavors, I undoubtedly play favorites. Don’t get me unsuitable… I really like all of them. I’ll take eggnog something, gingerbread every thing, and peppermint mocha flavored goodies all season lengthy.

However it’s ruby crimson tart cranberries that really personal my coronary heart this time of yr! I bake with them as typically as I can… and principally hoard them whereas they’re in season so my freezer has them in inventory all-year-round.

Should you’re searching for a simple last-minute vacation dessert, look no additional than these cranberry pie bars! They’re tremendous straightforward to throw collectively, don’t require hours of prep or cooling. And are particularly beloved by those that favor desserts that aren’t “too” candy.

And you’ll all the time make them sweeter by including the non-compulsory glaze recipe… or topping them with a large scoop of vanilla ice cream. Or: BOTH! I gained’t choose you!

Elements for Cranberry Bars:

Butter: Make sure you use the quantity referred to as for and convey it to room temperature earlier than beating it. Should you don’t have an electrical hand mixer or stand mixer, you possibly can convey the dough collectively in a meals processor. Simply don’t over work it!
Sugar: Each granulated sugar and lightweight brown sugar are used; don’t sub all of 1 for one more or your bars will lack correct taste and texture.
All-Function Flour: I don’t counsel utilizing every other number of flour on this recipe.
Floor Cinnamon: Provides simply the correct amount of heat spice to this cranberry dessert!
Salt: Each enhances flavors and balances the general sweetness on this recipe.
Eggs: Make sure you use giant eggs, and convey them to room temperature earlier than including them to the batter.
Bitter Cream: Full-fat works finest right here! Should you can’t discover bitter cream, a thick Greek-style full-fat yogurt will work.
Orange Juice: Ideally freshly-squeezed OJ! You should use the identical orange you zest, however ensure you seize an additional one or two, as you possibly can by no means predict how a lot (or little) juice an orange will yield.
Cornstarch: Our secret ingredient to a thick custard-like filling. Do NOT skip this!
Vanilla Extract: As all the time, I counsel utilizing high-quality vanilla, and never imitation or synthetic vanilla.
Orange Zest: Make sure you finely grate it, and solely get the orange peel, not the white pith, which might be bitter to the style.
Almond Extract: That is non-compulsory! I really like the refined almond taste with the cranberries and orange, however in case you typically end up regretting the addition of almond or discover it overpowering, I counsel leaving it out.
Complete Cranberries: Contemporary or frozen work effective right here. Should you’re utilizing frozen cranberries, do NOT thaw them first. Additionally, dried cranberries and cranberry sauce is not going to work on this recipe.

Let’s Make Cranberry Bars:

Preheat the and prep your pan: you’ll want a 9×13-inch baking pan and also you’ll need to line it with parchment paper in order that the paper overhangs on two of the ends. It will assist you take away the bars in a single strong slab as soon as they’re baked and cooled. Make sure you additionally spray with non-stick baking spray. A steel or aluminized metal pan works finest right here, however glass and ceramic will work. You would possibly want to extend the bake time a couple of minutes in case you use a kind of pans as a result of they take longer to conduct warmth.
Beat collectively the butter and each sugars till mild and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Take your time right here and actually let it fluff up! Should you discover it’s clumping across the fringe of the bowl, cease the mixer, scrape it down with a spatula, then carry on mixing.
Add within the dry elements (flour combination) and blend JUST till mixed. The dough might be fairly crumbly and that is completely regular.
Use a measuring cup to take away 2 cups of the crumbs. Put them in a bowl and set them apart for a later use (your crumb topping!).
Press the remaining crumbs evenly into the underside of the ready baking pan and bake for quarter-hour. Take away from the oven and set on a cooling rack to chill. Maintain oven temperature at 350.
In a big bowl, whisk collectively the eggs, bitter cream, each sugars, orange juice, flour, cornstarch, vanilla, orange zest, almond extract, and cinnamon. Fold in 2 and ½ cups of the cranberries. Don’t fear if it appears skinny! That is regular. It’ll thicken up because it bakes.
Pour the filling combination over the par-baked crust, then sprinkle on the remainder of the cranberries.
Crumble the reserved crust evenly on high of the batter. Use your palms to sort of pinch it into giant clumps.
Bake, then take away from the oven and funky fully, at the very least 1 hour! Then slice and serve!

If you wish to make a easy orange glaze to make these bars sweeter, can also whisk collectively some powdered sugar and orange juice. Drizzle on high of cake and let set earlier than slicing, about 5 minutes. Or you possibly can skip the glaze and simply high with ice cream! Or… do each. Completely your name!

Leap to the recipe beneath for the complete recipe listing and directions!

Extra Cranberry Recipes: