Cranberry Crumb Bars Recipe

Close-up of crumbly, golden Cranberry Crumb Bars, with one bar standing upright to showcase its thick fruit filling nestled between layers of buttery crumble. The bars are cut into squares and tightly arranged.

Cranberry Crumb Bars Recipe

These Cranberry Crumb Bars are sweet, tangy, and buttery, with a shortbread-style base, luscious cranberry filling, and a golden crumb topping. They slice beautifully and are perfect for Christmas parties, potlucks, or anytime you need a festive cranberry dessert.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword cranberry bars, cranberry crumb bars, Cranberry dessert bars, holiday cranberry bars

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 45

Cooling: 2

Total Time 3 5

Servings

Calories 291kcal

Author Michele Feuerborn

Ingredients

For the Crust and Topping:

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup cold unsalted butter cubed
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cranberry Filling:

3 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
½ cup orange juice
1 teaspoon orange zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in cold butter until coarse crumbs form. Add egg and vanilla; stir until crumbly.
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup cold unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon salt
Press two-thirds of the mixture firmly into the bottom of the pan.
Cook cranberries, sugar, cornstarch, orange juice, and zest for 8–10 minutes, stirring often, until thickened. Stir in vanilla; remove from heat.
3 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, 1 cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, ½ cup orange juice, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon orange zest
Spread cranberry filling evenly over the crust. Crumble remaining dough over the top.
Bake for 40–45 minutes, until golden brown.
Cool completely for at least 2 hours, then lift out using parchment and slice.

Notes

Add ½ cup pecans or walnuts to the topping if you like.
Chill before slicing for clean edges.
Dust with powdered sugar for a festive look.
Increase filling sugar to 1¼ cups for sweeter bars.
Double the orange zest for extra citrus.
Freeze up to 3 months; thaw overnight.

Nutrition