why make this recipe
Cranberry Crumble Pie Bars are a delightful dessert that combines the tartness of cranberries with a sweet and crunchy topping. These bars are perfect for the holiday season or any time you want a tasty treat. They are easy to make, and their beautiful presentation makes them great for sharing at gatherings or enjoying at home.
how to make Cranberry Crumble Pie Bars
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup cranberries, fresh or frozen
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (for topping)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (for topping)
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup melted butter (for topping)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 1-2 tablespoons orange juice (for glaze)
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar. Add 2 cups of flour and salt, mixing until crumbly. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared dish.
- In another bowl, combine the cranberries, orange juice, brown sugar, and orange zest. Pour the cranberry mixture over the crust.
- For the crumble topping, mix the oats, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a bowl. Add the melted butter and mix until crumbly. Sprinkle this mixture over the cranberry filling.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until the topping is golden brown.
- While the bars are baking, prepare the orange glaze by mixing powdered sugar with orange juice until smooth.
- Once the bars are done, let them cool, and then drizzle the orange glaze over the top. Cut into squares and serve.
how to serve Cranberry Crumble Pie Bars
Serve these bars warm or at room temperature. They are great on their own or paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Drizzle some extra orange glaze on top for an added touch of sweetness!
how to store Cranberry Crumble Pie Bars
To store the bars, cover them with plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container. They can last for about 3-4 days at room temperature, or you can keep them in the fridge for up to a week. For longer storage, consider freezing them.
tips to make Cranberry Crumble Pie Bars
- Make sure your butter is softened for easy mixing.
- Use fresh cranberries if you can, but frozen ones work well too. Just don’t thaw them first.
- Don’t skip the orange glaze; it adds a lovely finish to the bars.
- Check the bars in the oven to ensure they do not overbake.
variation
For variation, you can add nuts like pecans or walnuts to the crumble topping for a richer flavor. You can also try using different fruits, such as blueberries or raspberries, instead of cranberries.
FAQs
Q: Can I use substitute butter with margarine?
A: Yes, you can use margarine in place of butter, but it may change the flavor slightly.
Q: Can I make these bars ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can make these bars a day ahead. Just store them properly as mentioned above.
Q: Is there a way to make these bars gluten-free?
A: Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that works for baking.
Cranberry Crumble Pie Bars
Ingredients
For the crust
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the filling
- 1 cup cranberries, fresh or frozen
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
For the crumble topping
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup melted butter
For the glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons orange juice
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar.
- Add 2 cups of flour and salt, mixing until crumbly. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared dish.
- In another bowl, combine the cranberries, orange juice, brown sugar, and orange zest. Pour the cranberry mixture over the crust.
- For the crumble topping, mix the oats, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a bowl. Add the melted butter and mix until crumbly. Sprinkle this mixture over the cranberry filling.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until the topping is golden brown.
- While the bars are baking, prepare the orange glaze by mixing powdered sugar with orange juice until smooth.
- Once the bars are done, let them cool, and then drizzle the orange glaze over the top. Cut into squares and serve.