Delicious Christmas Cranberry Bars with an Oatmeal Crumble

Getting those perfect Delicious Christmas Cranberry Bars is all about a few little touches that make a big difference.

• Don’t Overmix the Crumble: For a tender, flaky crust and topping, mix the butter and dry ingredients just until combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough crust, and we want pure crumble perfection!
• My Secret Trick: I always chill my crust mixture for about 15-20 minutes before pressing it into the pan. This helps prevent it from shrinking while baking and ensures a beautifully crisp base.
• Cranberry Freshness: Use fresh cranberries for the brightest, most vibrant flavor. If you’re using frozen, don’t thaw them first; simply add them straight to the saucepan and adjust cooking time slightly.
• Glaze Consistency: When making the orange glaze, add the orange juice a tiny bit at a time until you reach your desired drizzling consistency. You want it thick enough to coat, but thin enough to flow gracefully over your cooled bars.

Fun Variations for Delicious Christmas Cranberry Bars

I adore how versatile these Delicious Christmas Cranberry Bars can be! Here are a few ways to add your own personal flair:

Nutty Nods

For a delightful crunch, try adding half a cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to your oatmeal crumble mixture. My friend, Sarah, always asks me to do this; she says it adds an extra layer of cozy texture.

Spice It Up!

A pinch of ground ginger or a dash of allspice alongside the cinnamon in the cranberry filling can introduce a lovely warmth, making these bars even more festive and aromatic. It’s a wonderful way to deepen the holiday flavor.

White Chocolate Swirl

Once the bars are cooled, after applying the orange glaze, melt a little white chocolate and drizzle it over the top. It adds a beautiful visual appeal and a lovely contrasting sweetness that my niece absolutely adores!

Citrus Swap

While orange is classic, you could experiment with lemon zest and juice in both the filling and the glaze for a brighter, tangier cranberry bar. It’s a refreshing twist if you’re looking for something a little different!

Delicious Christmas Cranberry Bars

Brighten your holiday season with these festive cranberry bars featuring a buttery shortbread crust, a sweet-tart cranberry-orange filling, and a delightful crumb topping, finished with a zesty orange glaze.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Servings: 16 pieces

Course: Dessert, Holiday, Snack

Cuisine: American

Calories: 280

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Shortbread Crust & Crumb Topping

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter cold, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

For the Cranberry Filling

• 12 oz fresh cranberries about 3 cups, rinsed
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar adjust to taste based on cranberry tartness
• 1/4 cup orange juice freshly squeezed for best flavor
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon water for cornstarch slurry
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional, for warming spice)

For the Orange Glaze (Optional)

• 1 cup powdered sugar sifted
• 2-3 tablespoons orange juice freshly squeezed

Equipment

• 9×13 inch baking pan
• Parchment Paper
• Large mixing bowls
• Saucepan
• Whisk
• Rubber Spatula
• Wire Rack
• Pastry blender (optional)

Method

 

Prepare the Crust & Crumb Topping

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the long sides for easy removal. Lightly grease the parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Whisk briefly to combine.
3. Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry blender, your fingertips, or a food processor to cut the butter into the flour mixture until coarse, pea-sized crumbs form. Be careful not to overmix, as overmixing can lead to a tough crust.
4. Press about 2/3 of the crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust. Gently compact it with your hands or the bottom of a flat glass. Reserve the remaining 1/3 of the mixture for the topping.
5. Bake the crust for 15 minutes, or until lightly golden brown around the edges. Remove from oven and let cool slightly on a wire rack while you prepare the filling.

Prepare the Cranberry Filling

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the fresh cranberries, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup orange juice, 1 teaspoon orange zest, and 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (if using).
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries begin to burst and soften, about 5-7 minutes. Once they start bursting, mash some of them gently with the back of a spoon to release more juice.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water to create a smooth slurry. Stir the cornstarch slurry into the simmering cranberry mixture in the saucepan.
4. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, for another 1-2 minutes, until the filling thickens considerably. It should coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat.

Assemble and Bake the Bars

1. Pour the warm cranberry filling evenly over the pre-baked crust in the pan. Spread it gently with a rubber spatula to the edges.
2. Evenly sprinkle the reserved 1/3 of the shortbread crumb mixture over the cranberry filling.
3. Return the pan to the preheated oven and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the crumb topping is golden brown and the filling is visibly bubbly around the edges.
4. Remove the bars from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before attempting to cut them. This is crucial for the bars to set properly and prevent crumbling. This may take 2-3 hours.

Prepare the Orange Glaze (Optional)

1. Once the bars are completely cooled, prepare the glaze (if desired). In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup sifted powdered sugar and 2-3 tablespoons orange juice until smooth and pourable. The consistency should be thick enough to drizzle but not too thin.
2. Drizzle the glaze evenly over the cooled bars. Let the glaze set for about 15-20 minutes before carefully lifting the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang, then slicing and serving.

Notes

These Delicious Christmas Cranberry Bars are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. For an extra festive touch, you can add a pinch of ground ginger or cardamom to the cranberry filling. If fresh cranberries are unavailable, frozen cranberries can be used directly without thawing; just increase the initial simmering time slightly until they burst.

What to Serve With Delicious Christmas Cranberry Bars

These Delicious Christmas Cranberry Bars are wonderful on their own, but they truly shine when paired with a few thoughtful accompaniments.

I love serving them with a generous scoop of good quality vanilla bean ice cream. The cool, creamy ice cream perfectly balances the tart cranberries and warm spices. Another favorite pairing, especially during chilly evenings, is a steaming mug of spiced apple cider or a classic cup of English breakfast tea. My mom always pairs them with hot cocoa in winter. For a lighter touch, a dollop of freshly whipped cream can elevate these bars beautifully. And for a quick serving idea, a simple dusting of powdered sugar makes them look extra special!

How to Store Delicious Christmas Cranberry Bars

Keeping your delightful Delicious Christmas Cranberry Bars fresh ensures every bite is as wonderful as the first. It’s a little trick I learned from Grandma Rose: always store them properly!

Fridge Storage

Once completely cooled, place your bars in an airtight container. They will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. I like storing them in a single layer if possible, with parchment paper between layers if stacking, to prevent sticking.

Freezer Friendly

For longer storage, these bars freeze beautifully! Once completely cool, cut them into individual servings. Wrap each bar tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in an airtight freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep well for up to 2-3 months.

Reheating & Serving

To enjoy frozen bars, simply let them thaw at room temperature for an hour or two, or gently warm them in a low oven (around 250°F or 120°C) for about 10-15 minutes. My personal tip? A light dusting of fresh powdered sugar right before serving always brings these Delicious Christmas Cranberry Bars back to life with a touch of elegance.

Nutritional Benefits

These Delicious Christmas Cranberry Bars offer more than just holiday cheer! Thanks to the fresh cranberries, you’re getting a wonderful dose of antioxidants and vitamin C, while the whole grains in the oatmeal provide beneficial fiber. It’s a treat that’s both satisfying and nourishing, embodying my philosophy of combining indulgence with simple, wholesome ingredients.

FAQs

Faq 1

Can I use frozen cranberries for Delicious Christmas Cranberry Bars?
Yes, you can! If using frozen cranberries, there’s no need to thaw them beforehand. Simply add them directly to your saucepan when making the filling, and they will cook down beautifully in your Delicious Christmas Cranberry Bars.

Faq 2

How can I make the oatmeal crumble extra crispy?
For an extra crispy oatmeal crumble in your Delicious Christmas Cranberry Bars, ensure your butter is very cold and cut into small pieces. You can also lightly toast the oats before mixing them into the crumble for a deeper flavor.

Faq 3

Can I make these bars ahead of time for a party?
Absolutely! These Delicious Christmas Cranberry Bars are perfect for making ahead. You can bake them a day or two in advance and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They taste even better after the flavors meld.

Faq 4

What if I don’t have fresh oranges for the zest and juice?
If fresh oranges aren’t available for your Delicious Christmas Cranberry Bars, you can use bottled orange juice, though the zest truly adds depth. For the glaze, a touch of lemon juice can offer a similar bright tang.

Conclusion

And there you have it, a recipe for Delicious Christmas Cranberry Bars that I hope brings as much warmth and joy to your kitchen as it does to mine. Baking isn’t just about ingredients; it’s about the love we pour into it, the memories we create, and the sheer delight of sharing something sweet. So go on, gather your loved ones, bake a batch of these wonderful bars, and make some delicious new memories this holiday season. Happy baking!