With fresh cranberries being abundant in grocery stores at this time of year, I had to pick up a few bags to use in my delectable fall baking. When I saw Katy’s recipe for Cranberry Crumb Bars on goodLife {eats}, I knew this would be my very first fresh cranberry endeavor of the season. The bars looked absolutely perfect and since I am a big fan of Katy’s recipes, I knew they would taste perfect too!
I had all the ingredients in my pantry and fridge and the use of my food processor made this recipe come together in a snap. Once they came out of the oven, the glorious aroma filled our kitchen and we were tempted to cut into them immediately! However, we decided to let them cool to room temperature and chill in the fridge overnight. The following morning I cut them into bars and Brian took them to work to share with his co-workers. I must admit, I only kept three for pictures because I knew if I left more at the house, I would have consumed them for all three meals! These were a huge hit and will definitely be a repeat recipe in my kitchen in the very near future…these make an awesome breakfast, snack or dessert and seem to be a real crowd pleaser. I cannot wait to experiment with this recipe by subbing in other fruit for the cranberries. I hope you make these and enjoy them as much as we did. Thanks for stopping by…have a great weekend!
Cranberry Crumb Bars
from: goodLife {eats}, SGCC, and Smitten Kitchen
Printable Recipe
Ingredients
1 cup white sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup almond meal*
1 cup cold butter (2 sticks)
1 egg
1/4 tsp cinnamon (I left this out by accident)
juice of 1/2 of an orange
4 cups fresh cranberries**
2/3 cup white sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 Tbs cornstarch
Directions
1.Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter a 9×13 inch pan.(I lined my pan with non-stick foil and sprayed with non-stick spray)
2. In a medium bowl, mix together 1 cup sugar, flour, almond meal, salt and baking powder. Use a fork or pastry cutter to blend in the butter and egg. The dough will be crumbly. Alternatively, you can pulse the dry ingredients in a food processor with the butter until pebbly, and then mix in the egg until it all comes together. Pat half of the dough into the buttered pan.
3. In another bowl, stir together the sugar, cornstarch, vanilla, and orange juice. Mix in the cranberries. Sprinkle the cranberry mixture evenly over the dough in the pan.
4. Add 1/4 tsp cinnamon to the remaining dough, then crumble dough over the berries. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until top is a light golden brown. Cool completely and chill in the refrigerator before cutting into squares. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Here are a few helpful hints from Katy’s post…
*If you don’t have almond meal, just toss some almonds in a food processor until finely ground to make almond meal.
**Stock up while cranberries are abundant in stores. Just toss them in the freezer and use as you need. They’ll be good for about a year. If you’re using frozen fresh cranberries for this recipe there is no need to thaw them first.
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{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
Look wonderful. I will definitely try making these this weekend. All of your food is beautiful. I love your site and have made many wonderful things from your inspiration. Keep up the fabulous job.
Yeah! So glad you liked them!
Honestly, I don't think I've ever tried fresh cranberries–crazy! I must, this would be my perfect excuse!
what a delicious fall treat!
The red of the cranberries just pop! They're very photogenic.
I have to say I admire your self-control no way would I have waited 'til morning.
~ingrid
This is a serious baked dish! Very nice, and I love the use of fresh cranberries. What a great job!
Just made this recipe actually….about a week ago and it was beyond good! Yummers! Love your photos!
these bars looks so lovely
thanks for the recipe.
These really look delicious! This is the kind of thing I'd eat way too much of! I need to buy more cranberries and put them in the freezer so I can make this when I have someone to share with.
Fresh cranberries are such a treat in baked goods – love the tart/sweet combo. I can see why these beautiful bars are your new faves.
This really does look delicious. Definitely a holiday treat!
im making thanksgiving dinner for the first time for my family and am thinking of going less traditional with the desserts and doing everything in hand held/bar form — pumpkin pie bars, etc. this looks wonderful!! but how yould you recommend i alter it to make it cran-apple with emphasis on the apple — do you think it would accommodate a higher filling to crust ratio?
I love that picture of all of the cranberries. So pretty. And the bars look so yummy.
Made these yesterday. Very easy. Did the crust in the food processor after grinding the almonds. I toasted the almonds first in the oven. Mmmm…what a smell. The bars are really good. I will make them again.
one word- gorgeous.
I have four bags of cranberries in my refrigerator. I will most definitely be making a batch of these…delicious!
I made the blueberry crumb bars but thought they were a bit heavy on the butter. With the ground almonds and cranberries, this looks like a fabulous adaptation. Can't wait to try it out.
This looks so good! I’m allergic to almonds though, so I might try pumpkin seeds roasted and ground to give that nutty flavor. Sesame seeds might work too.
This looks delicious! I would love if you shared this in my holiday dessert recipes Blog Hop. Enter it for a chance at a Wilton Pre-Baked Gingerbread Cookies Decorating Kit! http://www.recipelionblog.com/december-blog-hop-holiday-dessert-recipes-giveaway
Sarah @ RecipeLion
Hi!
I am making your cranberry bars right now. The recipe sounds amazing!
Claire
I made these last weekend for our family Christmas get together and they were a HUGE hit!! My brother told me I cannot come back to his house unless I bring these Cranberry Bars! Everyone wants the recipe! They are so easy to make and so delicious!! I think they are very festive with the red berries!! Thank you for the Great recipe!!!