Cranberry crumble bars, oh how I love the holiday season! These cranberry crumble bars are more than just a treat; they’re a sweet memory of cozy afternoons, filled with the scent of cinnamon and the warmth of the oven. My grandma used to make something similar every Christmas, and now I’m sharing my take on this classic, made even better with a hint of browned butter. Get ready to experience a symphony of tart cranberries and buttery goodness in every bite!
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Why You Will Love This cranberry crumble bars Recipe
This cranberry dessert bars recipe is pure comfort food, elevated. Imagine the joy of biting into a soft, chewy blondie base, bursting with tart cranberries, and topped with a crumbly, buttery streusel. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and tangy.
What makes this recipe special? It’s the browned butter in the blondie base. Trust me, that nutty, caramelized flavor takes these holiday cranberry baking to a whole new level. Plus, they’re incredibly easy to make, requiring minimal effort and maximum flavor! These are even better than typical cranberry blondies!
I love making these for potlucks or holiday gatherings. They’re always a crowd pleaser. They’re quick to make, always delicious warm from the oven, and easy to transport! This is a holiday tradition you’ll want to repeat year after year.
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Ingredients Needed for This cranberry crumble bars Recipe
For the Blondie Base:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional, but adds a nice depth)
- 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
For the Crumble Topping:
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
How to Make This cranberry crumble bars Recipe
- 1. Brown the Butter: In a light colored saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Continue to cook, swirling occasionally, until the butter turns golden brown and has a nutty aroma (about 5-7 minutes). Be careful not to burn it! Remove from heat and let cool slightly. This is an important step, giving it that browned butter blondie bars character.
- 2. Prepare the Blondie Base: In a large bowl, whisk together the browned butter and brown sugar until well combined. Add the egg and vanilla extract (and almond extract, if using) and mix until smooth.
- 3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- 4. Fold in Cranberries: Gently fold in the cranberries.
- 5. Make the Crumble Topping: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- 6. Assemble and Bake: Press the blondie batter into a greased and parchment paper lined 8×8 inch baking pan. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the blondie batter.
- 7. Bake: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs.
- 8. Cool and Cut: Let the bars cool completely in the pan before lifting them out using the parchment paper and cutting them into squares.
Enjoy these cranberry crumble bars!
How to Serve This cranberry crumble bars Recipe
These cranberry crumble bars are delicious served warm or at room temperature.
- Warm with Ice Cream: Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra special treat.
- Dust with Powdered Sugar: Dust with powdered sugar for a pretty presentation.
- Pair with Coffee or Tea: Perfect with a hot cup of coffee or tea.
- Elevate Your Dessert Tray: Arrange on a dessert platter alongside other holiday favorites like Gingerbread Cookie Bars.
How to Store This cranberry crumble bars Recipe
- Refrigeration: Store leftover cranberry dessert bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze the bars for up to 2 months. Wrap well in plastic wrap and then in foil or place in a freezer safe container.
- Reheating: Reheat individual bars in the microwave for 15 20 seconds or bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes to warm through.
Tips to Make This cranberry crumble bars Recipe
- Use Cold Butter: Make sure to use cold butter for the crumble topping for the best texture.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the blondie batter can result in tough bars. Mix until just combined.
- Use Parchment Paper: Lining the pan with parchment paper makes it easy to lift the bars out after baking.
- Adjust Sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter blondie, add an extra tablespoon or two of brown sugar.
- Consider making The Best Homemade Loaded Potato Soup for dinner!
Helpful Notes for This cranberry crumble bars Recipe
- Cranberries: You can use either fresh or frozen cranberries in this recipe. If using frozen, there is no need to thaw them.
- Browned Butter: Don’t skip the browning butter step. It adds so much flavor! Watch it carefully though, as it can burn easily.
- Pan Size: An 8×8 inch pan will give you thick bars. For thinner bars, use a 9×13 inch pan and reduce baking time slightly.
Variation of This cranberry crumble bars Recipe
- Nuts: Add 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans to the crumble topping for some added crunch.
- Citrus Zest: Add 1 teaspoon of orange or lemon zest to the blondie batter for a bright, citrusy flavor.
- White Chocolate Chips: Fold 1/2 cup of white chocolate chips into the blondie batter for extra sweetness.
- For a savory brunch idea, try our Crack Breakfast Casserole!
What makes cranberry crumble bars a good holiday dessert?
Cranberry crumble bars offer a perfect balance of tartness from the cranberries and sweetness from the crumble, making them a festive and delightful treat for the holiday season. Their warm, comforting flavors like cinnamon and butter evoke feelings of nostalgia and coziness.
Can I use frozen cranberries for cranberry crumble bars?
Yes, you can definitely use frozen cranberries for cranberry crumble bars. Be sure to thaw and drain them well before using so they don’t add too much excess moisture to the bars.
How do I store cranberry crumble bars?
Store cranberry crumble bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. They can also be frozen for longer storage; just wrap them tightly before freezing.
What can I serve with cranberry crumble bars?
Cranberry crumble bars are delicious on their own, but they also pair well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce. A warm cup of coffee or tea also complements the flavors nicely.
Conclusion
These cranberry crumble bars are the perfect way to celebrate the holiday season. With the rich flavors of browned butter, the tartness of cranberries, and that irresistible crumble topping, you’ll have a treat that everyone will love. Whether you’re baking for a holiday gathering or simply craving a cozy dessert, this recipe is sure to become a favorite. I can’t wait for you to try making these incredible cranberry crumble bars! Let me know in the comments how yours turned out!
Cranberry Crumble Bars: The BEST Holiday Blondies Recipe EVER
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 9 servings 1x
Description
These cranberry crumble bars are a delightful dessert featuring a buttery blondie base, tart cranberries, and a crumbly streusel topping. Perfect for holiday baking!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- **Crumble Topping:**
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
Instructions
- 1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- 2. Brown the Butter: In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Cook, swirling, until golden brown and nutty (5-7 mins). Let cool slightly.
- 3. Blondie Base: Whisk browned butter and brown sugar until combined. Add egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using).
- 4. Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to wet ingredients; mix until just combined.
- 5. Fold in Cranberries: Gently fold in cranberries.
- 6. Crumble Topping: Combine flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in cold butter until coarse crumbs form.
- 7. Assemble: Press blondie batter into the pan. Sprinkle crumble topping evenly.
- 8. Bake: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
- 9. Cool: Cool completely before lifting out and cutting into squares.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
