Description
Cranberry crumble pie bars highlight seasonal flavors with a buttery crust and tangy fruit filling. Festive dessert bars combine sweet and tart notes, offering a delightful slice of holiday comfort you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (cold, cubed)
Binding and Flavoring Ingredients:
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Zest of 1 orange
Leavening and Seasoning:
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly coat an 8×8-inch baking pan with grease to prevent sticking.
- Create a crumbly base mixture by combining flour, sugar, baking powder, and butter until the texture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
- Incorporate the egg into the crumb mixture, ensuring even distribution and slightly moistened consistency.
- Gently press half of the prepared dough into the bottom of the greased pan, creating an even, compact layer.
- In a separate mixing bowl, toss cranberries with remaining sugar, cornstarch, and fragrant orange zest until well coated.
- Carefully spread the cranberry mixture across the initial dough layer, ensuring uniform coverage.
- Delicately crumble the remaining dough over the cranberry filling, creating a rustic, textured topping.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, watching for a golden-brown surface and set filling.
- Remove from oven and allow the bars to cool completely before cutting into squares, which helps them maintain structural integrity.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is cold when mixing with flour to create a flaky, crumbly crust that holds together perfectly.
- Adjust sweetness by reducing sugar if using tart cranberries or add a splash of vanilla extract for deeper flavor complexity.
- Prevent soggy bottom by patting the first layer firmly and evenly into the pan, ensuring a crisp base for the fruity filling.
- Substitute fresh cranberries with frozen ones directly from the freezer to maintain texture and prevent excess moisture in the bars.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 222 kcal
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 56 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 22 mg