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Festive Delight: Cranberry Crumble Bars

These Cranberry Crumble Bars are a festive and delicious treat! They feature a buttery shortbread crust, a vibrant cranberry filling, and a crumbly topping. Learn how to make this easy and satisfying dessert

Ingredients

Scale

Shortbread Crust:

  • 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup (100 g) light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 1/4 cups (405 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Cranberry Filling:

  • 2 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 2/3 cup (133 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1 tablespoon orange juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Vanilla Glaze:

  • 3/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted
  • 4 tablespoons whole milk or heavy cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Make the Shortbread Crust: Cream together the butter and sugars in a stand mixer. Add the egg and vanilla, mixing well. Whisk together the dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Set aside 2 cups of dough for the topping. Press the remaining dough into the prepared pan. Bake at 350°F (177°C) for 15 minutes.
  2. Make the Cranberry Filling: Mix together the cranberries, sugar, cornstarch, orange zest and juice, and vanilla. Pour over the pre-baked crust.
  3. Make the Crumble Topping: Crumble the reserved dough over the cranberry filling.
  4. Bake: Bake for about 45 minutes, covering with foil for the last 10-15 minutes.
  5. Cool and Glaze: Cool completely, then drizzle with vanilla glaze.