Cranberry Oatmeal Bars (Printable Version)
Tart cranberries and hearty oats baked into golden, crumbly bars ideal as a sweet snack or dessert.
# What You'll Need:
→ Crust and Crumble
01 -
1 cup unsalted butter, melted
02 -
2 cups all-purpose flour (gluten-free optional)
03 -
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (certified gluten-free optional)
04 -
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
05 -
1/2 teaspoon salt
06 -
1 cup packed light brown sugar
→ Filling
07 -
1 can whole cranberry sauce
→ To Serve
08 -
Ice cream or whipped cream (optional)
# Step-by-Step Guide:
01 -
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8 inch metal pan with parchment paper.
02 -
In a large bowl, combine melted butter, flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt until a dry, sandy crumble forms. Set aside 1 heaping cup for the topping.
03 -
Press remaining crumb mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan using a spatula or fingers to create the crust layer.
04 -
Spread cranberry sauce evenly over the crust. Sprinkle reserved crumb topping over the cranberry layer, allowing some cranberries to remain visible.
05 -
Bake for 50 to 55 minutes until the crumble is golden and cranberry sauce bubbles at edges. If browning too quickly, tent with foil after 40 minutes.
06 -
Allow bars to cool in pan for 1 hour. Use parchment overhang to lift bars out. Cool completely before slicing into squares. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream if desired.
# Additional Notes:
01 -
To speed cooling, place bars in the freezer after removing from oven.