Cranberry Crumble Pie Bars Recipe

Cranberry Crumble Pie Bars are the perfect fusion of tangy cranberries, buttery crumble, and sweet, comforting pie crust. Whether it's a festive holiday gathering or just a regular weekend treat, these bars are sure to be a hit with everyone. If you love the flavors of tart cranberries combined with a sugary crumble, you’re in for a treat. In this article, we’ll walk you through every detail on how to make these delightful bars at home.

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What are Cranberry Crumble Pie Bars?

Cranberry Crumble Pie Bars are a hybrid between pie and bars, making them easy to serve and enjoy. They feature a buttery crust, a tangy and sweet cranberry filling, and a crumbly, sugary topping. The three layers create the perfect combination of flavors and textures: buttery, tart, and crunchy all in one bite. The versatility of these bars allows you to serve them during the holiday season or as a year-round dessert.

Ingredients List for Cranberry Crumble Pie Bars

Before we dive into the recipe, it’s important to gather all the necessary ingredients. For this recipe, you’ll need both pantry staples and a few fresh ingredients. Here’s what you need:

For the Crust:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 cups all-purpose flour

For the Cranberry Filling:

• 3 cups fresh cranberries (frozen can work too)
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• Zest of 1 orange
• Juice of 1 orange (about ¼ cup)

For the Crumble Topping:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup rolled oats
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

Substitutions and Variations

Cranberry Crumble Pie Bars are quite versatile, and you can tweak the recipe to suit your preferences or dietary restrictions.

1. Substituting Butter: If you’re dairy-free, you can use a dairy-free butter alternative or even coconut oil. Coconut oil will add a slight coconut flavor to the bars, which can complement the tartness of the cranberries quite nicely.
2. Using Different Fruits: Cranberries are classic, but you can swap them for other fruits like raspberries, blueberries, or cherries. You could even mix cranberries with other berries for a different flavor profile.
3. Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and certified gluten-free oats if you need these bars to be gluten-free. The texture may be slightly different, but the flavor will still be delicious.
4. Sweetener Substitutes: For those wanting a lower-sugar option, you can substitute part or all of the sugar with a sugar alternative like coconut sugar or a sugar substitute suitable for baking.
5. Adding Nuts: If you love a bit of crunch, add chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumble topping for an extra layer of texture and flavor.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Now that you have your ingredients ready, let’s get started with the step-by-step instructions. This recipe is broken into three main parts: preparing the crust, making the cranberry filling, and creating the crumble topping.

How to Make Cranberry Crumble Pie Bars

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving enough paper hanging over the sides so that you can easily lift the bars out later.

Step 2: Make the Crust

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and salt, mixing until fully combined. Slowly add in the flour, and mix just until the dough starts to come together. It may seem crumbly at first, but as you press it together, it will form a dough.

Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan, ensuring that the crust is firm and flat. Bake the crust for about 15 minutes or until it’s lightly golden.

Step 3: Prepare the Cranberry Filling

While the crust is baking, combine the cranberries, sugar, cornstarch, orange zest, and orange juice in a medium saucepan. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring often, until the cranberries begin to burst and the mixture thickens (about 5-7 minutes). Once thickened, remove from heat and let it cool slightly.

Step 4: Make the Crumble Topping

In a separate bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Step 5: Assemble the Bars

Once the crust is out of the oven, pour the cranberry filling over the crust, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the crumble topping generously over the cranberries, ensuring the entire surface is covered.

Step 6: Bake

Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until the crumble topping is golden brown and the cranberry filling is bubbling.

Step 7: Cool and Slice

Allow the bars to cool in the pan for at least an hour before using the parchment paper to lift them out. Cut the bars into squares or rectangles and serve.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Not Cooling the Bars Fully: It can be tempting to dive right in, but cutting the bars too soon can result in a messy, runny dessert. Make sure to allow them to cool fully so the filling sets properly.
2. Overcooking the Cranberries: Cranberries cook quickly. Keep an eye on the cranberry filling as it thickens to avoid burning or over-reducing the mixture.
3. Skipping the Orange: The orange zest and juice elevate the tartness of the cranberries and add a lovely citrusy note. Don’t skip this step!
4. Undercooking the Crust: The crust should be a light golden color before you add the filling. If it’s underbaked, it may become soggy once the cranberry filling is added.

Serving and Presentation Tips

Cranberry Crumble Pie Bars are delightful when served slightly warm, but they are also excellent at room temperature or chilled. Here are a few ways to make your bars stand out when serving:

How to Serve Cranberry Crumble Pie Bars

• With Ice Cream: Serve your bars warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side for a classic pairing. The creamy ice cream contrasts beautifully with the tart cranberry filling.
• With Whipped Cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream can lighten the dessert and complement the tanginess of the cranberries.
• With a Dusting of Powdered Sugar: For an elegant touch, sprinkle the bars with a light dusting of powdered sugar before serving.

Presentation Ideas for Cranberry Crumble Pie Bars

• Plated with Garnishes: Serve the bars on a dessert plate with a garnish of fresh mint or extra cranberries. You can even drizzle some cranberry sauce or melted chocolate around the plate for a restaurant-style presentation.
• Holiday-Themed Decorations: If you’re serving these for the holidays, add some festive decor like sugared cranberries or a sprig of rosemary for a Christmas-inspired look.

Cranberry Crumble Pie Bars Recipe Tips

1. Use Cold Butter for the Crumble: Cold butter helps to create that perfectly crumbly texture in the topping. Be sure not to overmix the crumble ingredients.
2. Adjust the Sweetness: If you prefer your bars sweeter, you can increase the sugar in the cranberry filling. On the other hand, if you love the tartness of cranberries, you can reduce the sugar slightly.
3. Make Ahead: You can prepare these bars a day in advance. Store them covered in the refrigerator and bring them to room temperature before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use frozen cranberries?

Yes! Frozen cranberries work just as well as fresh. No need to thaw them; just toss them straight into the filling mixture.

How should I store Cranberry Crumble Pie Bars?

Store these bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Can I freeze Cranberry Crumble Pie Bars?

Absolutely! Once fully cooled, wrap them tightly and store in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Do I have to use oats in the crumble?

No, you can omit the oats if you prefer a more traditional pie topping. However, the oats add a nice texture and flavor to the crumble.

Conclusion

Cranberry Crumble Pie Bars are a delightful dessert that combines the tartness of cranberries with a buttery crust and a delicious crumble topping. They’re easy to make, versatile, and perfect for sharing with loved ones. Whether you're serving them during the holidays or as a casual treat, these bars are sure to impress. So, why wait? Try this recipe today, and watch as your guests come back for seconds!

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