Name: Cranberry Crumble Bars: The Best Holiday Treat
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 1/2 cups rolled oats; 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1 tsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp salt; 1 cup unsalted butter, melted; 1 tsp vanilla extract; ; 2 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1 tbsp cornstarch; 1/4 cup orange juice; 1 tsp orange zest; 1/2 tsp cinnamon

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Are you tired of bringing the same old desserts to holiday gatherings? Looking for something that combines the perfect balance of tart and sweet with a buttery, crumbly texture that everyone will rave about? These Cranberry Crumble Bars are the answer to your holiday dessert dilemmas. As someone who has been perfecting holiday baking for years, I’ve found that these bars consistently earn the most compliments and recipe requests at every gathering.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through creating these festive cranberry treats from selecting the perfect berries to achieving that ideal crumble topping. You’ll discover why these bars work so well for holiday entertaining, the key ingredients for the best flavor, and step-by-step instructions even novice bakers can follow.

Why These Cranberry Crumble Bars Work

These cranberry crumble bars have become my signature holiday treat for good reason:

Uses fresh or frozen cranberries that are abundant during the holiday season
Prep time under 20 minutes with minimal hands-on work
Perfect make-ahead dessert that actually tastes better the next day
Portable for holiday potlucks and gift-giving
Versatile as a dessert, brunch item, or coffee accompaniment

Choosing the Right Cranberries for Cranberry Crumble Bars

Best Cranberries for This Recipe

Fresh cranberries provide the brightest flavor and color, available in stores from October through December. Look for firm, plump berries with a deep red color. Avoid bags with shriveled or soft berries.

Frozen cranberries work excellently as well—no need to thaw before using, which makes this recipe possible year-round.

Buying Tips

When purchasing fresh cranberries, give the bag a gentle shake—the berries should move freely inside. If they’re clumped together, some may be damaged or spoiled.

Substitutions

If cranberries are unavailable, you can substitute other tart berries like:

Raspberries (reduce sugar slightly)
Blackberries mixed with a tablespoon of lemon juice
Cherries with a tablespoon of lemon juice for tartness

Ingredients & Prep for Cranberry Crumble Bars

Cranberry Crumble Bars: The Best Holiday Treat

Cranberry Filling Essentials

4 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons orange zest
3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons cornstarch (for thickening)

Crumble Mixture Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pantry Staples

You’ll need measuring cups, a 9×13 baking pan, parchment paper, mixing bowls, and a pastry cutter or food processor for the crumble.

Looking for the perfect beverage to serve with these delicious bars? Check out my Thanksgiving Margarita Recipe for a festive drink pairing that will complement the tart-sweet flavors of the cranberries!

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions for Cranberry Crumble Bars

Pre-Cooking Prep for Cranberry Bars

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the sides for easy removal.
Rinse cranberries and remove any stems or soft berries.
Combine cranberries with sugar, orange zest, orange juice, vanilla, and cornstarch in a bowl. Set aside.

Cooking Method for Cranberry Bars

For the crumble: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugars, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
Add cold cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or food processor to cut it into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Whisk the egg and vanilla in a small bowl, then stir into the crumb mixture until just combined.
Press two-thirds of the crumb mixture firmly into the prepared pan to create the bottom crust.
Spread the cranberry filling evenly over the crust.
Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the cranberry layer.
Bake for 40-45 minutes until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling at the edges.

Doneness Check for Cranberry Bars

The bars are done when:

Edges are slightly pulled away from the pan
Top crumble is golden brown
Center feels set when lightly touched
Cranberry filling is bubbling around the edges

Cooling Cranberry Bars

Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for at least 2 hours before cutting. For the cleanest cuts, refrigerate for 1-2 hours after cooling at room temperature.

Pro Tips for Perfect Cranberry Crumble Bars

Avoiding Common Cranberry Bar Mistakes

Don’t overmix the crumble dough—it should remain crumbly
Press the bottom crust firmly to prevent a soggy bottom
Allow bars to cool completely before cutting to prevent crumbling
Use parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup

Tool Recommendations

Pastry cutter or food processor for the perfect crumb texture
Offset spatula for evenly spreading cranberry filling
Sharp chef’s knife for clean cuts (wipe between cuts)
Glass baking dish for even baking and pretty presentation

Storage & Reheating

These bars actually improve with a day of rest as flavors meld together. For more delicious holiday recipes and baking inspiration, check out my Pinterest page where I share seasonal favorites and creative twists on classic treats.

Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days
Refrigerator: Keep for up to 1 week
Freezer: Wrap individual bars in plastic, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months
Reheat frozen bars in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes

Flavor Variations for Cranberry Crumble Bars

Citrus Twist

Replace orange with lemon or lime zest and juice for a different citrus profile.

Spiced Holiday Version

Add ½ teaspoon each of nutmeg, ginger, and allspice to the crumble mixture for a warm, spiced holiday flavor.

Nutty Additions

Incorporate ½ cup of toasted pecans, walnuts, or sliced almonds into the topping for extra crunch and flavor.

Variation	Additional Ingredients	Baking Adjustments
White Chocolate	Add ½ cup white chocolate chips to topping	None needed
Coconut	Add ½ cup shredded coconut to crumble	Reduce baking time by 2-3 minutes
Maple	Replace ¼ cup granulated sugar with maple syrup	Add 2 Tbsp extra flour to crumble
Gluten-Free	Use 1:1 gluten-free flour blend	Add 1 tsp xanthan gum if blend doesn’t include it

Serving Suggestions for Cranberry Crumble Bars

These versatile cranberry crumble bars can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion:

Dust with powdered sugar for a snow-like effect
Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert
Pair with coffee or tea for brunch
Create a dessert board with these bars, chocolate truffles, and shortbread
Stack on a cake stand with sprigs of fresh rosemary for festive presentation

Hot beverages that pair perfectly:

Spiced apple cider
Chai tea
Coffee with cinnamon
Hot chocolate with whipped cream

FAQs About Cranberry Crumble Bars

Can I make cranberry crumble bars ahead of time?
Yes! These bars actually taste better the next day as the flavors meld together. Make up to 2 days in advance and store in an airtight container.

How do I know when the cranberry filling is cooked properly?
The filling should be bubbling around the edges and thickened. Cranberries will have burst and created a jammy consistency.

Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh?
While fresh or frozen cranberries are preferred, you can use dried cranberries in a pinch. Rehydrate 2 cups of dried cranberries in hot water for 15 minutes, drain well, then proceed with the recipe.

My crumble topping seems too dry. What should I do?
Add 1-2 tablespoons of melted butter and gently mix until the crumble holds together when squeezed.

How do I cut clean squares without crumbling?
Refrigerate the fully cooled bars for 1-2 hours, then use a sharp knife dipped in hot water (and wiped dry) between cuts.

The Perfect Holiday Treat

These Cranberry Crumble Bars have become a holiday tradition in my home, and I’m confident they’ll become one in yours too. The bright tang of cranberries balanced with the sweet, buttery crumble creates a dessert that embodies the festive spirit of the season.

Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering, contributing to a potluck, or simply treating your family to something special, these bars deliver the perfect combination of ease and impressiveness. The vibrant red filling peeking through the golden crumble makes them as beautiful as they are delicious.

So fire up your oven and get baking! Join thousands of home bakers who have made these cranberry crumble bars their signature holiday dessert. Your friends and family will thank you—and likely ask for the recipe!

Cranberry Crumble Bars: The Best Holiday Treat