There’s something comforting about the combination of hearty oats and tart cranberries baked into a delightfully crumbly bar. These Oatmeal Cranberry Bars evoke cozy holiday memories with their bright red fresh cranberries nestled between layers of buttery oats. Their rustic texture and sweet-tart flavor make them a lovely treat any time of year, whether for breakfast, brunch, or a wholesome snack.
Beyond their festive appeal, these bars are simple to prepare and naturally gluten free if you swap ingredients thoughtfully. The crumb topping adds an irresistible crunch while the oats keep them hearty and satisfying. Perfect for sharing with family or bringing to holiday gatherings, they’re sure to become a new favorite.
- Made with wholesome rolled oats and fresh cranberries for a naturally nutritious treat.
- Versatile for breakfast, dessert, or on-the-go snacks with balanced sweet-tart flavor.
- Easy to make gluten free by substituting gluten free flour and oats.
- Delicious crumb topping adds texture and buttery richness.
- Great for holiday season yet simple enough year-round.
Ingredients
- Flour: All-purpose flour provides structure and tenderness in the oat bar base; can be substituted with gluten free flour.
- Brown sugar: Adds natural sweetness and moisture while enhancing the oat flavor with its molasses notes.
- Rolled oats: Bring hearty texture and fiber, forming the wholesome foundation of these bars.
- Baking powder: A leavening agent that helps give a light, tender crumb texture.
- Sea salt: Enhances all flavors, balancing the sweetness and tartness perfectly.
- Butter: Cold, cubed butter creates a crumbly, rich base and topper when cut into the dry ingredients.
- Fresh or frozen cranberries: Provide vibrant color, juicy tartness, and seasonal flavor.
- Flour (for crumble): Used in the topping for that classic buttery crumb texture.
- Brown sugar (for crumble): Sweetens the crumb topping while adding depth and caramel notes.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds warm spice that complements oats and cranberries beautifully.
- Butter (for crumble): Binds the crumble ingredients into clusters that bake golden and crispy.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare baking pan
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Set your oven to 350°F to start warming while you prepare the ingredients. Spray or grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking, ensuring the bars can be easily removed after baking.
- Combine dry ingredients for oatmeal base
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In a large bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, rolled oats, baking powder, and sea salt. This step ensures the dry components are evenly distributed for consistent texture throughout the bars.
- Incorporate cold butter to form crumbly mixture
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Add cold, cubed butter to the dry mix and use your hands to blend until the mixture becomes crumbly, with pea-sized bits of butter still visible. This technique creates a tender, flaky texture when baked.
- Press the oat mixture into baking dish
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Firmly press the crumbly oat batter evenly into the prepared pan to form a solid base layer. This step is important to hold the filling layers and maintain bars’ shape after baking.
- Spread cranberries evenly
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Distribute fresh or frozen cranberries over the oat base. The tart cranberries contrast beautifully with the sweet base, adding juicy bursts of flavor in every bite.
- Prepare the brown sugar crumble topping
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In a small bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Add the remaining butter and blend until coarse crumbs form. This topping will bake into a crunchy and sweet contrast to the tart cranberries.
- Sprinkle crumble topping over cranberries
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Generously sprinkle the crumb mixture evenly over the cranberries to cover the entire surface. The buttery crumble will bake up crisp and golden, adding delightful texture.
- Bake until golden and cooked through
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Bake for 45 to 50 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. The baking time ensures the bars set properly and all flavors meld beautifully.
- Cool thoroughly before slicing
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Allow bars to cool at least 30 minutes before cutting. Cooling firm up the bars, making slicing easier and preserving their shape.
- For best texture, ensure butter is cold before incorporating; warm butter will produce a denser crust.
- You can substitute fresh cranberries with frozen ones but do not thaw before use to avoid excess moisture.
- Press the base layer firmly for even baking and structure.
Storage Tips
Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 7 days to maintain freshness and texture. They also freeze well—wrap tightly and thaw before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy these bars warm or at room temperature alongside a hot cup of coffee or tea. They also pair wonderfully with a dollop of Greek yogurt or a drizzle of honey for an extra special treat.
- Use gluten free flour and certified gluten free oats to easily make these bars gluten free without sacrificing flavor.
- For extra texture, sprinkle chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans on top before baking.
- Adjust sugar levels in the crumble topping to balance tartness of cranberries to your preference.
FAQs
- Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh or frozen?
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Dried cranberries are much sweeter and less juicy, so they won’t provide the same tart burst but can be used if fresh is unavailable.
- How do I make this recipe gluten free?
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Substitute the all-purpose flour with gluten free flour and use certified gluten free rolled oats to keep the bars gluten free.
- Can I prepare these bars in advance?
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Yes, prepare and bake the bars the day before; they store well and flavors develop nicely overnight.
- What’s the best way to cut the bars?
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Use a sharp knife and cut after the bars have completely cooled to prevent them from falling apart.
- Can I substitute butter with a dairy-free alternative?
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Yes, use a vegan butter substitute suitable for baking to make these dairy free.
- Is it possible to reduce sugar in this recipe?
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You may decrease brown sugar slightly but note it will affect sweetness and texture of crumb topping.
- Can I add spices aside from cinnamon?
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Absolutely! Nutmeg or allspice complement cranberries well and can be added to the crumble mix.
Oatmeal Cranberry Bars
Equipment
- 1 9x13-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 cups rolled oats gluten-free if needed
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 3/4 cup cold butter cubed
- 3 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, oats, baking powder, and sea salt.
- Add cold cubed butter and mix with hands until crumbly.
- Press the mixture evenly into a prepared 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Distribute cranberries evenly over the oat base.
- In a small bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon for the crumble topping.
- Add remaining butter and mix until coarse crumbs form.
- Sprinkle crumble over cranberries.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes until golden and set.
- Cool at least 30 minutes before slicing into bars.
Notes
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days or refrigerate for 5-7 days.
- For gluten-free, substitute gluten-free flour and oats.
