Print

Cranberry Oatmeal Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 58 reviews

These cranberry oatmeal bars feature a buttery, crumbly oat crust and topping with a tart and sweet cranberry sauce filling. Perfectly suited for the holidays and Thanksgiving dessert tables, they are easy to prepare with simple ingredients, versatile for dietary needs, and can be enjoyed gluten-free or vegan with substitutions. The bars bake to golden perfection with a pleasantly crunchy texture complemented by a hint of cinnamon.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust and Crumble

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (use gluten-free flour for gluten-free version)
  • 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (certified gluten-free if needed)
  • 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Filling

  • 1 1/2 cups whole cranberry sauce (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions

  1. Make the Crust and Crumble: In a large bowl, combine the melted unsalted butter, all-purpose flour, old-fashioned rolled oats, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt. Stir until the mixture forms a crumbly texture, ensuring all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
  2. Press the Crust: Line a square metal baking pan with parchment paper. Press approximately all but 1 cup of the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of the pan to create an even crust layer.
  3. Add Cranberry Layer: Spread the whole cranberry sauce evenly over the pressed crust, ensuring full coverage for balanced flavor in every bite.
  4. Final Layer and Bake: Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the cranberry sauce to form the topping. Bake the bars in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 50 to 55 minutes until the top is golden and the cranberry sauce is bubbling. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Check your oven around 45 minutes as baking times may vary; the bars are done when the topping is golden and cranberry sauce bubbles.
  • Cool bars fully before cutting; refrigerating or freezing speeds cooling and setting.
  • For a vegan version, substitute vegan butter for the unsalted butter.
  • Try different fillings like blueberry or cherry preserves for variation.
  • Add white chocolate chips or chopped walnuts/pecans into the crumb mixture for extra flavor and texture.
  • Use certified gluten-free oats and flour to make a gluten-free version.
  • Swap brown sugar for coconut sugar and butter for coconut oil for a healthier alternative.
  • Homemade cranberry sauce adds fresh tartness and flavor.

Keywords: cranberry oatmeal bars, holiday dessert, cranberry bars, oatmeal dessert bars, Thanksgiving dessert, crumb topping bars, gluten-free cranberry bars, easy dessert recipes, baked oatmeal bars

Find it online: https://dinewithlily.com/cranberry-oatmeal-bars-recipe/