Cranberry Oatmeal Bars
User Reviews
4.6
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
47 mins
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Total Time
57 mins
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Servings
9 servings
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Calories
313 kcal
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Course
Baked Goods
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Cuisine
American
Cranberry Oatmeal Bars
Description
The Cranberry Oatmeal Bars feature a cooked cranberry filling made from fresh cranberries simmered with granulated sugar, orange juice, and a touch of orange zest, thickened with cornstarch. This filling sits atop a base of melted butter mixed with sugars, vanilla, flour, old-fashioned rolled oats, and a pinch of salt. The oat mixture is divided: one portion forms the bottom crust packed into a square pan, and the rest is reserved as a crumble topping. The bars bake at 350°F until set and lightly golden. The rolled oats give the crust and topping a pleasing chew and texture contrast to the smooth tart cranberry filling.
These bars hold well at room temperature up to a week or can be frozen for longer storage, making them convenient for advance preparation or gift giving. The recipe lends itself to variations and can be adapted from similar blueberry or raspberry bar recipes.
Ingredients
Cranberry Filling
- 2 cups cranberries fresh
- 2 teaspoons orange zest optional and to taste
- ¼ cup orange juice freshly squeezed
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons corn starch
Bars
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup old-fashioned rolled oats don’t use quick cook or instant, they’re finer and behave like flour and will make mixture too dry
- pinch salt optional and to taste
Instructions
Make the Cranberry Filling:
- To a medium stockpot with high sides, add the cranberries, optional orange zest, orange juice, granulated sugar, and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring often to incorporate the sugar.
- Once mixture has come to a boil, reduce the heat to medium low, add the corn starch, stir to combine, and allow mixture to simmer for about 15 minutes. While it simmers, make the bars.
Make the Bars:
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8-inch square pan with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray; set aside.
- To a large, microwave-safe bowl add the butter and heat on high power to melt, about 1 minute.
- Add the sugars, vanilla, and whisk to combine.
- Add the flour, oats, optional salt, and stir to combine. Mixture will have some larger, well-formed crumble pieces as well as some sandier, dryer bits.
- Set 1 heaping cup mixture aside to be sprinkled on later as crumble topping.
- Transfer remaining mixture to prepared pan, and using a spatula or your fingers, hard-pack the mixture to create an even, smooth, flat crust.
- Add the cranberry filling over the crust making sure there’s complete coverage but leave a 1/4-inch bare margin around the edges. Tip – The cranberry filling will burn if it’s touching the edges of the pan and will also stick like crazy.
- Evenly sprinkle with the reserved heaping 1 cup crumble topping mixture. Tip – Before sprinkling, I squeeze the mixture in my palm to encourage bigger crumble pieces to form.
- Bake for about 30 to 35 minutes, or until edges are set and center has just set and is lightly golden browned.
- Place pan on a wire rack and allow bars to cool for at least 2 hours before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Store baked bars airtight at room temperature for up to 7 days or freeze up to 6 months to maintain freshness.
- Use old-fashioned rolled oats rather than quick or instant oats to achieve the proper texture and moisture balance.
- Orange zest is optional but adds brightness that complements the tart cranberries.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 9servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 313 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 313kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 53g | 18% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 11g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Trans Fat | 0.4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 27mg | 9% |
| Sodium | 84mg | 4% |
| Potassium | 84mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 35g | 70% |
| Vitamin A | 344IU | 7% |
| Vitamin C | 7mg | 8% |
| Calcium | 17mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.6
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