Make Cozy Oatmeal Cranberry Bars: A Snack-Time Dream Recipe

Oatmeal cranberry bars bring comfort and nostalgia to your kitchen with their irresistible blend of wholesome ingredients.

Sweet and tart flavors dance together in this delightful treat that promises pure satisfaction.

Hearty rolled oats create a robust foundation for these delectable bars, delivering rich texture and depth.

Cranberries add a vibrant burst of tangy goodness that cuts through the sweet base perfectly.

Rustic and homemade, these bars feel like a warm embrace from your favorite baker.

Each bite tells a story of simple ingredients changeed into something magical and memorable.

The smell alone will draw hungry family members and friends into the kitchen with anticipation.

Why These Bars Are a Cozy Snack

• Crunch and Comfort Combo: These oatmeal cranberry bars deliver a delightful mix of hearty oats and soft, tangy cranberries that create a satisfying texture and warmth in every bite.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: The simple one-bowl method means you can whip up these bars in under an hour, making them perfect for last-minute gatherings or unexpected sweet cravings.
• Versatile Seasonal Treat: Cranberries bring a festive touch that works brilliantly for holiday celebrations, cozy autumn afternoons, or as a delicious anytime snack that pairs wonderfully with coffee or tea.
• No-Fuss Baking Experience: Even novice bakers can master this recipe with easy mixing techniques and straightforward ingredients, ensuring a stress-free and delicious baking adventure that guarantees tasty results.

All the Ingredients for Oatmeal Cranberry Bars

• Flour: Key structural component for the bar's texture, choose all-purpose for consistent results.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep sweetness and moisture to the bars, light or dark works well.
• Oats: Provides hearty texture and nutty flavor, rolled oats are best for this recipe.
• Baking Powder: Essential leavening agent that helps bars rise and become light.
• Sea Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the bars.

• Cranberries: Adds tart flavor and bright color, fresh or dried options work great.

• Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps bind the ingredients together, unsalted butter recommended.

• Flour: Creates crumbly texture for the top layer, same as base flour.
• Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness to the crumble topping.
• Cinnamon: Brings warm, aromatic spice to complement the cranberries.

How to Bake Chewy Cranberry Goodness

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Dish

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Step 2: Create Oatmeal Bar Base

• Flour
• Brown sugar
• Oats
• Baking powder
• Sea salt

Add butter and mix with hands until crumbly. Press mixture evenly into prepared baking dish.

Step 3: Add Cranberry Layer

Spread cranberries evenly across the oatmeal base.

Step 4: Prepare Crumble Topping

• Flour
• Brown sugar
• Cinnamon

Add remaining butter and blend into a coarse crumble.

Step 5: Add Crumble Topping

Sprinkle crumble mixture over cranberry layer, covering entire surface.

Step 6: Bake Bars

Bake in preheated oven for 45-50 minutes until golden and set.

Step 7: Cool and Slice

Remove from oven and let cool for at least 30 minutes. Slice into bars and serve.

Tips for Balanced Texture and Tartness

• Crumble Consistency Matters: Gently mix the butter into the dry ingredients using your fingertips to create a perfect, slightly moist crumbly texture that ensures a light, crisp topping.
• Precise Cranberry Distribution: Spread cranberries evenly across the base to guarantee each bar gets a balanced burst of tart flavor in every bite.
• Cooling is Crucial: Resist cutting the bars immediately after baking; letting them cool completely helps them set and prevents crumbling when slicing.
• Pan Preparation Trick: Use parchment paper with overhanging edges for easy removal and clean cutting of the bars.
• Ingredient Temperature Tip: Use room temperature butter for smoother mixing and better incorporation into the dry ingredients, resulting in a more uniform texture.

Save and Reheat These Bars with Care

• Refrigeration: Store cooled bars in an airtight container lined with parchment paper. Carefully stack bars between layers of parchment to prevent sticking. Refrigerate for up to 5 days for optimal freshness and flavor.
• Freezing: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
• Reheating: Warm bars briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore their soft texture. Alternatively, reheat in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes to maintain their crisp edges and delicious taste.

What to Serve with Cranberry Bars

• Brew a Perfect Chai Tea Companion: The warm, spicy notes of chai tea complement the sweet-tart cranberry bars, creating a delightful balance of flavors that dance on your palate.
• Pair with Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream: A scoop of smooth vanilla ice cream alongside these bars provides a cool, rich contrast to the warm, crumbly texture of the oatmeal cranberry treat.
• Match with Almond Milk Latte: The nutty undertones of an almond milk latte beautifully enhance the oats and cranberry, offering a sophisticated and comforting breakfast or dessert experience.
• Serve with Maple Whipped Cream: A dollop of maple-infused whipped cream adds an extra layer of sweetness that elevates the rustic charm of these homemade bars.

Variations That Add Even More Flavor

• Berry Medley Mix: Replace cranberries with a combination of fresh blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries for a colorful and vibrant fruity alternative.
• Nutty Oatmeal Crunch: Incorporate chopped almonds, pecans, or walnuts into the crumble topping for added texture and rich, earthy flavors.
• Warm Spice Infusion: Enhance the crumble with ground nutmeg, ginger, and cardamom to create a warming, aromatic dessert perfect for cool evenings.
• Tropical Fruit Swap: Substitute cranberries with diced mango, pineapple, or passion fruit for a sweet and tangy tropical-inspired version of the classic bar.

Oatmeal Cranberry Bars Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Tangy cranberry oatmeal bars deliver pure comfort with wholesome rolled oats and sweet-tart berries baked into a golden, crumbly crust. Warm spices and rich buttery notes make these bars a delightful treat perfect for sharing with friends and family.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 3 cups cranberries, fresh or frozen
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ¾ cup butter, cold & cubed
• ¾ cup flour

Dry Ingredients:

• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon sea salt

Brown Sugar Crumble Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons flour
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons butter

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13 inch (23×33 centimeters) baking dish by lightly coating with cooking spray.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly blend the flour, brown sugar, rolled oats, baking powder, and sea salt to create the base layer of the oatmeal bars.
3. Incorporate softened butter into the dry ingredients, using your fingertips to massage and transform the mixture into a loose, sandy texture.
4. Gently press the crumbly base evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, ensuring a uniform foundation.
5. Distribute fresh or dried cranberries in a consistent layer across the entire surface of the oat mixture.
6. Prepare the crumble topping by whisking together flour, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon in a separate small bowl.
7. Add the remaining butter to the crumble ingredients, using a fork or your fingers to create a coarse, textured topping with small, irregular chunks.
8. Sprinkle the cinnamon-spiced crumble evenly over the cranberry layer, covering the entire surface.
9. Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and the center appears set.
10. Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely for at least 30 minutes, which helps them firm up and makes cutting easier.
11. Once cooled, slice into rectangular bars of desired size and serve.

Notes

• Versatile breakfast or dessert treat that combines hearty oats with tangy cranberries for a delightful flavor experience.
• Freezer-friendly bars can be stored up to 3 months, making them perfect for meal prep and quick snacks.
• Create a crumbly, buttery base with your hands for the most authentic texture and rustic homemade feel.
• Allow sufficient cooling time to ensure bars set properly and slice cleanly without falling apart.
• Use fresh or dried cranberries interchangeably, depending on seasonal availability and personal preference.
• Enhance nutrition by adding chopped nuts like almonds or walnuts for extra crunch and protein boost.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 285 kcal
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 135 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg