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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- Incorporate softened butter into the dry ingredients, using your fingertips to massage and transform the mixture into a loose, sandy texture.
- Gently press the crumbly base evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, ensuring a uniform foundation.
- Distribute fresh or dried cranberries in a consistent layer across the entire surface of the oat mixture.
- Prepare the crumble topping by whisking together flour, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon in a separate small bowl.
- Add the remaining butter to the crumble ingredients, using a fork or your fingers to create a coarse, textured topping with small, irregular chunks.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon-spiced crumble evenly over the cranberry layer, covering the entire surface.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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