Name: Cranberry Crumble Bars Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, room temperature; 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar; 1/2 cup (100 g) light brown sugar, packed; 1 large egg, room temperature; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 3 1/4 cups (405 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled; 3/4 teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt; 2 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries; 2/3 cup (133 g) granulated sugar; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 1 tablespoon orange zest; 1 tablespoon orange juice; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted; 4 tablespoons whole milk or heavy cream; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Jump to Recipe· 4.4 from 11 reviews

If you’ve been on the hunt for a dessert that’s both tangy and sweet, with that perfect crumbly texture you just can’t resist, you’ve got to try my Cranberry Crumble Bars Recipe. These bars are a wonderful balance of buttery shortbread, bright cranberry filling, and a smooth vanilla glaze that adds just the right touch of sweetness. Whether you’re baking for the holidays, a cozy weekend treat, or just because, these bars always disappear fast—trust me, you’ll want to keep an eye on them as they come out of the oven!

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Texture Harmony: The shortbread crust is buttery and crisp, while the cranberry filling is juicy and slightly tart, creating a delightful contrast in every bite.
Bright, Festive Flavors: The orange zest and juice add a fresh citrus note that complements the tart cranberries beautifully.
Simple but Layered: Each component is easy to make, but combined they feel special and impressive without any extra fuss.
Versatile & Freezable: These bars keep well and freeze great, making them perfect for preparing ahead for gatherings or last-minute treats.

Cranberry Crumble Bars, cranberry bars recipe, holiday dessert bars, easy cranberry dessert, fruit crumble bars - The image shows a close-up view of a dessert made of three main layers: the base layer is bright red berry filling with whole and broken pieces of berries, giving it a juicy and shiny texture; scattered on top are thick, rough chunks of golden-brown baked dough creating a lattice effect with uneven edges and crumbly surface; white icing is drizzled across the top in thin, smooth lines that contrast with the rough dough and glossy berries. The whole scene is on a white marbled texture background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

These bars come alive because of the thoughtful combination of classic baking staples with fresh, seasonal cranberries and zesty orange notes. Each ingredient plays a role, from the spiced shortbread base to the luscious filling and the final sweet vanilla glaze that ties it all together. Let me walk you through why I use these ingredients and what to look for when shopping.

Cranberry Crumble Bars, cranberry bars recipe, holiday dessert bars, easy cranberry dessert, fruit crumble bars - Flat lay of fresh unsalted butter in a small white ceramic bowl, two brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl filled with granulated sugar, a small white bowl of light brown packed sugar, a small white bowl of sifted powdered sugar, a small white bowl of all-purpose flour, a small white bowl of baking powder, a small white bowl of ground cinnamon, a small white bowl of kosher salt, a small white bowl of cornstarch, a handful of fresh bright red cranberries, a few strands of orange zest next to a small white bowl of fresh orange juice, a small white bowl of vanilla extract, and a small white bowl of whole milk, all evenly spaced and arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted butter lets you control the salt level perfectly—plus, it gives the crust that rich, tender bite.
Granulated and Light Brown Sugar: A blend of sugars adds complexity—brown sugar brings moisture and a bit of caramel flavor, while granulated sugar gives a nice crunch.
Egg: Helps bind the shortbread dough just right without making it too cakey.
Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and depth to the overall flavor in both the crust and filling.
All-Purpose Flour: The sturdy backbone of the crust, it creates that firm yet crumbly base perfect for holding the juicy filling.
Baking Powder: Just a touch to give your crust a little lift without turning it fluffy.
Cinnamon: Infuses a cozy spice note that plays so well with cranberries and orange.
Kosher Salt: Enhances all the flavors without overpowering.
Cranberries: Fresh or frozen, they provide the signature tartness; frozen works great when fresh aren’t available, just thaw them slightly before using.
Cornstarch: Thickens the cranberry filling so it sets up nicely and doesn’t run all over the pan.
Orange Zest and Juice: Brighten up the tartness with fresh citrus aroma and flavor.
Powdered Sugar: For the glaze—it’s super fine so it dissolves smoothly for a seamless drizzle atop your bars.
Whole Milk or Heavy Cream: Adds creaminess to the glaze and balances the sweetness perfectly.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts about this Cranberry Crumble Bars Recipe is how flexible it is—you can play around with the fruit, spices, or even the glaze depending on your taste and occasion. I often tweak it when baking for friends to keep things fun and personal.

Variation: I sometimes swap cranberries for mixed berries during summer for a sweeter, less tart version that still keeps the crumble concept intact.
Dietary Modifications: If you want gluten-free bars, try using a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend; just be sure to watch the texture as it may vary slightly.
Spice it Up: Adding a pinch of nutmeg or ginger to the crust can add an extra warm note that’s wonderful especially in colder months.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cranberry Crumble Bars Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butters and Sugars Until Fluffy

Start by grabbing your stand mixer (or hand mixer) and beat the unsalted butter together with the granulated and brown sugars. It’s important to get this mixture really light and fluffy—this usually takes about 3 minutes on medium speed. This step is where all that buttery richness begins, and it makes such a difference in how tender and flavorful the crust turns out. Don’t forget to scrape down the sides of your bowl so everything mixes evenly.

Step 2: Mix in Egg and Vanilla

Once your butter and sugar are well creamed, add in the egg and vanilla extract. These ingredients bring moisture and bind the dough. Blend everything just until combined—overmixing here can toughen the crust later.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients & Carefully Mix Dough

In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and kosher salt. Then add these dry ingredients to your butter mixture in batches, mixing just until the dough starts to pull away from the sides of your bowl. Resist the urge to overmix—think “just coming together.” This gives you that ideal crumbly structure.

Step 4: Set Aside a Portion of Dough for the Crumble Topping

I always reserve about 2 cups of this dough, loosely packed, to crumble on top of the cranberry layer after baking the bottom crust. This makes your bars extra special with a buttery, textured finish that highlights the tart filling.

Step 5: Press Dough Into Pan & Pre-Bake Crust

Line an 8 x 8-inch pan with parchment paper (so much easier for removing bars later!). Press the main amount of dough evenly into the pan. I like to use the flat bottom of a measuring cup—that way, the crust is nice and even. Bake it at 350°F for about 15 minutes, until the edges start turning golden and the center is just set. Your nose will tell you it’s ready—the aroma is amazing! Let it cool slightly before moving on.

Step 6: Prepare the Cranberry Filling

While the crust is baking and cooling, mix the cranberries, sugar, cornstarch, orange zest, orange juice, and vanilla in a big bowl. If you’re using frozen cranberries, no worries—just thaw them slightly and drain any excess liquid to keep the filling from getting too watery. The cornstarch will thicken the filling beautifully during baking.

Step 7: Assemble & Add Crumble Topping

Pour the cranberry filling over the pre-baked crust, spreading it gently to cover evenly. Then break up the reserved dough into smaller chunks—don’t worry about making it look perfect! Scatter those pieces randomly over the cranberry layer; having some cranberry peeking through makes the bars look rustic and inviting.

Step 8: Bake Until Bubbly and Golden

Bake the whole pan for about 45 minutes. Keep an eye on it the last 10–15 minutes and cover it loosely with aluminum foil so the crumble topping doesn’t brown too much. You want that golden color without burning the edges. When it’s done, the cranberry filling should be bubbling gently, and the topping crisp and fragrant.

Step 9: Cool Completely & Drizzle with Vanilla Glaze

Once the bars come out of the oven, set the pan on a wire rack and let them cool completely. This cooling time helps the filling set up so the bars slice cleanly. Mix up the vanilla glaze by whisking powdered sugar, milk or cream, and vanilla until it’s just pourable—but not too thin—and drizzle over the cooled bars. This final touch adds a lovely hint of sweetness and shine.

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Tips from My Kitchen

Room Temperature Ingredients: Bringing butter and egg to room temp helps the dough come together more evenly and results in a softer, more tender crust.
Avoid Overmixing: When combining flour, mix just until the dough holds together to keep your bars crumbly, not tough.
Parchment Paper Magic: Lining your pan makes removing bars simple and helps keep the crumble topping intact.
Watch the Bake Time: Covering with foil toward the end stops the topping from overbrowning but still lets the filling get bubbly and cooked through.

How to Serve Cranberry Crumble Bars Recipe

Cranberry Crumble Bars, cranberry bars recipe, holiday dessert bars, easy cranberry dessert, fruit crumble bars - The image shows a close-up of nine square-shaped dessert bars arranged in a grid on a white marbled surface. Each bar has two main layers: a golden-brown crumbly top with a rough texture, and a bright red fruit filling underneath that appears juicy and slightly glossy with visible whole berries. There are white icing drizzle lines scattered unevenly on top of the crumbly layer, adding contrast to the warm golden and red colors. The edges of the bars show the rich fruit filling oozing out just a little, and the bars look soft and thick, with clear separations between each square. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I love keeping it simple here—a light dusting of extra powdered sugar or some finely chopped toasted pecans sprinkled on top add a little extra texture and sophistication. Sometimes I add a few fresh cranberries or a sprig of rosemary to make the presentation feel holiday-ready. It’s these tiny touches that make your guests smile before they even take a bite!

Side Dishes

These bars are pretty perfect on their own, but if you’re serving them as part of a larger dessert spread, they pair beautifully with vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. For a brunch gathering, I like offering fresh fruit and nuts alongside to create a balanced flavor palette.

Creative Ways to Present

For festive occasions, I’ve arranged these bars on a rustic wooden platter with sprigs of fresh thyme and bundled cinnamon sticks. Serving in bite-sized squares with a mini fork doubles the fun at cocktail parties. And layering a few bars in a pretty tin wrapped with a bow makes a thoughtful homemade gift that friends adore.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay delightfully fresh for up to four days. I don’t usually refrigerate since the shortbread and crumble can dry out, but if your kitchen’s warm, a cool spot works fine.

Freezing

If you want to freeze them, I recommend freezing the bars before you drizzle the vanilla glaze—that way the glaze stays fresh and doesn’t get grainy. After freezing, just defrost at room temperature and add the glaze fresh before serving. This makes a great prep-ahead treat for busy days or holiday celebrations.

Reheating

To warm the bars, I lightly heat them in a low oven (around 300°F) for 5–7 minutes, which refreshes the buttery crust without drying out the filling. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that lovely crumble texture intact.

FAQs

Can I use frozen cranberries instead of fresh in the Cranberry Crumble Bars Recipe?

Absolutely! Frozen cranberries work great—just thaw them slightly and drain any excess liquid before mixing with sugar and other ingredients. This step helps prevent the filling from turning watery, keeping your bars nicely set.
How do I make sure the shortbread crust is crumbly and not tough?

Use room temperature unsalted butter and avoid overmixing the dough once the flour is added. Mixing just until the dough comes together gives you that delicate, crumbly texture that melts in your mouth.
Can I prepare the bars ahead of time?

Yes! The crust and filling can be assembled in advance and baked a day ahead. You can also freeze the bars before glazing and store them for later. Just add the vanilla glaze fresh once they’re thawed and ready to serve.
What can I substitute if I don’t have cornstarch?

You can use arrowroot powder or tapioca starch in the same amount if you don’t have cornstarch. These alternatives help thicken the cranberry filling just as well.
Is there a way to make the cranberry bars less sweet?

Definitely! You can reduce the sugar slightly in the cranberry filling or skip the vanilla glaze if you prefer a less sweet treat. The natural tartness of cranberries shines through beautifully either way.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Cranberry Crumble Bars Recipe feels like a little hug from my kitchen to yours. The balance of tart fruit, buttery crust, and sweet glaze makes it a dessert I’m always excited to share, especially when friends and family gather. If you’re looking for a recipe that’s approachable yet impressive, you’ve found it. Give it a try, and I promise these bars will quickly become one of your go-to favorites. Happy baking!