Description
Cranberry crumble bars offer a delightful symphony of sweet-tart flavors and buttery, crumbly texture. Festive seasonal ingredients blend perfectly, creating an irresistible dessert sure to charm family and friends at holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
Shortbread Crust:
- 3 ¼ cups (405 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
Filling Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups cranberries
- ⅔ cup (133 g) granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
Finishing/Seasoning Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
Glaze Ingredients:
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 4 tablespoons whole milk or heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Craft a cozy parchment paper base in an 8×8-inch baking vessel, ensuring slight overhang for effortless extraction.
- Utilize a stand mixer to harmonize butter, granulated and brown sugars until airy and voluminous, creating a velvety foundation.
- Introduce egg and vanilla essence, blending thoroughly to achieve a cohesive mixture.
- Sift together flour, baking powder, warming cinnamon, and delicate salt in a separate vessel.
- Gently incorporate dry ingredients into wet components, mixing minimally until dough spontaneously separates from mixer walls.
- Strategically reserve approximately two cups of dough for crumbly crown, pressing remaining mixture firmly into prepared pan to create an uniform base.
- Roast the foundational layer until golden-rimmed and center appears subtly set, approximately 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, orchestrate cranberry symphony by amalgamating tart berries with sugar, cornstarch, vibrant orange zest, citrusy juice, and vanilla extract.
- Cascade cranberry medley across pre-baked crust, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
- Disassemble reserved dough into irregular, flattened fragments, artfully dispersing atop fruity landscape, permitting crimson gems to peep through.
- Bake for three-quarters of an hour, shielding with aluminum veil during final segment to prevent excessive caramelization.
- Allow creation to cool completely on wire platform, transforming into serene state.
- Whisk powdered sugar, dairy liquid, and vanilla into silky glaze, adjusting consistency as desired.
- Gracefully drizzle luminous glaze across cooled masterpiece, creating elegant finishing touch.
Notes
- Chill dough briefly before pressing into pan for cleaner, more even shortbread base.
- Use fresh or frozen cranberries interchangeably, ensuring berries are completely thawed if frozen.
- Create rustic crumble topping by breaking reserved dough into irregular, uneven pieces for attractive texture.
- Cover bars with foil during final baking stage to prevent excessive browning while ensuring complete cranberry filling cooking.
- Allow bars to cool completely before glazing to prevent runny, messy drizzle and achieve clean, professional finish.
- Store in airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days or refrigerate for extended freshness, bringing to room temperature before serving.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg