Cranberry Oatmeal Bars Recipe

Introduction

Enjoy the perfect combination of a buttery oat crust and a tangy cranberry apple filling with these cranberry oatmeal bars. They’re an ideal treat for Thanksgiving or any time you want a cozy, fruity dessert. Made with wholesome ingredients, these bars balance sweetness and tartness beautifully.

Ingredients

• Cranberry Filling:
• 3 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
• 2 cups finely diced and peeled apple
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 1/2 teaspoon orange zest
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 2 1/2 tablespoons arrowroot powder or cornstarch
• Crust:
• 3 cups Bob’s Red Mill Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
• 1 cup Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour
• 1/2 cup coconut sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2/3 cup melted butter (vegan or regular)
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine all the cranberry filling ingredients. Stir well and simmer for 10–12 minutes until the cranberries soften.
3. Step 3: Transfer the filling to a heat-safe blender or food processor and blend briefly until roughly puréed. Set aside.
4. Step 4: In a large bowl, mix the dry crust ingredients: oats, gluten-free flour, coconut sugar, cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg, and salt.
5. Step 5: In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until combined.
6. Step 6: Reserve 1¾ cups of the oat mixture for the topping. Press the remaining crust mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan using your hands or the back of a measuring cup.
7. Step 7: Spread the cranberry filling evenly over the crust layer. Sprinkle the reserved oat mixture on top.
8. Step 8: Bake for 33–35 minutes or until the top turns golden brown. Let the bars cool completely before slicing into squares.

Tips & Variations

• For a nutty flavor, add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans to the crust mixture.
• Replace apples with pears for a slightly different fruit profile.
• Use vegan butter to make these bars dairy-free and suitable for a vegan diet.
• If you prefer sweeter bars, drizzle a little extra maple syrup over the filling before baking.

Storage

Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To enjoy, serve chilled or warm them slightly in the microwave for about 15–20 seconds for a softer texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen cranberries?

Yes, frozen cranberries work well. There’s no need to thaw them before cooking; just add them straight to the saucepan with the other filling ingredients.

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Absolutely. This recipe already uses gluten-free rolled oats and gluten-free baking flour, making it suitable for a gluten-free diet when you choose certified gluten-free ingredients.

Cranberry Oatmeal Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 87 reviews

• Author: Matteo
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 12 bars 1x
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

These Cranberry Oatmeal Bars are a perfect balance of a buttery oat crust and a tangy cranberry-apple filling, sweetened naturally with maple syrup. Ideal for Thanksgiving or any fall dessert craving, they feature wholesome ingredients like gluten-free oats and fresh cranberries, resulting in a delicious, chewy, and slightly tart treat.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cranberry Filling:

• 3 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
• 2 cups finely diced and peeled apple
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 1/2 teaspoon orange zest
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 2 1/2 tablespoons arrowroot powder or cornstarch

Crust:

• 3 cups Bob’s Red Mill Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
• 1 cup Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour
• 1/2 cup coconut sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2/3 cup melted butter (vegan or regular)
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the bars.
2. Make the cranberry filling: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine cranberries, diced apple, maple syrup, orange juice, orange zest, cinnamon, ground ginger, and arrowroot powder or cornstarch. Stir well and simmer for 10-12 minutes until the cranberries soften and the mixture thickens. Carefully blend the filling in a heat-safe blender or food processor until roughly puréed. Set aside to cool.
3. Mix dry crust ingredients: In a large bowl, combine oats, gluten-free baking flour, coconut sugar, cinnamon, salt, ground ginger, and nutmeg. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute all spices and sugar.
4. Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together melted butter, maple syrup, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
5. Form the crust base: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry oat mixture and stir well until fully combined. Reserve 1 3/4 cups of this oat mixture for the topping. Press the remaining oat mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan using your hands or the back of a measuring cup to form a firm base.
6. Assemble the bars: Spread the prepared cranberry filling evenly over the oat crust layer. Then sprinkle the reserved oat mixture on top, distributing it evenly to form the crumbly topping.
7. Bake: Bake the assembled bars in the preheated oven for 33-35 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling slightly.
8. Cool and serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan to let the filling set properly. Once cooled, cut into squares and serve. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Notes

• You can use fresh or frozen cranberries depending on availability.
• Ensure the pan is lined with parchment paper to easily remove the bars after baking.
• The arrowroot powder or cornstarch helps to thicken the cranberry filling; do not skip this step.
• For a vegan version, use vegan butter or coconut oil instead of regular butter.
• Letting the bars cool completely before slicing improves the texture and helps them hold together when cut.
• Store leftovers in the refrigerator to maintain freshness up to 5 days.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: cranberry bars, oatmeal bars, gluten free dessert, fall dessert, Thanksgiving dessert, cranberry apple bars, baked oatmeal bars