These easy, one-pan cranberry crumble bars deliver all the cozy flavors of a classic cranberry pie — but with far less mess! Featuring a buttery shortbread crust, a tangy citrus-spiked cranberry filling, and a drizzle of sweet vanilla glaze, these bars are perfect for holiday gatherings or any time you crave a festive treat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Keep a bag of cranberries handy in your freezer for an easy-to-make dessert whenever the craving hits! Here’s what you need:
For the Shortbread Crust & Topping:
- Unsalted butter (room temperature)
- Granulated sugar
- Light brown sugar (packed)
- Large egg (room temperature)
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Ground cinnamon
- Kosher salt
For the Cranberry Filling:
- Fresh or frozen cranberries
- Granulated sugar
- Cornstarch
- Orange zest and juice
- Vanilla extract
For the Vanilla Glaze:
- Powdered sugar
- Whole milk or heavy cream
- Vanilla extract
How to Make Cranberry Crumble Bars
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
Step 2: In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugars together until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes). Add the egg and vanilla, mixing well.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until the dough just starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl. Avoid overmixing.
Step 4: Reserve about 2 cups of dough for the crumble topping. Press the remaining dough evenly into the prepared pan.
Step 5: Bake the crust for 15 minutes until the edges are lightly golden and the center is just set. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
Step 6: Meanwhile, combine cranberries, sugar, cornstarch, orange zest and juice, and vanilla in a bowl. Spread this mixture evenly over the pre-baked crust.
Step 7: Break the reserved dough into small pieces and sprinkle it randomly over the cranberry filling, allowing the berries to peek through.
Step 8: Bake for about 45 minutes. For the last 10-15 minutes, cover the pan loosely with foil to prevent the topping from over-browning.
Step 9: Once baked, cool the bars completely on a wire rack before adding the glaze.
Making the Vanilla Glaze
Whisk together powdered sugar, milk (or cream), and vanilla until smooth. The glaze should be pourable but not too thin — add more milk or sugar as needed. Drizzle over the cooled bars.
Storage Tips
Store these bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. You can freeze them too — just freeze before glazing, then thaw and drizzle the glaze when ready to serve.
These cranberry crumble bars are a perfect balance of tart and sweet with a buttery crumble that’s sure to become a seasonal favorite!
For more delicious bar recipes, check out:
- Chocolate Cream Pie Bars
- Pecan Pie Bars
- Pumpkin Pie Bars
- Snickerdoodle Bars
- Peanut Butter S’mores Bars
- Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
Happy baking!