A shortbread-like cookie base + Cranberry Orange filling + Crumble = an out of this world Gluten-Free, Vegan treat, perfect for the holidays!!
Cranberry Crumble Bars
Perfectly balanced mix of sweet and tart, crowd pleasing and drool worthy!
These Cranberry Crumble Bars are a perfect holiday dessert! Festive, drool-worthy and easy to make!
You may have already tried our Raspberry Crumble Bars… I shared them just before Valentine’s Day and they have been a HUGE hit among our friends and family and they’ve been a big it with all of you!
They were such a hit I adjusted the filling a bit and made them with Blueberry Filling all Summer long, which was a huge hit, especially with all the New Englanders in my family!
The next obvious filling was Cranberry Orange for the holidays!
It is shortbread-like cookie base, a Cranberry Orange filling + Crumble topping and it is out of this world YUMMY!
The cookie base has a nice buttery flavor and perfect texture that provides just enough crunch to balance the jammy filling, and the filling is just the right amount of sweet being balanced by a touch of lemon juice, and the a crumble topping is the perfect finish!
Plus they are gluten-free, vegan (that is dairy-free and egg-free) so they satisfy so many dietary needs or preferences.
And they are super easy to make!
They are made with 10 real, whole food ingredients: gluten-free all purpose flour (we use GF Jules, affiliate link), cane sugar, salt, dairy free butter (or regular butter), brown sugar, pecans, gluten-free old fashioned rolled oats, raspberry preserves, fresh whole cranberries and fresh orange juice.
The shortbread cookie base is just 4 ingredients and comes together quickly.
This is one of those baking instances where order of operations matters…. mix the dry ingredients, then mix in the butter 1 piece at a time. Mix well and a dough will form.
While it bakes for just 15 minutes, you mix together the filling which is a blend of raspberry preserves, fresh cranberries and a touch of fresh orange juice (I have made them with both fresh squeezed and store bought orange juice)
And it’s finished with the crumble. The crumble is 4 ingredients, one being part of the base dough.
And it’s super easy to make!
Mix together the cookie base, press into the pan and bake 15 minutes.
While it makes, whisk together the filling and make the crumble topping
Top the baked cookie base with the filling, sprinkle with crumble and bake a short bit longer. That’s it!
All my taste testers have been loving them!
And they are bright and festive for the holidays!
Perfect for a party or a dinner dessert.
Hope you love them as much as we do!
Recipe adapted from America’s Test Kitchen.
Scroll down for recipe and leave a comment if you try.
A shortbread-like cookie base + Cranberry Orange filling + Crumble = an out of this world Gluten-Free, Vegan treat! Perfectly balanced and a total crowd pleaser! Recipe adapted from America's Test Kitchen.
Author: Healthy Gluten-Free Family
Recipe type: Dessert, Cookies and Bars, Holidays
Cuisine: Gluten-Free, Egg-Free, Dairy-Free and Vegan Optional
Serves: 16 bars
Ingredients
Cookie base (you will reserve ⅓ cup of the base dough for the topping)
8 tablespoons dairy free butter (or real butter), softened, cut into tablespoons (we used Earth Balance dairy-free, soy-free sticks) (NOTE: for a more buttery flavor, use 9 tablespoons of butter)
Crumble*
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
⅓ cup pecans, finely chopped
¼ cup gluten free old fashioned rolled oats
*plus ⅓ reserved cup of the cookie base dough
Cranberry Orange filling
¾ cup raspberry preserves
1 cup fresh cranberries
2¼ teaspoons fresh Orange juice
1 tablespoon sugar (optional for a slightly sweeter/ less tart filling)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
Line 8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper such that the paper hangs over the edges OR is tucked in in such a way that you can lift the paper right out of the pan when the bars are done.
Make the cookie base
Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, add flour, cane sugar and salt to a large mixing bowl and on low speed combine for about 5 seconds.
Add butter, 1 piece at a time and continue mixing until a dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the bowl, about 2-3 minutes.
Measure and set aside ⅓ cup of the dough, which will be used in the crumble.
Using your hands, press the remaining dough into an even layer in the prepared baking pan.
Bake 14-16 minutes or until edges begin to brown, rotating pan halfway though baking.
Cranberry Orange Filling
While the base bakes, combine preserves, cranberries, orange juice and sugar if using in a small bowl and stir until well combined.
Crumble Topping
While the base bakes, add the reserved dough, brown sugar, pecans and oats into the mixing bowl used for the base. Using a mixer, pastry cutter or your hands, mix until combined and "crumbly". Set aside.
Assemble
Pour Cranberry filling over the hot cookie base and spread evenly. Sprinkle with crumble topping pinching crumble with fingers to create tiny crumble "clumps". Do not press crumble into the filling.
Bake 22-25 minutes or until filling bubbling and crumble topping golden brown.
Let bars cool completely in the pan.
When cooled completely, lift the the parchment paper out of the baking pan and onto a cutting board. Cut into square and enjoy!
I made these and they were fabulous!! The only thing I will do differently is bake the crust a little longer so they are more cookie-like. This recipe will definitely be a regular in my rotation.
Hi! My name is Karen, and I’m the mom in our Healthy Gluten-Free Family. My posts and pictures here and on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter are labors of love that allow me to share a very personal journey with you, one our family has taken together — learning, experimenting and sharing how to raise a healthy happy gluten-free family. Read more ...
I made these and they were fabulous!! The only thing I will do differently is bake the crust a little longer so they are more cookie-like. This recipe will definitely be a regular in my rotation.
Yay! So happy you love them too! Thanks you!