Cranberry Crumble Bars
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
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)
- 1½ cups gluten-free flour (with xanthan gum) (we used GF Jules, affiliate link)
- ⅓ cup cane sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 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!
- Store in the refrigerator for several days
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!