Your New Favorite Way to Use Cranberry Sauce

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, many of us are already thinking about the inevitable: leftovers! And what better way to reimagine those holiday remnants than with delightful Cranberry Crumble Bars? These bars, starring leftover cranberry sauce, are about to become your new post-holiday tradition.

Whether you call them crumble bars, crumb bars, or shortbread jam bars, one thing’s certain: these cranberry bars are destined for dessert fame. Imagine a buttery shortbread base, a jammy cranberry filling bursting with flavor, and a golden crumble topping infused with a hint of cinnamon. They offer a delightful balance of sweet and tart, making them utterly irresistible.

Here’s the best part: you don’t need Thanksgiving leftovers to make these bars. A simple can of cranberry sauce from the grocery store will do the trick. Or, for a more homemade touch, whip up a batch of 15-minute cranberry orange sauce when those tart little berries first appear in the produce section.

Serve these bars chilled, at room temperature, or warmed with a scoop of vanilla ice cream – a personal favorite! – or a generous dollop of homemade whipped cream. One bite, and you’ll be hooked, wanting to make them throughout the entire holiday season, leftovers or not.

Cranberry Sauce: The Secret Ingredient

Most cranberry crumble bar recipes begin with fresh cranberries tossed in sugar and cornstarch. While delicious, our goal was a truly jammy filling and a clever way to utilize that container of leftover cranberry sauce staring back at you from the refrigerator the day after Thanksgiving. The secret to success? Cranberry sauce!

No cranberry sauce leftovers? No problem! You can create these bars using:

• Canned cranberry sauce (opt for whole-berry instead of jellied)
• Fresh cranberries quickly transformed into a luscious sauce with a homemade cranberry orange sauce recipe (ready in just 15 minutes!)
• Store-bought cranberry jam

Why cranberry sauce excels compared to whole cranberries:

• Creates a flawlessly jammy and consistent layer
• Eliminates the need for cornstarch
• Prevents soggy or watery centers
• Provides year-round availability (thanks to the convenience of canned cranberry sauce)

Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s gather the ingredients to create these delightful cranberry crumble bars. Here’s what you’ll need:

• All-purpose flour: This forms the sturdy base of the crust and topping. For a gluten-free alternative, Cup4Cup flour should work well in this recipe.
• Rolled oats: Also known as old-fashioned oats, these provide the best chewy texture. Avoid quick oats, as they tend to become mushy.
• Light brown sugar: Brown sugar adds moisture and a rich, caramel-like flavor that complements the tart cranberries beautifully. It also contributes to a softer texture in the crumble topping.
• Ground cinnamon and vanilla extract: These elevate the flavor profile, adding warmth and depth.
• Baking powder: This ensures a light and tender crust and topping.
• Butter: Melted butter creates a cohesive, cookie-like mixture rather than a classic chunky crumb. It also simplifies the process, eliminating the need for creaming or a pastry cutter. Simply stir and go!
• Cranberry sauce: The star of the show! Choose your favorite homemade or store-bought variety.

Refer to the recipe card below for precise ingredient amounts and complete details.

Optional but Highly Recommended: Orange Zest

If you’re using orange cranberry sauce, you’ll already enjoy this flavor boost. But even with canned sauce, a touch of orange zest folded into the cranberry layer (or sprinkled on top after baking) adds brightness, balance, and that classic cranberry-orange flavor combination.

How to Make Cranberry Crumb Bars

Ready to bake? Follow these simple steps to create perfect cranberry crumb bars:

Start with the crust and crumb topping. The shortbread crust and crumble topping are made from the same easy mixture, which means fewer dishes, less measuring, and more time to “quality control” the edges.

Melt the butter and let it cool slightly while you whisk together the dry ingredients. Add the melted butter and vanilla, stirring until everything is evenly moistened and the mixture begins to clump together. It won’t resemble cookie dough; aim for moist, sandy crumbles that hold together when squeezed in your hand.

Transfer about two-thirds of the crumble mixture into the bottom of an 8-inch square baking pan lined with parchment paper. Press it firmly into an even layer – start with your fingers, then use the bottom of a measuring cup or a spatula to smooth it out.

Par-bake the oatmeal crust for 10 minutes, then remove it from the oven. This gives it a head start, ensuring it stays crisp under the cranberry layer instead of becoming soggy.

Carefully spread the cranberry sauce over the warm base. Don’t worry if it sinks into the crust a bit – that’s what creates the jammy middle once the bars cool and set.

All that’s left is to add the cookie-like, oat crumble topping and bake. Every oven behaves slightly differently, so begin checking around the 23–25 minute mark. If the top is browning too quickly but the filling isn’t bubbling yet, loosely tent the pan with foil and continue baking.

Consider giving these cranberry crumb bars a light dusting of powdered sugar right before serving for a festive, bakery-style touch. For an extra touch of citrus flair, drizzle the cooled bars with an orange glaze. Or, keep them simple – no garnish is needed!

Kelly’s Expert Recipe Tips

Here are some additional tips to ensure perfect cranberry crumble bars every time:

• Let them cool completely. The bars must cool completely in order to set properly and be easily sliced. Enjoying them warm is certainly an option, but serve them as more of a fruit crumble in a bowl.
• Press the crust firmly. A tightly packed base contributes to a sturdy and crisp crust.
• Check for doneness visually. The bars are ready when the crumb topping is golden brown and the cranberry layer is slightly bubbling around the edges.
• If using homemade cranberry sauce, drain excess liquid. If the sauce is very loose or runny, let it sit in a fine-mesh sieve for 5–10 minutes to prevent soggy bars.

Storage Instructions for Freshness

Proper storage will keep your cranberry crumble bars fresh and delicious.

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

For longer storage, freeze the fully baked and cooled bars tightly wrapped in plastic wrap (to prevent freezer burn) before placing them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

More Irresistible Dessert Bars

Looking for more delicious dessert bar recipes? Check out these favorites:

• Magic Cookie Bars
• Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
• Monster Cookie Bars
• No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars
• Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
• Soft Sugar Cookie Bars

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Cranberry Crumble Bars Recipe (Detailed)