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Cranberry Sauce Oat Bars Recipe

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4.1 from 8 reviews

These Cranberry Sauce Oat Bars are a delightful combination of buttery oat crumb base, tangy cranberry sauce, and a crunchy pecan oat topping. Perfect for a festive treat or a sweet snack, they are easy to prepare and bake to golden perfection.

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 9 bars

Ingredients

Base

  • 3/4 cup butter, softened to room temperature
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • Pinch of salt

Filling

  • 1 cup cranberry sauce

Topping

  • 3 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 1/3 cup pecans, finely crushed
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the bars.
  2. Prepare the Base: In a large bowl, cream together 3/4 cup softened butter and 3/4 cup brown sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer until light and fluffy. Then add 1 1/2 cups rolled oats, 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Mix until fully combined; the mixture will resemble coarse crumbs.
  3. Press Base into Pan: Transfer this crumbly mixture into a 9-inch square baking pan. Firmly press it down evenly to create a solid base layer.
  4. Add Cranberry Sauce Layer: Spread 1 cup of cranberry sauce evenly over the crumb base, creating a vibrant, flavorful middle layer.
  5. Make Pecan Oat Topping: In a shallow saucepan over medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup rolled oats, 1/3 cup finely crushed pecans, and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Mix well until combined.
  6. Top the Bars: Evenly sprinkle the pecan oat topping over the cranberry sauce layer in the baking pan.
  7. Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned and crisp.
  8. Cool and Serve: Remove the bars from the oven and place the pan on a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Once cooled, cut into 9 even squares and serve.

Notes

  • Use fresh cranberry sauce or leftover homemade cranberry sauce for best results.
  • Press the oat base firmly to prevent crumbling when cutting the bars.
  • For a nut-free version, omit the pecans or substitute with seeds such as sunflower or pumpkin seeds.
  • Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
  • These bars freeze well; wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
  • Author: Maya
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://recipeteach.com/cranberry-sauce-oat-bars-recipe/