Easy Glazed Cranberry Crumble Bars – A Festive Dessert You’ll Make on Repeat

If you’re searching for a dessert that’s both show-stopping and surprisingly easy, Easy Glazed Cranberry Crumble Bars deserve a permanent spot in your baking rotation. These buttery bars combine a tender shortbread-style base, a bright and tangy cranberry filling, a golden oat crumble topping, and a sweet vanilla glaze that ties everything together beautifully. They’re festive without being fussy, rich without being heavy, and perfectly balanced between sweet and tart.

Cranberries have a way of instantly making any dessert feel special. Their ruby-red color pops against neutral backgrounds, and their naturally sharp flavor keeps sugary treats from becoming cloying. In these bars, the cranberries are gently cooked into a jammy layer that melts into the crust and crumble. The final drizzle of glaze adds just enough sweetness to make every bite irresistible.

These cranberry crumble bars are ideal for:

• Holiday dessert tables
• Bake sales and potlucks
• Afternoon coffee treats
• Edible gifts
• Or simply treating yourself on a cozy afternoon

Even better? You don’t need fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients. Everything comes together with pantry staples and a bag of fresh or frozen cranberries.

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Why You’ll Love These Cranberry Crumble Bars

1. Perfect Flavor Balance
The tart cranberries contrast beautifully with the sweet, buttery crust and crumb topping.

2. Texture Heaven
You get layers of soft, jammy, and crumbly all in one bar.

3. Make-Ahead Friendly
They store well and taste even better the next day.

4. Crowd-Pleaser
They look impressive but are easy enough for beginner bakers.

5. Versatile
Swap in different fruits or spices depending on the season.

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Ingredients

For the Crust & Crumble:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup rolled oats
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cranberry Filling:

• 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• Zest of 1 orange
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• ¼ cup water

For the Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1–2 tablespoons milk or cream
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preheat & Prepare
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
2. Make the Cranberry Filling
   In a saucepan over medium heat, combine cranberries, sugar, orange zest, orange juice, cornstarch, and water. Stir frequently until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens (about 8–10 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
3. Mix the Crust & Crumble
   In a large bowl, whisk together flour, oats, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the egg and vanilla and mix until crumbly but holds together when pressed.
4. Press the Base
   Press about two-thirds of the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.
5. Add the Filling
   Spread the cranberry filling evenly over the crust.
6. Top with Crumble
   Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture over the cranberry layer.
7. Bake
   Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden and the filling is bubbling at the edges.
8. Cool Completely
   Let the bars cool fully in the pan before glazing.
9. Make the Glaze
   Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth and pourable.
10. Glaze & Slice
    Drizzle glaze over the cooled bars. Let it set, then lift out and cut into squares.

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Tips for Perfect Cranberry Crumble Bars

Use Cold Butter
Cold butter creates that irresistible crumbly texture.

Let Them Cool
If you cut them too soon, they’ll fall apart. Patience pays off.

Adjust Sweetness
If you prefer sweeter bars, add 1–2 extra tablespoons sugar to the cranberry filling.

Clean Cuts
Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between slices.

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Fun Variations

• Orange Cranberry Almond Bars – Add sliced almonds to the crumble.
• Apple Cranberry Crumble Bars – Replace half the cranberries with diced apples.
• Spiced Holiday Bars – Add ginger and nutmeg to the crumble mix.
• Lemon Glaze Twist – Replace vanilla in the glaze with lemon juice.

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Serving Suggestions

Serve these bars:

• With coffee or tea
• As part of a holiday dessert spread
• Warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream
• Packed in gift boxes for friends and neighbors

They’re just as good chilled as they are at room temperature.

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Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

• Room Temp: Store in an airtight container up to 3 days.
• Refrigerator: Up to 1 week.
• Freezer: Freeze unglazed bars up to 2 months.

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Cranberries: A Little Cultural Context

Cranberries have long been associated with North American harvest and holiday traditions. Native Americans used them not only for food but also for dyes and medicine. Today, they symbolize festive baking and cozy seasonal desserts. These cranberry crumble bars are a modern way to celebrate that heritage in a simple, approachable recipe.

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If you’re looking for a dessert that looks beautiful, tastes amazing, and feels special without being complicated, these Easy Glazed Cranberry Crumble Bars are it.