Cranberry Oat Bars

Recipe View 8 mins Prepare the Cranberry Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the cranberries, granulated sugar, and orange zest. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cook for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries have burst and the mixture has thickened to a jam-like consistency. Let cool slightly.

Recipe View 5 mins Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x9 inch baking pan. Line the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal, and then grease the parchment paper.

Recipe View 10 mins Make the Oat Crumble: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Be careful not to overmix.

Recipe View 5 mins Assemble and Bake: Press half of the oat mixture firmly into the prepared pan to form a base. Spread the cranberry sauce evenly over the base. Crumble the remaining oat mixture evenly over the top of the cranberry layer.

Recipe View 30 mins Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the cranberry filling is bubbling slightly. If the topping starts to brown too quickly, you can tent the pan with foil during the last 10 minutes of baking.

Recipe View 1 hrs Cool and Cut: Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into squares. Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan for easier cutting.