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apple cranberry crumble bars stacked

Apple Cranberry Crumble Bars

These apple cranberry crumble bars are soft, buttery, and lightly tart. Sweet apples and bright cranberries sit between a golden oat crumble crust and topping. Easy to make, easy to slice, and perfect for holidays, tea time, or casual desserts.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 52 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 12 minutes
Servings: 12 Bars
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Crumble Base and Topping
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup cold unsalted butter cut into cubes
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts optional
Apple Cranberry Filling
  • 3 medium apples peeled and diced
  • 1 ½ cups cranberries fresh or frozen
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Method
 

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  1. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some paper hanging over the sides.
  2. In a large bowl, mix flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
Add the cold butter cubes.
  1. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work the butter into the dry mix until crumbly.
Stir in walnuts if using.
  1. Press about two-thirds of the crumble mixture firmly into the prepared pan.
Bake the crust for 12 minutes.
  1. Remove from the oven and set aside.
  2. While the crust bakes, add apples, cranberries, sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, vanilla, and cinnamon to a saucepan.
  3. Cook over medium heat for 8–10 minutes, stirring often, until the fruit softens and the filling thickens.
  4. Spread the warm apple cranberry filling evenly over the baked crust.
  5. Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture loosely over the top.
  6. Bake for 35–40 minutes, until the top is golden and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
  7. Let the bars cool completely before slicing.

Notes

  • You can use fresh or frozen cranberries. No need to thaw frozen ones.
  • Let the bars cool fully before cutting. This helps them hold their shape.
  • Store at room temperature for up to 4 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
  • These bars freeze well and thaw quickly.