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Moist Christmas Cranberry Bars

Make delicious Moist Christmas Cranberry Bars with a buttery oat crust and sweet cranberry filling. This easy holiday recipe features white chocolate chips and dried cranberries for festive flavor.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 50 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 16 bars
Calories 280 kcal

Equipment

  • mixing bowl
  • whisk
  • spatula
  • oven
  • 8x8-inch square baking pan
  • parchment paper
  • knife
  • cutting board
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • wire rack
  • medium bowl

Ingredients
  

Crust and Topping

  • 1.25 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 0.5 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 0.5 tsp baking soda
  • 0.25 tsp salt
  • 12 tbsp unsalted butter melted and slightly cooled
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Filling

  • 1 can whole-berry cranberry sauce 14 ounce can
  • 0.5 cup white chocolate chips
  • 0.33 cup dried cranberries chopped

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal, and lightly grease the paper.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the 1 1/4 cups flour, 1 cup oats, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until well combined.
  • Pour the 12 tablespoons of melted butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract into the dry ingredients. Stir with a spatula until the mixture is fully moistened and forms a crumbly dough.
  • Firmly press 2/3 of this oat mixture into the bottom of your prepared pan to create an even, compact crust.
  • In a medium bowl, stir the can of cranberry sauce to break it up slightly, then spread it evenly over the crust with a spoon or offset spatula.
  • Sprinkle the remaining 1/3 of the oat mixture over the cranberry layer, followed by the 1/2 cup white chocolate chips and 1/3 cup chopped dried cranberries, distributing them evenly.
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is a light golden brown and the edges are bubbling. The bars will still be soft in the center but will firm up as they cool.
  • Let the pan cool completely on a wire rack, about 2 hours, then use the parchment paper to lift the entire block out before cutting into 16 bars.

Notes

Let the bars cool completely before cutting for clean slices.
Keyword bars, Christmas, cranberry, holiday