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creamy cranberry orange crumb bars

Creamy Cranberry Orange Crumb Bars

  • Author: David
  • Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes (includes chilling)
  • Yield: 16 bars 1x

Description

These creamy cranberry orange crumb bars combine a buttery crumb base, luscious cheesecake layer, and a tart cranberry-orange swirl for a festive, easy-to-share dessert. Perfect for holidays or any time you crave a bright, creamy treat that’s simple to make and slice.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour (or 1:1 gluten-free blend)
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • 1 large egg
  • Zest of 1 large orange
  • 8 oz (226g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/3 cup (67g) granulated sugar (for cheesecake layer)
  • 1 large egg (for cheesecake layer)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon orange juice (fresh squeezed)
  • 1 1/2 cups (150g) fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1/3 cup (67g) granulated sugar (for cranberry filling)
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) orange juice (for cranberry filling)
  • Zest of 1 orange (for cranberry filling)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang.
  2. In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, 1/3 cup sugar, 1/4 cup orange juice, and zest of 1 orange. Simmer over medium heat until cranberries pop and mixture thickens, about 8-10 minutes. Let cool.
  3. In a large bowl, stir together flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt. Rub orange zest into the sugar mixture.
  4. Add cold, cubed butter and blend with a pastry cutter, forks, or fingers until coarse crumbs form.
  5. Beat in 1 egg until mixture clumps but remains crumbly. Reserve 2/3 cup of this mixture for topping.
  6. Press remaining crumb mixture into prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from oven.
  7. In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and 1/3 cup sugar until smooth. Beat in 1 egg, vanilla, and 1 tablespoon orange juice until creamy.
  8. Spread cheesecake filling over the baked crust.
  9. Dollop cooled cranberry-orange mixture over cheesecake layer and swirl gently with a knife.
  10. Sprinkle reserved crumb mixture evenly over the top.
  11. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until topping is golden and center is just set. Tent with foil if browning too quickly.
  12. Cool in pan for at least 1 hour, then chill in fridge for 2-3 hours or overnight.
  13. Lift bars out with parchment, slice into squares, and serve chilled.

Notes

Chill bars thoroughly before slicing for clean edges. Both fresh and frozen cranberries work; simmer frozen berries a bit longer to thicken. For gluten-free or dairy-free, use appropriate substitutes. Bars taste even better the next day. Dust with powdered sugar before serving for extra sparkle.

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bar (1/16 of recipe)
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 16
  • Sodium: 90
  • Fat: 9
  • Saturated Fat: 5
  • Carbohydrates: 28
  • Fiber: 1
  • Protein: 3

Keywords: cranberry orange bars, cheesecake bars, crumb bars, holiday dessert, easy cheesecake, festive bars, potluck dessert, make ahead dessert

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Find it online: https://gurusrecipes.com/creamy-cranberry-orange-crumb-bars-recipe-easy-festive-cheesecake-dessert/