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–+ servings

Cranberry Oat Bars

Manila Spoon
With a perfect balance of sweet and tart these scrumptious cranberry oat bars are the perfect holiday treat! The addition of chopped walnuts give them a nutty crunch that brings these yummy bars over the top. These bars can be made completely gluten-free and tastes as deliciously good!
4.82 from 11 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Course Desserts
Cuisine American
Servings 24 bars
Calories 215 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 2½ cups fresh or frozen cranberries
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup orange juice
  • 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup (16 tbsp) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1¼ cup light brown sugar (see note)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • ½ cup walnuts, coarsely chopped

Instructions
 

  • In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, bring cranberries, granulated sugar, and orange juice to boil. Cook, stirring often, until cranberries pop and the mixture starts to thicken 3-4 minutes. Set aside and allow to cool for 30 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 325F. Grease a 9x13 pan with butter.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the oats, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
  • Using an electric mixer beat the softened butter and brown sugar on medium-high speed until fluffy about 3 minutes. Add the egg and mix until combined. Reduce the speed to low, add the oat mixture, and mix just until combined.
  • Transfer about 2/3 of the dough into the prepared 9x13 pan and press and spread evenly. Pour the cooled-down cranberry sauce all over the dough.
  • Mix the chopped walnuts to the remaining dough and sprinkle about a rounded teaspoon-size or less of the dough over the cranberry layer. Make sure to scatter these little pieces all over to create a beautiful contrast of colors.
  • Place in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Allow the bars to cool in the pan over a rack for at least 2 hours. Slice into 24 pieces before serving. Enjoy such a deliciously more-ish treat!

Notes

TIPS  & TRICKS
To make these cranberry oat bars completely gluten-free, use oatmeal flour instead of  all-purpose flour. I simply use my food processor to finely grind the oatmeal so no need to buy actual oat flour.
If you want a slightly sweeter version, use a full 1 1/2 cups of sugar instead of 1 1/4. I prefer it tangier so I lessen the sugar but if you just want a perfect balance of sweer-tart flavors use the 1 1/2 cups.

Nutrition

Calories: 215kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 2gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 28mgSodium: 123mgPotassium: 78mgFiber: 2gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 260IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 22mgIron: 1mg
Keyword cinnamon spiced cranberry oat bars, cranberry oat bars, cranberry oatmeal bars, healthy cranberry oat bars
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