Cranberry, Orange & Pecan Oatmeal Bars
These oatmeal bars combine the tangy flavors of cranberries and orange with the nuttiness of pecans, making them an ideal treat for breakfast or a midday snack
- Category: Snack, Breakfast, Dessert
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Oatmeal Base and Topping:
- 1½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup (1½ sticks) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the Filling:
- 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- Zest and juice of one medium orange
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ¾ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Prepare the Cranberry Filling:
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the cranberries, granulated sugar, orange zest, and orange juice.
- Cook until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens, about 10 minutes.
- Stir in the cornstarch and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fully incorporated.
- Remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature.
- Prepare the Oatmeal Base and Topping:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- Pour in the melted butter and vanilla extract; mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Assemble the Bars:
- Press about two-thirds of the oatmeal mixture firmly into the prepared baking pan to form the crust.
- Spread the cooled cranberry filling evenly over the crust.
- Sprinkle the chopped pecans over the cranberry layer.
- Crumble the remaining oatmeal mixture over the top, pressing gently to adhere.
- Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- Serve:
- Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan.
- Transfer to a cutting board and slice into squares or rectangles.
- Enjoy immediately, or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Notes
- For a sweeter flavor, consider adding a drizzle of icing made from powdered sugar and orange juice on top of the cooled bars.
- These bars can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Find it online: https://recipe.newsvks.com/cranberry-orange-pecan-oatmeal-bars/