Cranberry Crumb Bars

 

I made these last night. I had to run in HEB to get somebody another gallon of whole milk and bananas. Two staples in our home. While picking up the bananas I spotted adorable packages of fresh cranberries. I'm a sucker for cute packaging! I've never baked with fresh (or even frozen) cranberries, but I googled for a Baker Chick recipe and wasn't disappointed.

 

The bars are fantastic. The cranberries are just tart enough, and the crumb part is sweet. A great combination. This recipe is a keeper!

 

Ingredients

• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup cold unsalted butter (2 sticks or 8 ounces)
• 1 egg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Zest from one orange
• 2 tablespoons of orange juice
• 4 cups fresh cranberries
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 4 teaspoons cornstarch

 

 

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9×13 inch pan.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together 1 cup sugar, 3 cups flour, and baking powder. Mix in salt and orange zest. Use a fork or pastry cutter to blend in the butter and egg. (I use my hands.) Dough will be crumbly. Pat half of dough into the prepared pan.
3. In another bowl, stir together the sugar, cornstarch and orange juice. Gently mix in the cranberries, add the cinnamon. Sprinkle the cranberry mixture evenly over the crust. Crumble remaining dough over the berry layer.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until top is slightly brown. Cool completely before cutting into squares.

via: The Baker Chick