We’re committed to NET ZERO carbon emissions by 2030 NET ZERO image Read how!

Log into your account

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Our Food
  • How It Works
  • Food Waste
Get started for free
  • Tips & Guides
  • Recipes
  • Featured Food
  • Food Waste Movement
  • About Imperfect
Not a member yet?
Get started for free
Log into your account
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Our Food
  • How It Works
  • Food Waste
  • Blog
  • Tips & Guides
  • Recipes
  • Featured Food
  • About Imperfect
  • Food Waste Movement
  • Sign Up
  • FAQs
  • Impact
  • Our Packaging
  • Refer a Friend
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
recipes

Cranberry Crumb Bars

Recipe and photo by Katie Olsen of Katiebird Bakes!

With a buttery, holiday-spiced base that doubles as the crumb, and a lightly sweetened cranberry filling, these cranberry crumb bars celebrate the humble fruit long after Thanksgiving ends!

Ingredients

Filling

  • 2 c fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1/2 c apple cider
  • 1/3 c sugar
  • 1 tsp cornstarch

Crumb Base + Topping

  • 1 1/2 c all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 c granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • Pinch of allspice
  • Pinch of cloves
  • 1/2 c unsalted butter, cold and cubed (1 stick)
  • 1 egg yolk (from 1 large egg)

Instructions

Filling

  1. In a medium saucepan, stir together the cranberries, apple cider, sugar, and cornstarch. Bring to a boil over medium heat, and cook, stirring frequently, until mixture thickens and cranberries break down, about 5 minutes.
  2. Remove from heat and let cool while you make the crumb mixture.

Crumb Base + Topping

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Grease an 8×8 inch square pan, or line it with parchment paper. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and spices.
  3. Add cold butter to the bowl and cut it into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter, a fork, or (my favorite method) your fingertips. Stop when the mixture resembles wet sand. There may be some larger pea-sized butter pieces.
  4. Mix in the egg yolk until the entire mixture is moistened. You may have to use your hands to fully incorporate it.
  5. Pour half the mixture into the prepared pan, and press into an even flat layer with your hands. Make sure it is compact.
  6. Pour the cooled filling over the base crumb layer, spreading it evenly to the edges of the pan. Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over top.
  7. Bake for 35-37 minutes, until topping is lightly browned and filling is bubbling. Let cool completely before cutting into squares and serving.

Recipe Notes

  • In the somewhat unlikely event that you have leftover bars, you can store them in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  • Don’t throw out your egg whites! Save them for a delicious omelet, or try making these delicious meringue cookies.

Want to make your groceries last longer?

Use our storage guide to waste less food and enjoy cooking more.
See the guide

Made it? Let’s see!

#ImperfectCooking

You butter believe we'd like a peek! Share your creations with us @ImperfectFoods

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

guest

2 Comments
Oldest
Newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Sandra Muse
Sandra Muse
1 year ago

Love rhe recipe EXCEPT please don’t throw out the egg white. Soooo many uses. Hard to believe a site sponored by Imperfect Foods would even suggest such a waste.

Reply
Imperfect Foods
Imperfect Foods
1 year ago
Reply to  Sandra Muse

You’re absolutely correct! We just updated the recipe to include suggestions of how to use the egg white. Thanks for keeping us accountable! 💚

Reply
Tagged Dessert

You might find these a-peel-ing

Baking
Easy Pumpkin Snack Cake with M...
Feeling festive for fall and craving something sweet? This easy recipe for pumpk...
Read more
Leftover hacks
Kitchen Sink Compost Cookies
These cookies can be made with any leftover snacks and chocolate you have on han...
Read more
Side
Plant-Based Superfood Salad
As healthy as it is hearty, this dish features Daring plant-based chicken tossed...
Read more
Dessert
Chocolate Carrot Cake with Cre...
What better way to celebrate B Corp month than with cake? We made our delicious ...
Read more
5 ingredients or fewer
Savory Zucchini Pancakes
We’ve all been there: you order all the veggies but can’t figure out...
Read more
Back to Recipes

Want olive the latest?

Sign up for emails to stay up to date.

ImperfectFoods Logo
B Certificate Logo
  • Sign Up
  • FAQs
  • Impact
  • Our Packaging
  • Refer a Friend
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
Download on the App Store Badge Download on the Google App Badge
Imperfect Foods © 2023. All Rights Reserved
Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Do Not Sell My Personal Information