Delicious Cranberry Orange Streusel Bars with Shortbread Crust – The Best Recipe!

Cranberry Orange Streusel Bars with Shortbread Crust are a delicious treat that is perfect for any special occasion. These bars are made with a shortbread crust that is topped with a layer of tart cranberry orange filling and a sweet streusel topping. They are easy to make and sure to be a hit with family and friends.

Ingredients

• For the crust:
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• For the filling:
  • 1/2 cup fresh cranberries
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• For the streusel topping:
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan and set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, powdered sugar, and salt for the crust. Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press the crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 20 minutes or until lightly golden.
3. Meanwhile, make the filling. In a small saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar, orange juice, orange zest, and cornstarch. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, and cook until the cranberries have softened and the mixture has thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
4. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt for the streusel topping. Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
5. Spread the cranberry filling over the shortbread crust. Sprinkle the streusel topping over the filling. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the streusel topping is golden brown.
6. Cool completely before cutting into bars. Enjoy!

Tips and Variations

• For a Gluten-Free Version: Substitute gluten-free flour for the all-purpose flour in the crust and streusel topping.
• For a Vegan Version: Substitute vegan butter for the butter in the crust and streusel topping.
• For a Different Flavor: You can substitute different types of fruit for the cranberries. Try blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries. You can also use different types of citrus zest and juice for a different flavor. Try lemon, lime, or grapefruit.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the bars for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.