August 28, 2006

Cranberry Crumble Bars

On a recent visit to Chef's Nook in Mandaluyong, I bought a bag of dried cranberries. I didn't know yet what I was going to do with it, I just knew I wanted them. I went through my recipes: cranberry glazed breast of turkey (but made with chicken) ?, cranberry fig chutney?, crunchy cranberry buttermilk muffins? Finally, I decided I wanted a crumble or crisp type of dessert. (That is one and the same right, crumble and crisp?)

So I settled on a cranberry crumble bar recipe I had which I got from the Home Baking Association some time ago. I've always enjoyed tarty desserts, especially those made with lemons ! And lime. (read: key lime pie!) So here's what I made and the recipe for it.


Cranberry Crumble Bars

3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups quick-cooking or old-fashioned oats
1 cup all-purpose or whole-wheat flour
1/4 tsp. salt

Filling:
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup water
2 cups fresh cranberries (I used dried)
1 tbsp grated orange peel
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 400°F

Prepare cranberry filling; mix sugar, orange juice, and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir in cranberryies, orange peel and cinnamon. Cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes, stir occasionally until thickened. Set aside to cool.

Mix brown sugar and butter in a medium bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients until crumbly.

Press half of the crumbly mixtures in an ungreased rectangular parn, 13 x 9 x 2. Spread with filling and top with remaining crumbly mixture. Press lightly. Bake about 20 minutes or until light brown. Let cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing.


Tastewise, they were great! But I think the overall aesthetics could have been improved a bit. Maybe by adding a tad more butter, or perhaps syrup to bind the oats together a bit more. The first bar I sliced crumbled to pieces. But as I let it cool a little longer, they were a firmer and easier to handle.

My favorite way of eating the bars was a la mode. Warmed in the toaster oven and topped with vanilla ice cream. I've always loved the combination of warm cookies/crumbles/cakes and ice cream. :)

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

These look great Nens! I didn't know you used the cranberries already! Yumyum :)

Lori said...

I also was seduced by those cranberries and I bought a kilo, imagine! I haven't baked with them yet but I have eaten them with my all-bran cereal. Good, although I'd rather eat one of your cranberry crumble bars, Nena!

Anonymous said...

This looks lovely! I like the fruit & crunch combo, especially in warm cobblers...and judging by your reaction last Saturday to the Apple Crisp, so do you! ;-)

I was at Rustan's last weekend and gave in to the new dark chocolates they have. I made myself choose JUST ONE, and decided on the one with cranberries and macadamia because it was the most unusual. I've never had cranberries with chocolate. Haven't tried yet, though, 'cause haven't eaten at home since I bought it.

christine said...

Jo, yup! Almost immediately actually. I couldn't wait. :)

Hi Lori, I used to sprinkle dried cranberries, apricots, even dried papayas on my cereal too. I wish I had bought another bag. Would be good with fresh yoghurt as well. :)

Katrina, was I in obvious ecstacy? haha. Yes, I love the fruit & crunch combo, and the hot & cold combo, and the sweet & sour combo. This was all of that! Cranberries go well with chocolate, I know this because I had a cranberry chocolate chip muffin once (which I intend to replicate) and it was delicious. :)

Unknown said...

OMG, I heart cranberries. They're one of my fave foods! *le sigh*

BTW: the olive bread is up!

BTW2: I love your blog! It's very clean and has so much to offer! I plan to visit again!

christine said...

Garrett, you are a sweetheart! Thank you for the super nice words, and thank you for posting the olive bread recipe. I'm trying that real soon. I love your blog too! :)

Señor Enrique said...

This looks tasty. Good with my mug of decaf coffee.

BTW, Christine, you might be able to help me:

One thing I truly miss ... apple struddle; not apple pie, but apple struddle. Used to binge on them in NYC's Germantown over in Yorkville.

Any idea where I could get one here in Metro Manila?

christine said...

Oohh Apple strudel! Reminds me of an Easter vacation in Geisenheim. I wish I knew where to find that here in Manila, but I promise if I do chance upon it I will let you know immediately. I'll ask around as well.

Señor Enrique said...

Thanks, Christine :)