Nutty Oatmeal Cranberry Bars Recipe
Nutty Oatmeal Cranberry Bars are made with fresh cranberries, oatmeal and pecans for an easy sweet little bite or main dessert for any holiday occasion.
I do love cranberry season, don’t you? There is something so uplifting about those perky tart red berries that just puts a smile on my face. Each year when they start popping up at our local grocers, I can hardly pass them up. They are so vibrant and colorful! I usually grab a bag or two to use in recipes and decorations.
Over the years we have enjoyed cooking with them in both fresh and dried form in some of our favorite recipes, like Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce, Spiced Cranberry Hot Toddy, Cranberry Pistachio Chocolate Muffins Recipe, or these scrumptious Nutty Oatmeal Cranberry Bars. Cranberries always bring a bit of life to the flavor party, not to mention color too!
These Nutty Oatmeal Cranberry Bars are no exception. They are a sweet and tart bite balanced with nutty pecans and crunchy oatmeal, and they sure are a pretty addition to any holiday dessert menu. Of course, these bars are perfect for sharing at holiday potlucks. They’re so easy to pack and take along.
Nutty Oatmeal Cranberry Bars are about as easy as it gets to making homemade treats. They are kind of like pie in that way, only easier. These are perfect as a small sweet treat to enjoy with coffee or hot tea, or serve larger portions, slightly warmed and topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for one delicious dessert. Oh my goodness, I’m wanting to make another batch right now just thinking about it!
These east Nutty Oatmeal Cranberry Bars can be made ahead of time by a couple of days and kept covered and refrigerated. Or wrap tightly in plastic wrap, slip into a freezer zip-top bag and freeze for up to a month. Allow to come to room temperature before serving. Enjoy!
Check out these other scrumptious desserts for your holiday celebrations:
- Homemade Gingerbread Loaf Recipe
- Bailey’s Salted Caramel Chocolate Pie Recipe
- Pecan Snowball Cookies Recipe
- Chocolate Peppermint Biscotti
- Peppermint Fudge Recipe from Add a Pinch
Nutty Oatmeal Cranberry Bars Recipe
Nutty Oatmeal Cranberry Bars Recipe
These sweet and tart bars are perfect for serving as a snack during coffee or tea time, or as a main dessert served a la mode.
Ingredients
For Oatmeal Crust:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 cup old fashioned oats
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 8 tablespoon salted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
For Cranberry Nut Topping:
- 1 cup sour cream or greek yogurt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- 3 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 3/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325-degrees F. Grease or coat with cooking spray a 9x13-inch baking pan.
- For Oatmeal Crust: Prepare crust by whisking together flour, oats, brown sugar, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon. Stir in melted butter and lemon juice until combined. Evenly press mixture into the bottom of prepared baking pan.
- For Cranberry Nut Topping: Combine sour cream, vanilla extract, lemon zest, flour and brown sugar. Spread mixture over crust. Spread fresh cranberries evenly over mixture, lightly pressing into mixture. Evenly spread top with chopped nuts.
- Bake at 325-degrees F for 45-50 minutes, until light brown. Let cool completely in pan before slicing.
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These look amazing! Thank you so much for this recipe; will make it soon for sure.
I’m so obsessed with these! I love using fresh cranberries in desserts!
Made these yesterday for the holiday party and people praised the flavor (nice and tart with nutty, brown sugary flavors). I put in a little more cinnamon, added a pinch of nutmeg and cardamon and used walnuts since I had those and didn’t want to head to the store to buy pecans. Made it with a Meyer lemon and may try orange next time. Oh, and regular unsweetened yogurt works fine – make sure to pour off the whey (watery liquid) and use the thicker yogurt if you have a tub in the fridge.
These bars are gorgeous!
I can’t WAIT to try this recipe! I can just image eating one (or three!) with a hot cup of tea!
These are gorgeous – the bright, beautiful colors. I can’t wait to try them!
Can I use Crasins as a instead? I do not have the cranberries, & not get out to get them. I’m thinking it should turn out alright. I havn’t noticed if anyone else has done this. Would like to make these for hubby sometime today. Thanks
I am in love with these bars! The perfect holiday treat!
This is a very new recipe for me amazing
Thank you so much for sharing this pretty post, it was so good to read and useful to improve my knowledge as
Can’t wait to make your macaroni salad, it is similar to mine, but will try yours for a change….
Also want to make your Blueberry Lemon Bars & your Cranberry Bars….I love these Bars anyway you make them…..I make them too, but your recipe is a little different than mine, always like to try a new one…..I love easy recipes….. Thanks for posting these great recipes….6/1/19
Hello.
Do you think the recipe will hold up if I substitute with coconut yogurt?
Thank you
Thanks for this tasty oatmeal & cranberry bars recipe.
Can I make them without the pecans? I am allergic to tree nuts.
Thank you so much for share nutty oatmeal cranberry bars recipe. I will make cranberry bars follow your recipe.
Have you made a smaller batch of these in a square pan? Wondering about the measurements for that.
I have not made a smaller batch.
Hi, could I use dairy free yogurt in place of Greek yogurt?
I have not used a dairy free yogurt, so I do not know for sure how it would turn out. Let me know if you try it.
What type of Greek Yogurt do you suggest- plain,, vanilla – and do you suggest Greek rather than Regular yogurt because of its thicker consistency?
I use plain full fat Greek yogurt, and yes, I think the consistency of Greek yogurt works better for this recipe.
A flawlessly perfect recipe!!! Huge hit at our house!
Delicious! I used plain whole milk yogurt and frozen cranberries. Also reduced the sugar by half.