Thanksgiving is all about family, gratitude, and of course, the food. But let’s be honest, the pressure to create a memorable meal can be a lot. The turkey, the sides, the timing, it all adds up. The last thing you need is a complicated dessert that takes hours to prepare.
That is where this amazing recipe comes in. It is one of my favorite Thanksgiving desserts easy enough for anyone to make. These Apple Cranberry Crumble Bars have all the festive flavors of the season without any of the stress. They are simple, delicious, and look so pretty on a dessert table.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, the flavor is just incredible. You get the sweetness from the apples, a lovely tartness from the cranberries, and warm spices that just scream autumn. It is like a classic apple crisp and a holiday pie had a delicious baby. It’s one of those Thanksgiving baking recipes that smells as good as it tastes.
The texture is another huge win. The base is soft and buttery, the filling is tender and juicy, and the crumbly oat topping adds a wonderful crunch. Every single bite is a little bit of heaven. It is a real crowd pleaser.
Most importantly, this recipe is genuinely simple. There is no tricky pie crust to roll out or fancy decorating techniques. You just mix, press, and bake. It is a fantastic choice for beginner bakers or for anyone looking for simple Thanksgiving desserts.
You can also make them a day ahead. This frees up your oven and your time on the big day. Who doesn’t love a recipe that makes holiday prep easier? That is why these bars are a go to for Thanksgiving desserts.
Ingredients
Here is what you will need to gather for these wonderfully Thanksgiving desserts easy to make bars. The list might seem long, but the items are simple pantry staples.
For the Base and Topping
- 1 1/2 C + 1/4 C all purpose flour
- 1 ½ C regular oats
- ¾ C brown sugar
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ C butter, softened
For the Filling
- 4 C sliced apples
- 1 C fresh or frozen and thawed cranberries, chopped
- 1/2 C honey
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp allspice
For the Drizzle
- 3/4 C confectioner’s sugar
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 3 to 4 tsp milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Step By Step Instructions
Ready to get baking? Following these steps will give you a delicious tray of one of the best simple Thanksgiving desserts you have ever had. Let’s do this together.
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
First things first, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Getting the oven nice and hot is key. While it is heating up, grab your 9×13 inch baking dish and give it a good spray with some non stick cooking spray. This makes getting the bars out so much easier later on.
Step 2: Make the Crust and Topping Mixture
In a large bowl, you are going to stir together 1 1/2 cups of the flour, the oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Just give it a quick mix to combine everything. This will be the foundation for so many amazing Thanksgiving baking recipes.
Now it is time for the butter. Make sure it is softened, not melted. You will cut in the butter using a pastry blender, two knives, or even your fingertips. Keep going until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Little pea sized bits of butter are what you are aiming for.
Once it is crumbly, scoop out about 1 1/2 cups of this mixture and set it aside. This will be your topping. Press the rest of the mixture firmly into the bottom of your prepared baking dish. You can push it slightly up the sides too.
Now, go back to that reserved topping mixture. Stir in the remaining 1/4 cup of flour until it is well combined. This little extra flour helps the topping get extra crispy. Set that bowl aside for a few minutes.
Step 3: Mix the Apple Cranberry Filling
Grab another large bowl for the filling. It is time to make the heart of our Thanksgiving desserts easy recipe. Whisk together the sliced apples, chopped cranberries, honey, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Make sure everything is coated evenly.
The cornstarch is important because it helps thicken the juices from the fruit as it bakes. This prevents a soggy bottom crust. The combination of honey and spices will make your kitchen smell absolutely wonderful.
Now, spread this glorious apple mixture evenly over the top of the crust in your baking dish. Then, take the reserved oat mixture and sprinkle it all over the top of the fruit. This is what makes it one of those truly beautiful Thanksgiving desserts.
Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection
Carefully place your baking dish into the preheated oven. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes. You are looking for a filling that is bubbling and a topping that is a beautiful golden brown color. That bubbling tells you the filling is hot enough for the cornstarch to work its magic.
If the topping is getting brown but the filling is not bubbling yet, do not worry. Just loosely cover the top with a piece of aluminum foil and let it bake for another 5 to 10 minutes. This protects the topping while the filling finishes cooking.
Once it is done, remove it from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool for about 15 minutes. The wait is tough, I know. But it allows the bars to set up properly.
Step 5: Drizzle and Serve
While the bars are cooling, you can whip up the simple drizzle. In a small bowl, stir together the confectioner’s sugar, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and about 3 teaspoons of milk. Keep stirring until it is smooth.
If the glaze is too thick, add another teaspoon of milk until you reach the consistency you like. You want it thin enough to drizzle but not so thin that it just disappears. Once you are happy with it, drizzle it all over the slightly cooled bars.
Let the bars cool a bit more before cutting them into pieces. This helps them hold their shape. Then, you are ready to serve one of the most delightful Thanksgiving desserts easy recipes ever.
How To Store Leftovers
If you somehow end up with leftovers, storing them is simple. You can keep the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. The topping will stay relatively crisp this way.
For longer storage, you can place them in the refrigerator for up to five days. The topping might soften a little bit, but they will still be incredibly delicious. You can even enjoy them cold right out of the fridge or let them come to room temperature first.
Tips
Want to make these bars even better? Here are a few tips and tricks I have learned along the way. Little changes can make all your Thanksgiving baking recipes shine.
The type of apple you use can make a difference. I like to use a firm, tart apple like a Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. They hold their shape well during baking and their tartness balances the sweetness of the honey and brown sugar.
Do not skip chopping the cranberries. If you leave them whole, they can be a bit too tart in one bite. A rough chop helps distribute their flavor more evenly throughout the filling. It makes for a better eating experience.
For an extra treat, serve these bars warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream. It takes these simple Thanksgiving desserts to a whole new level of deliciousness. Honestly, it is so good.
If you want to get ahead, you can assemble the entire dish without baking it. Just cover it tightly and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time since it will be starting cold.
Conclusion
And there you have it. A recipe for one of the most delicious and straightforward Thanksgiving desserts you could ask for. These Apple Cranberry Crumble Bars are full of festive flavor, easy to assemble, and always a hit with family and friends.
This year, give yourself a break from the stress of complicated baking. Embrace the joy of creating something homemade and wonderful without spending all day in the kitchen. I hope you and your loved ones enjoy this wonderful example of Thanksgiving desserts easy to make.
FAQ
What Is the Best Apple for This Recipe?
Firm and tart apples work best. Varieties like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn are excellent choices. They hold up well to baking and provide a nice contrast to the sweet elements in the dish.
Can I Use a Different Fruit?
Absolutely. While the apple and cranberry combination is classic for thanksgiving desserts, you could experiment. Pears would be a lovely substitute for apples, or you could try a mix of berries instead of cranberries.
Can I Make This Recipe Gluten Free?
Yes, you can adapt this recipe. Use a good quality one to one gluten free baking flour blend in place of the all purpose flour. Also, make sure your oats are certified gluten free to avoid any cross contamination.
Do I Have to Use Fresh Cranberries?
Not at all. Frozen cranberries work perfectly fine in this recipe. Just make sure to thaw them and give them a rough chop before adding them to the filling mixture. There is no need to adjust other ingredients.
Apple Cranberry Crumble Bars
These Apple Cranberry Crumble Bars feature a soft, buttery base, a juicy apple and cranberry filling, and a crunchy oat topping. A simple and flavorful dessert, perfect for Thanksgiving or any autumn occasion.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, stir together 1 1/2 cups flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Cut in the softened butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Reserve 1 1/2 cups of the crumb mixture for the topping. Press the remaining mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared dish. Stir the remaining 1/4 cup of flour into the reserved topping mixture and set aside.
- In another bowl, whisk together the sliced apples, chopped cranberries, honey, cornstarch, 2 tsp cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice until evenly coated. Spread this filling over the crust.
- Sprinkle the reserved oat topping mixture evenly over the fruit filling.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly and the topping is golden brown. If the topping browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil.
- Let cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes. While cooling, stir together the confectioner’s sugar, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, vanilla, and 3-4 tsp of milk to create a smooth glaze. Drizzle over the warm bars.
- Allow the bars to cool further before cutting to help them set properly. Enjoy!
Notes
Use a firm, tart apple like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best results, as they hold their shape well during baking.
Chopping the cranberries helps distribute their tart flavor more evenly throughout the filling.
For an extra treat, serve these bars warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
You can assemble the bars ahead of time. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Nutrition
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