Cozy Cranberry, Orange & Pecan Oatmeal Bars Recipe

Sweet, crumbly bars with cranberry orange pecan oatmeal promise a delightful twist on classic breakfast treats.

Bursting with tangy fruit and nutty crunch, these bars deliver pure comfort in every bite.

Seasonal ingredients meld together, creating a symphony of warmth and texture.

Fragrant orange zest dances through the oatmeal base, while plump cranberries add vibrant color and brightness.

Toasted pecans scatter throughout, lending a rich, earthy undertone to each slice.

The harmonious blend of flavors makes these bars perfect for lazy weekend mornings or afternoon snacking.

You’ll want to savor every morsel of these irresistible homemade delights.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 12

Oatmeal Bar Ingredient Breakdown

• Rolled Oats: Hearty base that provides wonderful nutty texture and wholesome fiber for satisfying bars.
• All-Purpose Flour: Binding agent that creates structure and helps hold ingredients together smoothly.
• Baking Soda: Essential leavening agent that helps bars rise and become light and tender.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness in the recipe.

• Unsalted Butter: Rich, creamy foundation that adds luxurious moisture and deep flavor.
• Brown Sugar: Provides caramel-like sweetness and helps create soft, chewy texture.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that contributes gentle floral notes and helps bind ingredients.
• Egg: Crucial binding ingredient that adds structure and helps ingredients hold together.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, comforting background flavor that elevates the entire dessert.
• Orange Zest: Bright, citrusy component that introduces fresh, zinging flavor profile.

• Dried Cranberries: Tangy, jewel-like fruit that brings burst of color and tart sweetness.
• Chopped Pecans: Crunchy nuts that provide delightful textural contrast and rich, toasty flavor.
• Powdered Sugar: Optional finishing touch for creating smooth, sweet glaze.
• Orange Juice: Helps create silky glaze and reinforces citrus undertones.

Tools for Making Cranberry Pecan Bars

• Baking Dish (8×8-inch): Essential for creating perfectly shaped bars, lined with parchment paper for easy removal.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining dry ingredients like oats, flour, and salt.
• Medium Mixing Bowl: Ideal for whisking wet ingredients and creating smooth mixtures.
• Whisk: Great for blending ingredients thoroughly and eliminating lumps.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Spatula: Helpful for folding in cranberries and pecans, and spreading mixture evenly.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for cutting cooled bars into neat squares.
• Zester or Grater: Essential for creating fresh orange zest.
• Small Bowl: Used for preparing optional glaze.

How to Bake and Slice Them Without Crumbling

• Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 350F and get a baking dish ready by greasing it and lining with parchment paper.

• Create the Dry Base

Toss together oats, flour, baking soda, and a pinch of salt in a roomy mixing bowl.

• Whip Up the Liquid

Grab another bowl and blend melted butter, brown sugar, honey, egg, vanilla, and vibrant orange zest until silky smooth.

• Merge the Mixtures

Pour the liquid goodness into the dry ingredients and stir gently. Sprinkle in cranberries and pecans, folding them through the batter.

• Bake to Perfection

Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared pan. Slide into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the edges turn golden and a toothpick comes out clean.

• Dress with Optional Glaze

Once cooled, whisk powdered sugar and orange juice into a sweet drizzle. Paint the top of the bars with this zesty glaze.

• Slice and Enjoy

Cut into delectable squares and savor. These tasty treats will stay fresh in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Tips for Texture in Every Bite

• Add an extra tablespoon of honey or maple syrup to keep bars incredibly soft and prevent dryness during baking.
• Swap pecans with walnuts, almonds, or sunflower seeds for different flavor profiles and texture variations.
• Replace regular flour with gluten-free oat flour or almond flour to make these bars celiac-friendly without compromising taste.
• Substitute egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water) and use plant-based butter to create a completely vegan-friendly version.
• Experiment with different dried fruits like chopped dates, dried blueberries, or raisins to add unique flavor dimensions and nutritional variety.

Serve Bars for Breakfast or Snack Time

• Breakfast Bliss Plate: Pair these bars with a creamy Greek yogurt and sprinkle extra chopped pecans on top for a protein-packed morning boost.
• Afternoon Tea Companion: Serve alongside a warm cup of Earl Grey tea or herbal orange-infused tea to enhance the citrusy notes of the bars.
• Dessert Transformation: Crumble the bars over vanilla ice cream or use as a crunchy topping for a simple parfait, creating a delightful sweet treat.
• Gifting Goodness: Package these bars in cute parchment paper or small gift boxes for a homemade, heartwarming present that friends and family will adore.

Store Bars for Grab-and-Go Moments

• Keep these delightful bars in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain their perfect texture and prevent sticking. They'll stay scrumptious for 5-7 days at room temperature.
• Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container. These treats will maintain their delicious flavor for up to 3 months, ready for quick snacking or unexpected guests.
• Add a small piece of bread to the storage container to help retain softness and prevent the bars from drying out. Replace the bread slice every couple of days to keep the bars at their peak freshness.
• Slice the bars into individual portions before storing, making it super easy to pack lunches, enjoy quick breakfasts, or grab a tasty snack during busy days. Pre-portioning saves time and keeps portions consistent.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of nuts in this recipe?

Yes, you can easily swap pecans with walnuts, almonds, or other nuts you prefer. Just chop them to a similar size for even distribution in the bars.

• Is it possible to make these bars gluten-free?

Absolutely! Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or almond flour to make the recipe gluten-free.

• How do I know when the bars are perfectly baked?

The bars are done when the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. This typically takes 20-25 minutes in the oven.

• Can I reduce the sugar in this recipe?

You can slightly reduce the brown sugar or honey, but keep in mind it might affect the texture and sweetness of the bars. Consider using a natural sweetener like stevia as an alternative.

Wholesome Cranberry, Orange & Pecan Oatmeal Bars

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4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Cranberry, Orange & Pecan Oatmeal Bars blend sweet-tart fruit with nutty crunch in a wholesome dessert. Homemade goodness satisfies with layers of seasonal ingredients you’ll savor to the last delicious bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 cups (150 g) old-fashioned oats
• 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour (or whole wheat flour)
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup (120 g) unsalted butter, melted
• ¼ cup (60 ml) honey or maple syrup
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup (120 g) dried cranberries
• ½ cup (60 g) chopped pecans
• Zest of 1 orange
• ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
• 12 tbsps (180 ml) fresh orange juice

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper for effortless extraction.
2. Dry Mixture Creation: Combine oats, flour, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl, ensuring thorough blending of dry ingredients.
3. Wet Ingredient Fusion: Whisk melted butter, brown sugar, honey, egg, vanilla extract, and orange zest until achieving a harmonious, smooth consistency.
4. Batter Assembly: Gently fold wet and dry mixtures together, then delicately fold in dried cranberries and chopped pecans, maintaining a light touch to prevent overmixing.
5. Pan Distribution: Evenly spread the batter across the prepared baking dish, creating a uniform layer that promises consistent baking and texture.
6. Baking Process: Bake for 20-25 minutes, monitoring for golden-brown edges and confirming doneness with a clean toothpick test.
7. Cooling and Finishing: Allow bars to cool completely in the pan, then optionally drizzle with a glaze made from powdered sugar and orange juice.
8. Serving Preparation: Once fully cooled, slice into precise squares and store in an airtight container, maintaining freshness for up to 5 days.

Notes

• Measure Ingredients Precisely: Use standard measuring cups and spoons to ensure ingredient ratios remain consistent, which directly impacts texture and flavor balance.
• Control Moisture Carefully: Avoid overmixing batter to prevent dense, tough bars; mix just until ingredients combine to maintain a tender, soft crumb.
• Customize Nut Alternatives: Swap pecans with walnuts or almonds for different flavor profiles, ensuring similar chopped sizes for even distribution throughout the batter.
• Enhance Dietary Adaptations: Replace wheat flour with gluten-free flour blend, use coconut oil instead of butter, and select maple syrup as a honey substitute for alternative dietary needs.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 31 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg