I love the sweet and tart flavor of cranberry and it’s a favorite on my Thanksgiving plate every year. What can you make with leftover cranberry sauce? Deliciousness! These Oatmeal Cranberry Bars have become a tradition in our home and it’s a great recipe for leftovers. They’ve got a buttery bottom crust, with a layer of cranberry sauce in the middle, then topped with a crunch streusel before baking. 

There are two different ways to make this recipe. You can use homemade cranberry sauce, like what you’d serve for Thanksgiving. Or you take the shortcut way and use store-bought cranberry sauce. In the Oatmeal Cranberry Bars recipe below, I show how to make it with store-bought.

You can do either one and it’s going to taste great. If fresh cranberries aren’t available to make a homemade sauce, definitely reach for the canned version and you won’t be disappointed.

The best part about these bars? Even my kids love them too. That says a lot since some of my kids won’t even try cranberries for Thanksgiving dinner. You can also get a head start on your holiday baking, for friends and family, starting with these bars.

Want even more great cranberry recipes? I’ve got you covered! My Cranberry Orange Quick Bread is favorite for mornings. Christmas Cranberry Coffee Cake is a decadent brunch recipe. Cranberry Chocolate Chip Macaroons make a wonderful holiday treat.

Easy Oatmeal Cranberry Bars Recipe (Streusel Topping)

There are two different steps to this recipe – baking the crust and then baking the rest to finish. If can certainly prep the recipe ahead of time by making the crust and letting it sit until you’re ready to bake the topping portion. I always like to mention this because I’m oftentimes the type of cook who has to break up my work. Kids keep me busy!

What To Serve With Oatmeal Cranberry Bars

Dessert and fresh coffee just go together for me. Whether you enjoy it in the morning or after dinner, is completely up to you – but coffee is so great with these. They almost have a coffee cake texture anyways. My kids love them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or iced cold milk.

How To Keep Leftovers Fresh Or Freeze The Bars

Our family enjoys these oatmeal cranberry bars within a few days and leftovers are rare. However, if you find yourself with leftovers you can store them in an air-tight container for 3-4 days. They don’t need to be refrigerated, but you can if you prefer to.

If you want to freeze the bars, wrap them in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Store them in your freezer for up to three months. Let them thaw to room temperature before enjoying again.

How To Easily Get Oatmeal Cranberry Bars Out Of Pan

Sometimes bars can be a frustrating dessert to make because they have more opportunity to stick to the edges of your baking pan. You don’t have to worry about bars that break or crumble apart, if you take precaution. Use parchment paper that’s slightly longer than the bottom of your pan.

You can then use the edges to pull the bars completely out of the pan. The other option is to use a non-stick cooking spray. Keeping the bars in the baking dish, and using the non-stick cooking spray, is slightly easier. It’s just not as versatile for plating options.

What You Need From The Grocery Store:

• Flour
• Unsalted Butter
• Granulated Sugar
• Oats
• Brown Sugar
• Cinnamon
• Cranberry Sauce

Step-By-Step Directions To Make Oatmeal Cranberry Bars

Preheat the oven to 350º. Line 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and coat with nonstick cooking spray.

To make crust, combine flour, butter and sugar in a bowl of food processor. Pulse 10 times or until texture resembles course sand. Pour into prepared baking pan and spread evenly.

Use bottom of a measuring cup to press firmly into the pan. Bake 20 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Cool completely.

Meanwhile, make stresusel topping by combining butter, flour, oats, brown sugar and cinnamon in bowl of food processor. Pulse 10 times or until well mixed.

Spread cranberry sauce evenly over crust, then top with streusel mixture.

Bake 20-25 minutes until sauce is bubbling and topping is golden brown. Cool before cutting into 12 bars. Serve immediately, refrigerate any leftovers.