Irresistible Caramel Cranberry Pecan Crumb Bars: The Ultimate Holiday Treat
As the leaves begin to turn and the air grows crisp, there’s a certain magic that fills our kitchens, a longing for the comforting aromas of fall baking. For months, I’ve envisioned a dessert that perfectly encapsulates this feeling: a symphony of sweet, tart, and buttery goodness. And now, as the holiday season unfolds, my dream has come to life in these truly irresistible Caramel Cranberry Pecan Crumb Bars. They don’t just meet expectations; they soar beyond them, delivering a taste of pure autumnal bliss in every bite.
Imagine a rich, buttery shortbread-style crust, cradling a decadent layer of gooey caramel, bright bursts of fresh cranberries, and crunchy, earthy pecans. All of this is crowned with a delightful, golden crumb topping that adds an incredible texture and an extra hint of buttery richness. These bars are more than just a dessert; they are an invitation to cozy up, celebrate the season, and indulge in a treat that truly screams “holiday!” They make a fantastic, crowd-pleasing alternative to pumpkin pie or other traditional holiday desserts.
This recipe is sponsored by Challenge Butter.
The Inspiration: A Sweet, Tart, and Nutty Symphony
The culinary journey for these magnificent bars began with a beloved Thanksgiving classic: a cranberry, caramel, and hazelnut tart. That tart, with its intriguing blend of sweet caramel, bright tart cranberries, and earthy hazelnuts, always held a special place in my heart. While undoubtedly delicious, I found myself dreaming of a version that was even more approachable, with an irresistible texture that begged for another bite. And so, the concept of these crumb bars was born, retaining the phenomenal flavor combination while adding a delightful, rustic charm that makes them perfect for any gathering.
At first glance, the pairing of rich, sticky caramel with vibrant, sharp cranberries and robust pecans might seem unconventional. However, it’s precisely this interplay of contrasting flavors that makes these bars truly extraordinary. The deep sweetness of the caramel is beautifully balanced by the tangy pop of the cranberries, preventing the dessert from being overly rich. Then, the pecans introduce a warm, nutty undertone and a satisfying crunch, providing the perfect textural counterpoint to the soft caramel and tender crumb. Every single bite is a delightful explosion of sweet, salty, and wonderfully tart notes, creating a complex yet harmonious flavor profile that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
The Secret to Superior Taste: High-Quality Butter
While the combination of caramel, cranberries, and pecans is a star, the unsung hero of these crumb bars is undoubtedly the butter. In recipes where butter plays such a prominent role—forming the base of the crust and the crumble topping—its quality truly shines through and makes an enormous difference in the final flavor and texture. This isn’t a recipe to skimp on quality, and that’s precisely why I wholeheartedly recommend using a premium, all-natural butter like Challenge Butter.
Challenge Butter stands out because of its unwavering commitment to excellence. Made from fresh, real ingredients, their butter delivers a rich, creamy flavor that elevates these bars from delicious to truly exceptional. The superior taste of Challenge Butter provides the perfect foundation for our buttery crust and creates that melt-in-your-mouth crumb topping that is, quite frankly, everything. It’s an ingredient you can trust to bring out the very best in your baking, ensuring a superior dessert experience every time. When butter is a star ingredient, its purity and quality are paramount, and Challenge Butter consistently delivers. To find Challenge Butter at a store near you and taste the difference for yourself, click here.
Making these Caramel Cranberry Pecan Crumb Bars is a joy from start to finish. The process is straightforward, yielding impressive results that look as good as they taste. The crumb mixture acts as both the base and the topping, simplifying the preparation while maximizing that delicious buttery texture. Spreading the rich caramel over the base, then scattering the colorful cranberries and toasted pecans, builds anticipation for the layers of flavor to come. And that golden-brown finish from the oven? Pure perfection.
Baking Tip: The Parchment Paper Sling Method
For impeccably clean slices and effortless removal when baking bars, brownies, or quick breads in a square, rectangle, or loaf pan, a simple trick makes all the difference: line your pan with parchment paper, leaving a generous overhang on two opposite sides. This parchment paper “sling” serves a dual purpose: it prevents your delicious treats from sticking, and it allows you to easily lift the entire baked good out of the pan for perfect slicing on a cutting board.
Once baked, allow bars like these Caramel Cranberry Pecan beauties to cool completely within the pan. This ensures they firm up and become sturdy enough to handle without crumbling or buckling. For breads, a few minutes of cooling in the pan before transferring to a wire rack is ideal. But for these bars, patience is key! A fully cooled or even chilled bar will yield the cleanest, most professional-looking slices, eliminating any frustration of trying to dig out a piece from the pan and ensuring every portion looks picture-perfect. This method is a game-changer for any bar recipe!
Once cooled, these bars hold their shape beautifully, making them ideal for holiday dessert platters, potlucks, or gifting to friends and family. They keep wonderfully in the fridge for several days, meaning you can bake them in advance and enjoy them throughout the festive season. The balance of flavors only seems to deepen over time, making them a fantastic make-ahead option.
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Ingredients
Crust:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (360 grams)
- 1 cup packed light or dark brown sugar (213 grams)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup cold Challenge unsalted butter (170 grams), cubed
- 1 large egg , lightly beaten
Filling:
- 2 cups caramel sauce (about 600 grams), see Notes
- 1 ½ cups cranberries (150 grams), see Notes
- 1 cup pecans (113 grams)
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter. If desired, line with parchment paper for easy slicing later.
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In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.
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Add the cubed butter and use a pastry blender or your hands to work it into the dry ingredients, until the butter is the size of small peas. Work in the beaten egg.
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Press half of the crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
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Pour all of the caramel sauce over the crumb base, spreading it into an even layer. Top with the cranberries and pecans.
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Sprinkle remaining crumb mixture on top.
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Bake until topping is golden brown, 25-30 minutes. Let cool before slicing. For cleanest slices, chill completely in the fridge before slicing.
Notes
- You can use store-bought caramel sauce or you can make your own homemade caramel sauce. If you use store-bought, the higher quality the better (I like this brand). You’ll need about 1 and 1/2, 1-lb jars.
- You can use fresh or frozen cranberries. If using cranberries, thaw before using and strain to remove any liquid.
- Make ahead: these bars keep very well in the fridge. Bake them up to 5 days in advance!
Disclosure: This recipe was created in partnership with Challenge Dairy, Inc. as part of a long-term ambassadorship. Thank you for supporting partnerships with brands I love and believe in, which make Completely Delicious possible. All opinions are always 100% my own. To learn more about Challenge Dairy, you can visit their website here. You can also find them on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest.