If you’re searching for your next baking obsession, let me introduce you to Cranberry, Orange & Pecan Oatmeal Bars! These golden bars are bursting with tart cranberries, zesty orange, and crunchy pecans all nestled in a chewy oatmeal base. Every bite brings a little sunshine to your day, whether you’re having them for breakfast, a quick snack, or dessert. Trust me, once you experience that first sweet, nutty, citrusy mouthful, these bars will be on regular rotation in your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best things about Cranberry, Orange & Pecan Oatmeal Bars is how they use staple pantry ingredients, each adding its own magic to the finished treat. Here’s what you’ll need, and why it matters:
- Rolled oats: The heart of these bars, rolled oats provide that classic chewy texture and nutty flavor.
- All-purpose flour: Helps bind the bars together, giving just the right amount of structure.
- Baking soda: Just a pinch ensures the bars rise gently with a soft, tender crumb.
- Salt: A tiny bit really helps balance the sweetness and wake up all the other flavors.
- Unsalted butter, melted: Adds richness and moisture so the bars aren’t dry.
- Honey or maple syrup: Naturally sweetens and brings that lovely, slightly sticky texture.
- Brown sugar: Deepens the sweetness with a warm, caramel-like touch.
- Egg: Acts as the all-important binder, holding everything together effortlessly.
- Vanilla extract: Adds an inviting aroma and smooth background flavor.
- Orange zest: This is the zingy secret ingredient that brightens up each bite!
- Dried cranberries: Bursts of tang and jewel-like pops of color make these bars irresistible.
- Chopped pecans: Add a gorgeous crunch and buttery, nutty flavor throughout.
How to Make Cranberry, Orange & Pecan Oatmeal Bars
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
First things first! Preheat your oven to 350°F and line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Give yourself enough of an overhang so you can lift the bars out easily — trust me, this little trick makes life so much easier when it’s time to slice.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir everything together to distribute the leavening and seasoning evenly — this means fewer lumps and more consistent results in your Cranberry, Orange & Pecan Oatmeal Bars.
Step 3: Whisk Up the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, honey (or maple syrup), brown sugar, egg, vanilla extract, and orange zest. Take a moment to appreciate how fragrant the citrus makes everything! Whisk until the mixture is completely smooth and glossy.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Now, pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry. Grab a sturdy spoon or spatula and mix until the oats are coated and the mixture looks thick and unified. Try not to over-mix; just until there are no streaks of flour left.
Step 5: Fold in Cranberries and Pecans
Gently fold in the dried cranberries and chopped pecans. This is where your bars come alive with sweet-tart bites of cranberry and the nutty crunch of pecans.
Step 6: Press and Bake
Transfer the mixture to your prepared pan and use the back of your spatula (or even your clean hands) to press it into an even layer. Pressing ensures the bars hold together well after baking. Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the edges turn golden and the center feels set.
Step 7: Cool and Slice
Once baked, allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. This patience pays off — cutting them too soon can leave you with crumbles instead of neat squares. Once cool, lift out the slab with your parchment and cut into 12 bars.
How to Serve Cranberry, Orange & Pecan Oatmeal Bars
Garnishes
You can keep things classic with a dusting of powdered sugar, or take these bars over the top by drizzling them with a simple orange glaze. For even more oomph, a little extra orange zest on top really brings out that citrus zing.
Side Dishes
Pair a bar (or two!) with creamy Greek yogurt for a balanced breakfast, or serve alongside a steaming cup of coffee or tea as a cozy afternoon pick-me-up. If you’re entertaining, a platter of fresh fruit next to the bars makes a gorgeous statement.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack the Cranberry, Orange & Pecan Oatmeal Bars on a cake stand for a rustic dessert table, or wrap them individually in parchment and twine for charming lunchbox treats. They also make irresistible homemade gifts — just tuck a few into a pretty tin or box for friends and family!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Cranberry, Orange & Pecan Oatmeal Bars tasting fresh, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you prefer them a bit firmer, they also hold up beautifully in the fridge, where they’ll stay delicious for up to a week.
Freezing
These bars are freezer-friendly! Once they’ve cooled and been cut, layer them between sheets of parchment in a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep well for up to 3 months. When a craving strikes, just thaw at room temperature.
Reheating
If you enjoy a warm, gooey bar (who doesn’t?), pop one in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. The cranberries plump up and the oats become extra tender — it’s as if they were freshly baked!
FAQs
Can I substitute walnuts for pecans?
Absolutely! Walnuts are a great alternative and add their own earthy richness to the bars. You can use them in equal amounts for a slightly different, but equally wonderful, flavor and crunch.
What’s the best way to zest an orange for these bars?
Use a microplane or the fine side of a box grater to zest only the bright orange skin, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath. One large orange should yield about a tablespoon — the perfect punch of citrus.
Do these bars work with quick oats instead of rolled oats?
Rolled oats give the Cranberry, Orange & Pecan Oatmeal Bars their signature texture, but in a pinch, you can use quick oats. The bars may be a little softer and less chewy, but still delicious.
How do I make the optional orange glaze?
Mix 1/2 cup powdered sugar with just enough orange juice (about 1 to 2 teaspoons) until smooth and pourable. Drizzle over cooled bars for a sweet, glossy finish that complements the citrus perfectly.
Can I make these bars vegan?
Yes, simply swap the butter for coconut oil or vegan buttery spread, use maple syrup instead of honey, and replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water). The bars will be just as irresistible!
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready for an easy treat that’s equal parts comforting and exciting, give these Cranberry, Orange & Pecan Oatmeal Bars a try. I’m certain they’ll earn a permanent spot in your recipe collection, just like they did in mine — enjoy every last crumb!
Print
Cranberry, Orange & Pecan Oatmeal Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Cranberry, Orange & Pecan Oatmeal Bars are a delightful mix of flavors and textures in a wholesome snack or dessert. The chewy oats pair perfectly with the tart cranberries, zesty orange, and crunchy pecans.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
Mix-Ins:
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk melted butter, honey/maple syrup, brown sugar, egg, vanilla extract, and orange zest.
- Combine: Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients until fully combined. Fold in cranberries and pecans.
- Bake: Spread mixture in the baking dish, press gently, and bake for 25-30 minutes until set.
- Cool and Serve: Allow to cool before cutting into bars.
Notes
- For a softer texture, slightly reduce baking time.
- Optional: Drizzle with a simple orange glaze made from powdered sugar and orange juice for added sweetness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Snack, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
