Description
These Cranberry, Orange & Pecan Oatmeal Bars are soft, chewy, and packed with the zesty flavor of orange, the sweetness of cranberries, and the crunch of pecans. Perfect as a snack, breakfast on the go, or a holiday treat!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the bars:
- 1 1/2 cups (150 g) old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour (or whole wheat flour)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (120 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup (100 g) brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) honey or maple syrup
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1 cup (120 g) dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup (60 g) chopped pecans
For the glaze (optional):
- 1/2 cup (60 g) powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch (20×20 cm) baking dish and line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mix the dry ingredients:
- In a large bowl, combine the oats, flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Prepare the wet ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, honey (or maple syrup), egg, vanilla extract, and orange zest until smooth.
- Combine the mixtures:
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Fold in the dried cranberries and chopped pecans.
- Bake the bars:
- Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan.
- Prepare the glaze (optional):
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled bars.
- Cut and serve:
- Once the bars are cooled and the glaze is set, cut them into squares or rectangles. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Notes
- For a nut-free version, omit the pecans or replace them with sunflower seeds.
- Fresh or frozen cranberries can be used instead of dried cranberries for a more tart flavor; adjust the sugar accordingly.
- Add white chocolate chips for an extra sweet twist.