Description
These Cranberry White Chocolate Oatmeal Bars combine chewy oats with sweet white chocolate and tart dried cranberries, all layered between a buttery base and creamy filling. Perfectly sweet and textured, these bars make a delightful treat for dessert or an afternoon snack, delivering a balance of flavors and a satisfying bite.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Base:
- â…” cup butter, softened
- â…“ cup brown sugar
- ¾ cup white sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- pinch of salt
- 1 ¾ cups rolled oats
For the Filling:
- ¾ cup evaporated milk
- â…“ cup butter
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cups white chocolate chips
- â…“ cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Prepare the Base: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, cream together ⅔ cup softened butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth and fluffy. Beat in the egg until well combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and rolled oats. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until a uniform dough forms. Press this dough evenly into a greased or parchment-lined baking pan to form the base layer.
- Make the Filling: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the evaporated milk, ⅓ cup butter, and ¼ cup sugar. Bring to a gentle boil while stirring constantly, then reduce heat and simmer for about 3-4 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Allow the mixture to cool slightly before folding in the white chocolate chips and dried cranberries.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the white chocolate and cranberry filling evenly over the oat base in the baking pan, spreading carefully with a spatula to cover the surface. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the filling is set. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the pan before cutting into 12 bars.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter to ensure smooth creaming in the base.
- Do not overbake; the bars should be set but still soft in the middle.
- For extra texture, you can add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the base or filling.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- These bars can be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw before serving.
