Description
These Cranberry Bog Bars are a delightful treat featuring a crumbly oat and flour crust layered with tangy whole berry cranberry sauce, sweetened condensed milk, and crunchy nuts. Perfectly baked to golden perfection, they make a festive and flavorful dessert or snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Base and Topping
- 1 ½ cups quick oats
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ cup butter, melted
Filling
- 1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 ½ cups whole berry cranberry sauce
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine quick oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, and baking soda. Stir well to evenly distribute all dry ingredients.
- Add Butter: Pour the melted butter into the dry mixture and stir until it forms a crumbly texture suitable for pressing into the pan.
- Form Base Layer: Press half of the oat mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan, creating the crust for the bars.
- Add Cranberry and Condensed Milk Layers: Spread the whole berry cranberry sauce evenly over the oat base, then drizzle the sweetened condensed milk evenly on top of the cranberry layer for a creamy sweetness.
- Top with Nuts and Remaining Mixture: Sprinkle the chopped walnuts or pecans over the cranberry and condensed milk layer, then crumble the remaining oat mixture over the top, covering all layers.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the bars are set.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares for serving.
Notes
- For a nut-free version, omit the nuts or substitute with seeds such as sunflower or pumpkin seeds.
- Use fresh cranberry sauce if preferred; just be sure it is thick enough to spread evenly.
- If you like a crunchier texture, toast the nuts lightly before adding.
- Make sure bars are fully cooled before cutting to prevent crumbling.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (approximately)
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
