Cranberry Oat Cream Cheese Delight Bars
These Cranberry Oat Cream Cheese Delight Bars combine a buttery oat crust with a rich cream cheese filling and a tart cranberry layer. Perfect for holiday gatherings or as a sweet treat anytime, these bars are both delicious and visually appealing. The contrast of the creamy layer with the sweet-and-sour cranberry topping makes every bite a delightful experience. Serve them at parties, potlucks, or enjoy them as a special snack at home with family and friends.
36
Servings
120
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
flour
2 cups (sifted)
oats
1.5 cups (rolled)
brown sugar
3/4 cup (packed)
brown sugar
1 tablespoon (for topping)
butter
1 cup (softened)
cream cheese
8 ounces (softened)
sweetened condensed milk
1 can (14 ounces) (do not dilute)
ReaLemon juice
1/4 cup (fresh or bottled)
whole berry cranberry sauce
1 can (16 ounces) (stirred slightly)
cornstarch
2 tablespoons (for thickening)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large mixing bowl, use a mixer to combine the flour, oats, 3/4 cup of brown sugar, and softened butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3
Set aside 1 1/2 cups of the crumb mixture for topping later. Press the remaining mixture into the bottom of a greased 13x9-inch pan to form an even crust.
4
Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, until just lightly browned.
5
While the crust bakes, beat the softened cream cheese in a separate mixing bowl until fluffy and smooth. Gradually mix in the sweetened condensed milk until well combined.
6
Stir in the ReaLemon juice into the cream cheese mixture. Once combined, pour the cream cheese filling over the pre-baked crust, spreading it out evenly.
7
In another bowl, combine the cranberry sauce, cornstarch, and 1 tablespoon of brown sugar. Stir until well mixed and then spoon this layer over the cream cheese filling.
8
Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture evenly on top of the cranberry layer.
9
Return the pan to the oven and bake for about 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
10
Once baked, remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely before cutting into squares. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
7g
Fat
14.6g
Carbs
1g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Cranberry Oat Cream Cheese Delight Bars?
They are dessert bars featuring a buttery oat crust, a rich cream cheese filling, and a tart cranberry layer, perfect for holidays or sweet treats.
What oven temperature is required for baking these bars?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 36 servings.
What ingredients are needed for the oat crust mixture?
The crust mixture requires flour, rolled oats, packed brown sugar, and softened butter.
How much flour is used in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of sifted flour.
What type of oats should be used?
The recipe specifies 1.5 cups of rolled oats.
How much brown sugar is used in the crust?
3/4 cup of packed brown sugar is used for the crust and topping mixture.
How much butter is required?
The recipe requires 1 cup of softened butter.
What size baking pan is needed?
A greased 13x9-inch pan is required.
How long should the crust be pre-baked?
The crust should be baked for 15 minutes until just lightly browned.
How much cream cheese is used in the filling?
The recipe uses 8 ounces of softened cream cheese.
What is mixed with the cream cheese for the filling?
The cream cheese is mixed with one 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk and 1/4 cup of ReaLemon juice.
Should the sweetened condensed milk be diluted?
No, you should use the sweetened condensed milk without diluting it.
What type of cranberry sauce is used for the topping?
One 16-ounce can of whole berry cranberry sauce is used.
How is the cranberry layer prepared?
Combine the cranberry sauce with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of brown sugar.
Why is cornstarch added to the cranberry sauce?
Cornstarch is added to the cranberry layer for thickening.
How much crumb mixture should be reserved for the topping?
Set aside 1 1/2 cups of the crumb mixture to sprinkle on top.
What is the final baking time for the bars?
The bars should be baked for about 45 minutes until the top is golden brown.
How should the bars be handled after baking?
Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting them into squares.
How many calories are in a single bar?
Each serving contains approximately 120 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each bar contains 7 grams of fat.
What is the carbohydrate content per serving?
Each bar contains 14.6 grams of carbohydrates.
How much protein is in one serving?
Each bar provides 1 gram of protein.
Is there any fiber in these bars?
According to the nutritional data provided, the fiber content is null.
Can I use fresh lemon juice?
Yes, you can use either fresh or bottled ReaLemon juice.
What is the texture of the crust and topping mixture?
The mixture of flour, oats, sugar, and butter should resemble coarse crumbs.
How is the cream cheese filling layered?
The cream cheese filling is poured over the pre-baked crust and spread evenly.
Is brown sugar used in more than one step?
Yes, it is used in the oat crumb mixture and also in the cranberry layer.
What provides the sour flavor in the topping?
The tartness comes from the whole berry cranberry sauce combined with lemon juice in the filling.
Are these bars suitable for parties?
Yes, they are described as being perfect for parties, potlucks, and holiday gatherings.