- Sweet apples and bright red tart cranberries offer sweet-tart flavor and vibrant color perfect for the holidays.
- These fiber-filled bars are loaded in antioxidants and immunity-supporting ingredients thanks to the cranberries, apples and orange juice.
- These bars can be made ahead and are easily transportable to cookie swaps and parties.
These Cranberry-Apple Streusel Bars are the perfect handheld dessert for gatherings. Fiber-rich apples mingle with antioxidant-packed cranberries for a jewel-toned layer that’s as eye-catching as it is flavorful, offering just the right mix of cozy flavors and bright tang. They’re easy to slice and share, making them an ideal choice for holiday cookie swaps or any gathering where a crowd-pleasing dessert is needed. Best of all, they can be made a day or two ahead, making them a stress-free option when your holiday to-do list is long. Read on below for tips and tricks for making these beautiful, tasty bars!
Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen
These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!
- Gala apples offer natural sweetness and softer texture, but if you like more tartness and texture, mix in a Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
- Using frozen cranberries? There’s no need to thaw them first. They can go straight from the freezer to the mixing bowl.
- Toss the fruit thoroughly with the cornstarch so it’s evenly coated. This prevents pockets of runny juice after baking.
Nutrition Notes
- Cranberries are rich in vitamins A, C and K, along with antioxidants like anthocyanins that are known for their anti-inflammatory benefits. Cranberries also have antibacterial properties that can help fight off infections, support your gut microbiome and may even promote dental health.
- Apples contain both soluble and insoluble fiber that can promote gut and heart health. Thanks to their high fiber content, apples have also been linked to better blood sugar levels and may help maintain a healthy weight. Keeping the skins on the apples in this recipe helps elevate their nutritional value.
- Orange juice may be lacking in fiber compared to a whole orange, but the juice itself provides a lot of nutritional benefits, thanks to vitamin C that can help support immunity and potassium and folate, which may help improve heart health. Orange juice, along with orange zest, also supplies anti-inflammatory antioxidants like carotenoids and polyphenols.
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower.
