Of course! It’s clear this recipe is a cherished part of your holiday tradition. Here is a beautifully formatted, large-scale recipe worthy of such a beloved bar, complete with all the elements you requested.
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A Christmas Tradition: The Ultimate Chewy Cranberry Oat Bar
Introduction
Welcome to a piece of my Christmas heart! This recipe is for my most requested and popular treat—a bar that perfectly balances chewy, sweet, and tart flavors in every bite. I call it my “Christmas Jewel Bar” because the cranberries glisten like little rubies against the golden oat base. It’s a recipe born out of necessity for something that could be made in huge batches, travel well, and please absolutely everyone. The simplicity is its genius; with no fancy techniques or hard-to-find ingredients, it allows the wholesome, festive flavors to shine. Making at least 500 of these each year isn’t just baking; it’s a ritual that fills the house with the warm, buttery scent of the holidays.
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The Grand Recipe: Yields 120 Bars (One Full-Sheet Pan)
Ingredients
For the Oat Base and Topping:
· 6 cups (1.5 lbs / 680g) All-Purpose Flour
· 12 cups (2.25 lbs / 1 kg) Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats
· 3 tablespoons Baking Soda
· 1 tablespoon Salt
· 3 cups (6 sticks / 1.5 lbs / 680g) Unsalted Butter, softened
· 6 cups (2.25 lbs / 1 kg) Light Brown Sugar, packed
· 4 large Eggs
· 2 tablespoons Vanilla Extract
For the Filling:
· 8 cups (2 x 12oz bags / 1 kg) Fresh or Frozen Cranberries
· 4 cups (1.5 lbs / 680g) Granulated Sugar
· 2 cups Water
· 2 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
· 1 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
· 1 cup Chopped Walnuts or Pecans (optional)
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Instructions & Method
Step 1: Prepare the Cranberry Filling
This step can be done a day ahead to save time.
1. In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, combine the cranberries, granulated sugar, and water.
2. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
3. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 10-15 minutes, until the cranberries have burst and the mixture has thickened to a jam-like consistency.
4. Stir in the cinnamon and nutmeg. Remove from heat and let it cool completely. It will thicken further as it cools. (Stir in nuts now if using).
Step 2: Make the Oat Mixture
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a full-size 18″x26″ sheet pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. In an extremely large bowl (or divide the ingredients between two very large bowls), whisk together the flour, rolled oats, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
4. Gradually add the dry oat mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined. The mixture will be very thick and crumbly—this is perfect.
Step 3: Assemble the Bars (The Formation)
1. Press approximately two-thirds (about 2/3) of the oat mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared sheet pan. Use the bottom of a measuring cup to press it down firmly; this creates a solid base.
2. Spread the cooled cranberry filling evenly over the crust.
3. Take the remaining one-third (about 1/3) of the oat mixture and crumble it evenly over the cranberry layer. Do not press it down.
Step 4: Bake and Cool
1. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly around the edges.
2. This is the most important step for perfect bars: Allow the pan to cool completely on a wire rack. This can take a few hours. For the cleanest cuts, I often chill the entire pan in the refrigerator for an hour after it has cooled to room temperature.
Step 5: Slice and Serve
1. Once completely cool, turn the large slab of bars out onto a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut it into a grid. I typically cut 10 rows by 12 rows to get 120 small, perfect, two-bite bars.
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A Slice of History
The fruit and oat bar is a descendant of much older recipes like British flapjacks and date squares (or “matrimonial bars”). These were practical recipes designed to create filling, long-lasting snacks from pantry staples. The American innovation was often the addition of a fruit jam or fresh fruit layer, transforming it into a handheld dessert. This cranberry version is a distinctly North American twist, celebrating a native fruit that has become synonymous with winter and Thanksgiving feasts, making it a natural fit for Christmas baking.
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Nutrition & Benefits
While this is a dessert, it offers more than just empty calories:
· Cranberries: These little berries are packed with antioxidants and Vitamin C, and are renowned for supporting urinary tract health.
· Oats: A fantastic source of soluble fiber (beta-glucan), which helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels and promotes a feeling of fullness, preventing overindulgence.
· Walnuts/Pecans: If added, these provide healthy fats, protein, and essential minerals like manganese.
· Mindful Indulgence: Because they are so rich and flavorful, a small bar is deeply satisfying, helping with portion control during a season of excess.
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For the True Lovers of This Bar
The beauty of this recipe is its versatility. True lovers can customize it to their heart’s content:
· The Fruit Lover: Substitute the cranberry filling with raspberry jam, apple pie filling, or a cherry pie filling.
· The Chocolate Devotee: Add 2 cups of chocolate chips to the oat mixture, or drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled bars.
· The Nut Enthusiast: Use almond extract instead of vanilla and add sliced almonds to the topping.
· The Spice Seeker: Add a pinch of cloves or cardamom to the cranberry filling for an extra warm spice kick.
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Conclusion
This Cranberry Oat Bar is more than a recipe; it’s a testament to the joy of sharing. Its simple method yields a complex-tasting treat that feels both wholesome and indulgent. It’s a bar built for giving, for packing into tins, for leaving on a plate for Santa, and for enjoying with a cup of coffee amid the chaos and joy of the season. The fact that you make 500 of them is a beautiful tradition that undoubtedly brings as much happiness to you, the baker, as it does to everyone who receives them. May this big batch recipe continue to fill your Christmases with flavor and love for many years to come. Happy Baking