Oatmeal Cranberry Bars {Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Option}
Super easy gluten-free cranberry oatmeal bars are a combination of sweet and tart with an oatmeal cookie drizzled with vanilla orange glaze. Recipe with a dairy-free option.
- Prep time
- 20 min
- Cook time
- 30 min
- Yield
- 18 servings
- Difficulty
- HARD
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 1 12oz package cranberries
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons orange juice (or water)
- 1/4 teaspoon dried orange peel (or orange zest) ((optional))
- 2 cups gluten-free quick oats (I like Bob's Red Mill)
- 2 cups all-purpose gluten-free flour (I like Pillsbury gluten-free)
- 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum ( ,leave out if your flour already has it in it)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup butter (melted (Earth Balance or Smart Balance for dairy-free))
- 1 8oz package chopped sugared dates
- 1 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 salt
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons orange juice or milk ((I used almond milk))
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon dried orange peel (or orange zest) ((optional))
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 350° F. Spray a 9x13 glass pan with gluten-free cooking spray.
- 2
Place the cranberries, dates and orange juice (or water) and dried orange peel (optional) in a saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until berries pop, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 3
Remove from heat; stir in the pure vanilla extract.
- 4
Mix all-purpose gluten-free flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt until fully combined. Stir in melted butter, until the mixture is nice and crumbly.
- 5
Press half of the oat mixture into a greased baking pan. Bake 8 minutes.
- 6
Spoon cranberry mixture over baked crust bottom. Smooth with the back of a spoon or spatula.
- 7
Sprinkle with remaining oat mixture and pat down gently.
- 8
Bake until golden brown, 25-30 minutes.
- 9
Glaze
- 10
In a small bowl combine the glaze ingredients and stir until it's nice and smooth.
- 11
Drizzle with the glaze. Cool completely and cut into bars. Enjoy!
- 12
Cover bars with plastic wrap, foil or store in an air-tight container. These are even better the second day.