Welcome to lovewithrecipes.com, where we bring you delightful culinary creations! Today, we’re diving into the world of irresistible desserts with our heavenly Cranberry Crumb Squares recipe—a perfect blend of tart cranberries, creamy cheese, and buttery crumbly goodness. 🍇🧀✨
Cranberry Crumb Squares Recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour and 5 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Servings: 24 squares
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup butter (softened)
- 1/3 cup icing sugar
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 3/4 cup brown sugar (divided)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 cup cranberry sauce
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cold butter
- 3/4 cup walnuts (chopped)
Instructions:
-
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
-
Prepare Crust: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and icing sugar until delightfully fluffy. Gradually stir in 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour until a heavenly dough forms.
-
Press and Bake: Press the dough onto the bottom of a 13 x 9-inch baking pan, creating a deliciously buttery foundation. Bake for about 15 minutes or until the edges turn a tempting shade of golden brown.
-
Cheesy Creaminess: Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F (160 degrees C). In a large mixer bowl, beat the cream cheese until it achieves a state of fluffy perfection. Gradually beat in the sweetened condensed milk until smooth, then stir in the lemon juice. Pour this creamy concoction over the prepared crust.
-
Cranberry Magic: In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of brown sugar and cornstarch, mixing them into a magical blend. Stir in the cranberry sauce, creating a vibrant and tangy mixture. Spoon this cranberry delight evenly over the luscious cream cheese layer.
-
Crumbly Crown: In a separate medium mixing bowl, combine the remaining brown sugar and 1/3 cup of flour. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture takes on the appearance of coarse crumbs. Stir in the chopped walnuts, adding a delightful crunch to your crumbly crown.
-
Top and Bake: Sprinkle this crumbly walnut goodness evenly over the cranberry mixture, creating a tantalizing mosaic of textures. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until the Cranberry Crumb Squares are bubbly and adorned with a golden hue.
-
Cool and Serve: Allow your kitchen to be filled with the tempting aroma as the squares bake to perfection. Once done, let them cool to room temperature. These squares are versatile—serve them warm for a comforting experience or chill them for a refreshing twist.
-
Storage: Don’t worry about leftovers! Cover the squares and refrigerate to maintain their delightful freshness.
Indulge in the perfect balance of sweet, tart, and creamy with our Cranberry Crumb Squares. This recipe is not just a treat for your taste buds, but a masterpiece that’s sure to make you the star of your next gathering. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and let’s create culinary magic together! 🌟🍰✨
