Grain Free Cranberry Orange Strudel Bars are a delight to make and eat! I can hardly stop at eating just one. They do go nicely with a hot cup of chamomile & lavender tea (or your favorite tea.)
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I am always fascinated with the nutrition of food and how our bodies benefit. When you need another special recipe for the holidays, check out
Grain Free Cranberry Orange Strudel Bars can be prepared and enjoyed any time of year. However, in Michigan, fresh cranberries and oranges are easier to find in the grocery stores in mid-Fall and early winter.
Once the cranberries begin to simmer in the orange juice and orange zest, it will fill your kitchen with incredibly warm comforting smells!
It’s a great time of year to incorporate foods we haven’t enjoyed in a while, like cranberries and oranges. The health benefits for us are truly impressive.
The Benefits of Cranberries
Cranberries have an impressive list of benefits!
These tart little berries are good for our bodies! They only grow in certain parts of the United States. The coast of Massachusetts has the perfect setting for growing cranberries. Wisconsin provides more than half the cranberries sold in our country.
Health benefits of consuming cranberries are many!
- Cranberries aid in our digestion.
- Packed with antioxidants (even more than spinach and green tea!)
- Low-sugar fruit; 4 grams in 1 cup of berries
- They give our immune system a boost, due to their vitamin C content.
- Are known for preventing urinary tract & kidney infections.
- Support a healthy heart.
Benefits of Orange & Orange Zest
The juice of an orange contains vitamin C, which our body uses to boost our immunity and reduce inflammation.
The zest or peel of an orange contains vitamin A, folate, calcium, magnesium, and its loaded with flavonoids. Lastly they contain anti-inflammatory properties. For more information on the numerous benefits of orange peel, visit Why Eating Organic Orange Peel is Good for your Health.
Grain Free Cranberry Orange Strudel Bars
Bake in a glass 8″ x 8″ baking dish lined with unbleached parchment paper.
Easy Amazon Link: Anchor Hocking 8-inch Square Glass Baking Dish with Airtight TrueFit Lid, Teal, Set of 1
FREE Printable Recipe
Grain Free Cranberry Orange Strudel Bars
Ingredients
- 2 c. fresh organic cranberries Filling
- 1/2 c. freshly squeezed orange (1 orange) Filling
- 1/4 c. water Filling
- 2 T. maple syrup Filling
- 1 T. orange zest Filling
- 1 tsp. ground organic cinnamon Filling
- 1/2 c. coconut sugar Crumble
- 1/2 c. salted organic butter Crumble
- 1/2 c. coconut flour Crumble
- 1/2 c. arrowroot flour Crumble
- 1 large free range egg Crumble
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract Crumble
- 1 tsp. coconut sugar Sprinkle
Instructions
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Line a square baking dish with unbleached parchment paper. Preheat your oven to 350°.
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In a large saucepan, add the cranberries, fresh orange juice, maple syrup, orange zest and water. On low heat, simmer for 10-12 minutes. The mixture will thicken. Stir occasionally.
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In a food processor, make the crumb bottom & top. Add coconut sugar, butter (cut into 1 T. size pieces), vanilla extract, sea salt, coconut flour and arrowroot flour. Pulse until blended.
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Add one large egg. Pulse until mixture becomes large clumps. Stop pulsing. Remove the crumb mixture from the food processor. Set aside 1 heaping cup of crumbs for the top.
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Take the remaining crumbs and evenly pat into the parchment paper lines baking dish.
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OPTIONAL: Take your thickened cranberry mixture and place in the food processor or a blender until smooth. You do NOT have to do this, you can use a hand masher instead.
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Pour cranberry mixture on top of the bottom crumb layer in the baking dish. Spread until evenly distributed.
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Take the crumb mixture you set aside and sprinkle over the cranberry mixture.
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Bake for 18-20 minutes. The top will become light brown. Remove from the oven to a cooling rack.
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Cool on a rack and then place in the refrigerator. Refrigerating will make the bars stay together and come out nicely.
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Once cool, cut into 12 squares with a sharp knife.
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OPTIONAL: Serve with dairy free ice cream. We have had it with and without ice cream and they are delicious either way.
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Store any leftover bars in the refrigerator.
Easy Amazon Link: If You Care Parchment Baking Paper – 70 Sq Ft Roll – Unbleached, Chlorine Free, Greaseproof, Silicone Coated – Standard Size – Fits 13 Inch Pans
Where to Find the Ingredients?
Your local grocery store or whole grocer should have fresh organic cranberries and oranges. The best prices for coconut sugar, vanilla extract, coconut flour and arrowroot flour can be found online at Thrive Market.
Do you need a square baking dish? Check out this one from Amazon: Anchor Hocking 8-InchSquare Glass Baking Dish with Teal TrueFit Lid
Cool and cut bars into 9-12 squares, depending on how big you want your bars. The one in the above picture is from a 9 square batch. Store the bars in the refrigerator.
Enjoy your Cranberry Orange Strudel Bars!
Cranberries have a short season. In United States they are usually available mid-September until the end or November. When I begin seeing them in the stores, I grab a bag and begin baking!
I hope you enjoy this grain free dessert packed with nutrients! Our bars lasted approximately a day and in a half. It’s time for me to bake one more batch with fresh cranberries.
Pursing Better Health Together,