Cranberry Crumb Dream

Alright, friends, gather ’round because I’m about to spill the beans on my all-time favorite dessert that’s not just pie but pure joy — the Cranberry Crumb Dream. It’s sweet, tart, and completely irresistible. Picture this: juicy cranberries tucked under a cozy, crumbly topping. If that doesn’t get your tastebuds doing the tango, I don’t know what will. Perfect for holiday feasts or just because you want to impress without too much stress. Trust me, one bite and you’ll be hooked!
Now, let me tell you a little story that might just make you chuckle. So my husband and our little chaos crew are quite the dessert critics. On a whim one autumn evening, I whipped up this cranberry delight thinking maybe it would get a modest nod. But let me tell you, I was not prepared for their swooning! I mean, even the kids put down the video games and sniffed their way to the kitchen! Since then, it’s been a regular request — like, they literally chant “Cranberry Crumb Dream” when cranberries hit the store. Our home just isn’t the same without it now!
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Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Crumb Dream
– It’s like wrapping up in a cozy blanket on a winter night but for your mouth!
– Easier than pie… literally. Pie is way too high-maintenance for a Tuesday.
– Perfect for when the fruit bowl’s looking sparse — those cranberries won’t judge.
How to Make It
Okay, so here we go. Get your apron on, or not — I definitely don’t. Start by grabbing those cranberries and giving them a little rinse. They deserve a spa day before heading into the oven. Toss them in a bit of sugar, like they’re getting ready for a snowy night out, and sprinkle with flour to hold everything together. Now, let’s tackle the crumb topping — flour, sugar, butter… the holy trinity of dessert land. Use your hands if you want, I always do. Sure, it gets messy, but that’s all part of the fun! Layer it up in your pan and pop it into the oven. Let it do its magic while you daydream of how impressed everyone will be.
Ingredient Notes
– Cranberries: These little guys are the stars. Fresh is best but frozen can work in a pinch.
– Sugar: I always end up throwing in a smidge more than most recipes call for… a sugar rebel, if you will.
– Butter: Cold and cubed is the way to go; the messier you get, the better!
Recipe Steps
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Rinse cranberries and toss with sugar and flour.
3. Mix flour, sugar, and butter for the crumb topping.
4. Spread cranberries in a baking dish.
5. Sprinkle crumb topping evenly over cranberries.
6. Bake until golden and bubbly, about 45-50 minutes.
7. Cool slightly and serve!
What to Serve It With
Tips & Mistakes
Storage Tips
Leftovers? In this house, hardly ever. But if you’re lucky, just cover it and toss it in the fridge. Cold spoonfuls are surprisingly amazing for breakfast — don’t judge. You’ll think you’ve discovered a new food group.
Variations and Substitutions
So, sometimes life happens and cranberries are a no-show in the produce aisle. In times like these, I’ve swapped them for blueberries or even a mixed berry medley — bold and crazy but surprisingly tasty! Brown sugar fans, give it a shot instead of white for the crumb. Also, sneak some chopped nuts in there if you’ve got them lying around and feeling adventurous.

Cranberry Crumb Dream
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1.5 cups brown sugar packed
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter cold, cubed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8x8 inch baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, combine cranberries and granulated sugar. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
- Cut in the cold cubed butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Stir in vanilla extract.
- Press half of the crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Spread the cranberry mixture evenly over the crust layer.
- Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the cranberries.
- Bake for 40 minutes or until the topping is golden brown.
- Let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
Featured Comments
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“Made this last night and it was so flavorful. Loved how the creamy came together.”
“Made this last night and it was turned out amazing. Loved how the creamy came together.”
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