Description
These Cranberry Bars are a festive, sweet, and tart dessert made with a buttery crust, vibrant cranberry filling, and crumbly topping. Perfect for holiday gatherings, this easy-to-make recipe combines fresh cranberries, a hint of orange zest, and a delicious crumble for a crowd-pleasing treat.
Ingredients
For the Crust and Topping:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
1 large egg, lightly beaten
For the Cranberry Filling:
2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup water
Zest of 1 orange (optional, for extra flavor)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- In a medium bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and blend with a pastry cutter or fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the beaten egg to form a crumbly dough.
- Press half of the dough firmly into the bottom of the pan to create the crust. Reserve the remaining dough for the topping.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the cranberries, sugar, cornstarch, and water. Cook, stirring often, until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens (5-7 minutes). Add orange zest, if desired, and allow the filling to cool slightly.
- Spread the cranberry filling evenly over the crust. Crumble the reserved dough over the cranberry layer.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden and the filling is bubbly. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before lifting out and slicing.
Notes
Use fresh or frozen cranberries; just thaw frozen cranberries beforehand.
Adding orange zest enhances the cranberry flavor, giving the bars a bright, citrusy taste.
Allow bars to cool fully for easy slicing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12 bars
- Calories: 180 kcal