Description
Delicious and tangy cranberry bars featuring a buttery crumb crust and a sweet-tart cranberry filling, perfect for holiday gatherings or a flavorful dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
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
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 and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Make Crust Dough: In a medium bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and blend with a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the beaten egg to form a crumbly dough.
- Form Crust: Press half of the dough firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to create the crust. Reserve the remaining dough for the topping.
- Prepare Cranberry Filling: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the cranberries, sugar, cornstarch, and water. Cook, stirring often, until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens to a jam-like consistency, about 5-7 minutes. Add the orange zest if using, and allow the filling to cool slightly.
- Assemble Bars: Spread the cranberry filling evenly over the crust layer in the pan. Crumble the reserved dough evenly over the cranberry filling as the topping.
- Bake: Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Cool and Serve: Let the bars cool completely in the pan. Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out before slicing into 12 servings.
Notes
- Use fresh or frozen cranberries depending on availability; frozen work well if thawed slightly before cooking.
- The orange zest is optional but adds a bright, citrus flavor that complements the cranberries.
- Ensure the butter is cold to create a crumbly dough texture for the crust and topping.
- Allowing the bars to cool fully helps the filling set for cleaner slices.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
