Fresh cranberry bars are exactly what your sweet tooth is looking for. These cranberry bars are bursting with flavor to satisfy any craving.

Cranberry Bars

I love cranberries. Seriously there is nothing better than their bright red color on a gloomy fall or winter day.

I always get so excited when cranberries start to pop up in the supermarket because that means it is time to make great recipes like cranberry brie bites for appetizers, turkey and cranberry sliders after thanksgiving, and of course cranberry relish.

There is something about their brightness to add natural beauty to any dessert table at the party.

Their natural tartness is an amazing pop when you pair it with sweetness like in these cranberry bars.

Some people are afraid to experiment with cranberries and baking, but don’t! Seriously once you try it you won’t be able to not bake with them again.

So go ahead, go out on a limb and try these tart and savory cranberry bars, you won’t be disappointed.

How to Make Cranberry Bars

• Prep Time: 10 Minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: One hour
• Servings: About 12 bars

Ingredients for Cranberry Bars

Crust and Topping for Cranberry Bars

• 3 cups flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup cold butter
• 1 egg
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Filling for Cranberry Bars

• 16 oz bag fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 Tablespoon cornstarch

Directions for Cranberry Bars:

• To begin making these super easy cranberry bars, you will want to preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
• Prepare your 13×9 pan with either butter or cooking spray. Be sure to grease the pan very well. You are going to be pressing the pie crust in pretty hard and it can be tough to get them out of the pan. You can use parchment paper in the pan also which makes it super easy to clean up.
• You will begin by whisking together the flour, sugar, and baking powder in a large bowl.

• Cut the butter into small chunks. You want to use cold butter for this. Add it to the flour mixture.
• Using a pastry blender or your hands, work the mixture until crumbs are formed.

• Next add the egg and work into the mixture until fully combined.
• Press about 3 cups of the mixture into the bottom of the pan and press firmly. Set aside.
• You will also want to set aside the remaining crumb mixture for the topping.

• In a large bowl, combine the cranberries, sugar and cornstarch. Make sure to pour ALL the sugar on the cranberries. These extra tart berries can use much sugar as you are willing to give them. Mix well.

• Pour the cranberries over the crust, ensuring that leftover sugar from the bowl is also poured on top.

• Then, using a spoon, sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture on top of the cranberries.

Bake for 50 minutes or until the top is slightly golden.

Cool to room temperature. You can serve at room temperature or put it in the refrigerator until slightly chilled.

Tips and Tricks to Making Cranberry Bars

1. Make sure to pour ALL the sugar on the cranberries. These extra tart berries can use much sugar as you are willing to give them.
2. Like a pie crust, it is important to use COLD butter for this recipe.
3. Be sure to grease the pan very well. You are going to be pressing the pie crust in pretty hard and it can be tough to get them out of the pan. You can use parchment paper in the pan also which makes it super easy to clean up.
4. You can eat them at room temperature or chilled, but chilling them really helps them set nicely.
5. Try warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra treat.
6. There is no need to only make cranberry bars during the holiday season! By several bags of cranberries during the season and throw them in the freezer and then use them as needed! They last up to a year. If you are using the cranberries frozen, no need to thaw them first.

How did your cranberry bars turn out? Share in the comments!

Check out these other Cranberry Recipes!

• Cranberry Relish
• Turkey and Cranberry Sliders
• Cranberry Brie Bites

Yield: About 12 bars

Cranberry Bars

Print

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 50 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients

• Crust and Topping
• 3 cups flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup cold butter
• 1 egg
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Filling
• 16 oz bag fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 Tablespoon cornstarch

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Prepare a 9x13 baking pan with butter or cooking spray, and line with parchment if desired for easy removal. 
2. Whisk together the flour, sugar and baking powder in a large bowl. 
3. Cut the butter in small chunks and add to flour mixture. Using a pastry blender or your hands, work the mixture until crumbs are formed. 
4. Add the egg and work into the mixture until fully combined. 
5. Press about 3 cups of the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan firmly. Set aside the remaining crumb mixture for the topping.
6. In a large bowl, combine the cranberries, sugar and cornstarch. Mix well.
7. Pour the cranberries over the crust, ensuring that leftover sugar from the bowl is also poured on top. 
8. Using a spoon, sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture on top of the cranberries. 
9. Bake for 50 minutes or until the top is slightly golden. 
10. Cool to room temperature. You can serve at room temperature or put it in the refrigerator until slightly chilled. 

Notes

1. Make sure to pour ALL the sugar on the cranberries. These extra tart berries can use the help!
2. Like a pie crust, it is important to use COLD butter for this recipe. 
3. Be sure to grease the pan very well. You are going to be pressing the pie crust in pretty hard and it can be tough to get them out of the pan. Using parchment paper in the pan makes for a super easy clean up.
4. You can eat them at room temperature or chilled, but chilling them really helps them set nicely. 
5. Try warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra treat.

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