Cranberry Bars Recipe – Sweet and Easy Christmas Treat

These Cranberry Bars are buttery, fruity, and filled with holiday cheer. They combine a soft shortbread base, a tangy cranberry-orange layer, and a golden crumble topping. Perfect for sharing during the festive season or gifting to friends.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You’ll love how simple these Cranberry Bars are to make. The crust doubles as the topping, saving time and effort. The cranberry filling adds a perfect mix of tart and sweet flavors that balance beautifully. They bake into neat, sturdy bars that hold their shape, ideal for parties or dessert trays. Plus, they stay fresh for days, so you can make them ahead for the holidays.

Flavor and Texture Overview

These Cranberry Bars are buttery and soft on the bottom, jammy in the middle, and crumbly on top. The cranberries burst while baking, creating a ruby-red filling that looks as good as it tastes. Cinnamon adds warmth, while orange zest brightens each bite. The flavor is festive but not too heavy, making these bars a great contrast to rich holiday treats. Every square tastes like a little piece of Christmas.

Ingredients Overview

These Cranberry Bars use everyday baking ingredients for an easy yet impressive holiday dessert. The crust and topping share the same buttery dough, giving a rich shortbread texture. The filling combines tart cranberries with sugar, orange zest, and cornstarch, creating a thick and glossy center. The optional orange icing adds a sweet, citrusy finish that makes the bars shine on any dessert table. This recipe is simple, flexible, and guaranteed to please a crowd. You can prepare it ahead, freeze it, or serve it fresh for the perfect Christmas treat.

Crust and Crumble Base Ingredients

The base starts with flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon for flavor and structure. Cold butter is key to that classic shortbread texture, while egg, milk, and vanilla help bind it together. Mix until crumbly, and it’ll look like damp sand. Set aside part of the mixture for the topping. You can also sprinkle almonds on top for an extra crunchy finish.

Cranberry Filling Ingredients

The filling combines cranberries, sugar, cornstarch, orange zest, and orange juice. The sugar balances the tart berries, and the cornstarch thickens everything into a jam-like layer as it bakes. The orange zest adds brightness that lifts the flavor. You can use frozen cranberries directly from the bag, so there’s no extra prep needed. The result is a sweet-tart filling that contrasts beautifully with the buttery crust.

Optional Orange Icing Ingredients

This simple glaze uses just confectioners’ sugar and orange juice. The citrus adds freshness, while the sugar gives the bars a bakery-style finish. Adjust the consistency as you like — thicker for drizzling or thinner for a light coating. Once poured over cooled bars, it hardens slightly, creating a glossy, festive touch.

Equipment and Preparation Tips

You’ll need a 9×13-inch pan, parchment paper, and mixing bowls. Parchment lining is essential because it makes lifting and slicing easy. Use a pastry cutter or food processor to mix the dough quickly, keeping the butter cold. Cold butter means a crumbly texture that melts in your mouth. Always cool the bars completely before slicing to keep clean edges. If you’re in a hurry, chill them in the fridge for faster cooling.

Recommended Pan and Lining Method

Use a sturdy metal or glass pan for even baking. Line it with parchment paper, leaving extra on the sides for lifting. Press the crust firmly into the bottom to form an even layer. After baking, you can easily pull the bars out using the parchment, making cleanup quick and simple.

How to Prep Cranberries and Citrus

Rinse and drain fresh cranberries or use frozen ones straight from the freezer. Zest your orange before juicing it for maximum flavor. Measure zest lightly packed — a little goes a long way. Fresh juice gives the best taste, but bottled works in a pinch. Combining cranberries and citrus gives the filling its bright, festive flavor.

How to Make Cranberry Bars Step by Step

Step 1 – Prepare the Crust and Crumble Mixture

In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or forks until the mixture forms pea-sized crumbs. In a small bowl, whisk egg, milk, and vanilla, then pour into the dry mix. Stir until crumbly and slightly moist. Reserve 2 cups of the mixture for topping, and press the rest into the pan to form the crust.

Step 2 – Assemble the Cranberry Filling

In a medium bowl, stir together cranberries, sugar, cornstarch, orange zest, and orange juice. Mix until the cranberries are coated evenly. Spread this mixture over the crust in a single, even layer. The sugar will start dissolving into the berries, creating a glossy coating before baking.

Step 3 – Layer, Top, and Bake

Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture evenly over the cranberry filling. If you’re adding almonds, scatter them on top now. Bake the bars at 350°F (177°C) for 40–50 minutes until golden brown and bubbling at the edges. The aroma of butter and cinnamon will fill your kitchen.

Step 4 – Cooling, Icing, and Slicing

Place the pan on a wire rack and let it cool completely. To speed things up, refrigerate for 30 minutes. Once cool, whisk confectioners’ sugar with orange juice for the icing. Drizzle over the bars, let it set for about 10 minutes, then cut into squares. Each piece will look bakery-perfect and taste amazing.

Baking Tips for Perfect Cranberry Bars

Preventing Soggy or Overly Tart Filling

Balance tartness with the right amount of sugar. Use cornstarch to thicken the filling, keeping the crust crisp. Avoid thawing frozen cranberries — they’ll release too much liquid. Let the bars cool fully before slicing so the filling sets properly.

Achieving the Right Crumb Texture

Keep the butter cold and avoid overmixing. The dough should stay crumbly, not sticky. Press the crust firmly but not too hard, so it stays tender. When baked, it’ll hold together beautifully with a crisp top and buttery base.

When and How to Add Icing

Always drizzle icing after the bars have cooled completely. Warm bars will make it melt and disappear. For neat results, use a spoon or piping bag. Let the icing harden for a few minutes before serving or packaging.

Variations and Add-Ins

Nutty Crunch with Almonds or Pecans

Add sliced almonds or chopped pecans before baking for extra texture and nutty flavor. They toast beautifully in the oven and pair perfectly with the cranberries. You can also stir a handful into the crumble topping for a rich crunch.

Flavor Twists with Different Citrus

Try using lemon or lime zest instead of orange. Lemon gives a bright, tangy kick, while lime adds a tropical note. You can even mix citrus types for a more complex flavor. Each variation keeps the bars festive and fun.

Serving Suggestions

Holiday Presentation and Pairings

Serve these Cranberry Bars on a pretty platter with a dusting of powdered sugar. Pair them with a cranberry-orange Prosecco punch or a cranberry orange whiskey sour cocktail for a holiday-ready dessert table. Their vibrant color looks amazing among other Christmas sweets.

Cutting and Portioning for Events

Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts for perfect edges. Cut small squares for parties or larger bars for gifting. Stack them in parchment-lined boxes for easy sharing. They travel well and stay firm even after hours on a dessert table.

Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions

Room Temperature and Refrigeration

Store the bars covered at room temperature for up to two days. If you need to keep them longer, refrigerate for up to a week. The flavor deepens as they sit, and the crust stays tender. Serve at room temperature for the best texture.

Freezing and Thawing Tips

Freeze the bars, plain or iced, for up to three months. Layer them with parchment to prevent sticking. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then bring to room temperature before serving. They’ll taste freshly baked, even after freezing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Recipes to Try

• cranberry roll ups – quick holiday appetizer
• cranberry roast beef recipe
• cranberry cream cheese crescent bites
• salted maple pecan pie bars

Conclusion

Final Thoughts and Holiday Inspiration

These Cranberry Bars bring the perfect balance of buttery sweetness and tart holiday flavor. They’re easy to make, look beautiful, and taste even better the next day. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just yourself, these bars will bring a cozy, festive touch to your table. For more seasonal inspiration, check out Pinterest for fun, cozy Christmas ideas.

Print