If you’re dreaming of a dessert that brings together tart fruit, a tender golden crumb, and a sparkling snowy finish, look no further than Cranberry Bars. These vibrant treats deliver the perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavor, with buttery undertones and a festive dusting of powdered sugar. Whether you’re whipping them up for a holiday party, gifting them to a friend, or sneaking one with your morning coffee, Cranberry Bars are sure to brighten any day and become your new go-to crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these simple but essential ingredients is all it takes to create beautiful Cranberry Bars at home. Every component has its moment to shine, lending sweetness, tang, richness, or crunch for a dessert that’s both comforting and bursting with color.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): This is the key to that luscious, tender base; make sure it’s truly soft for the best creamy blending.
- Granulated sugar (1 1/2 cups): Sweetness that not only balances the cranberries but also helps form a golden, chewy crumb.
- Vanilla extract (1 tsp): Just a splash infuses warmth and roundness throughout every bite.
- Salt (1/2 tsp): A little salt sharpens all the other flavors and makes the sweetness pop.
- Eggs (2 large): Eggs add richness, helping the bars hold together and bake up moist.
- All-purpose flour (2 cups): Provides structure while keeping things soft and light.
- Baking powder (1/2 tsp): The gentle lift for a bar that’s never dense or heavy.
- Fresh or frozen cranberries (2 cups): These ruby gems bring bright tartness and gorgeous color; use frozen if fresh aren’t handy (no need to thaw).
- Chopped walnuts or pecans (1/2 cup, optional): For crunch and a cozy, earthy flavor—totally up to you, but delicious either way.
- Powdered sugar for dusting: For a beautiful, snowy finish and a touch of extra sweetness.
How to Make Cranberry Bars
Step 1: Prep the Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s perfectly hot when you’re ready to bake. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan, or, for the easiest cleanup imaginable, line it with parchment paper—the bars will lift out beautifully later.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter together with the granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale. This step is key! It whips air into the batter, promising that delicate, tender crumb we all crave in Cranberry Bars.
Step 3: Add Vanilla, Salt, and Eggs
Mix in the vanilla extract and salt, then add your eggs one at a time. Beat well after each addition—it helps create an emulsified, velvety batter. If you’re making these while dancing around your kitchen, don’t worry: the batter can handle a little extra enthusiasm here!
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. This simple blend ensures everything’s evenly distributed so every bite rises just right.
Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry
Gradually add the flour mixture to your buttery mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Overmixing can make the bars tough, so stop as soon as you see the flour disappear.
Step 6: Fold in Cranberries and Nuts
Now for the stars: Gently fold in the cranberries, and nuts if using. Don’t worry if some cranberries burst a little—that just means more juicy pockets tucked into every slice of Cranberry Bars.
Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection
Scrape the batter into your prepared pan, smoothing it into an even layer. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the top is beautifully golden and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Your kitchen will smell like pure holiday joy!
Step 8: Cool, Dust, and Slice
Let the bars cool completely in the pan—patience here means cleaner cuts later. Once cool, sift powdered sugar over the top for a festive finish, then slice into squares or rectangles to share (or keep all for yourself, we won’t tell!).
How to Serve Cranberry Bars
Garnishes
Give your Cranberry Bars an extra touch of charm with a gentle shower of powdered sugar, a few fresh cranberries or orange zest curls on top, or even a dollop of whipped cream if you’re feeling fancy. That dazzling contrast between the white dusting and ruby fruit is always a showstopper.
Side Dishes
Pair these bright, tangy bars with other light desserts or contrast them with a rich scoop of vanilla ice cream. For a holiday table, they work wonders alongside fresh fruit salad, spiced tea, or even a steaming mug of hot chocolate—comfort food harmony at its best.
Creative Ways to Present
Cranberry Bars make perfect party treats: cut them into dainty squares for a dessert buffet, stack them on a tiered cake stand, or wrap individually for sweet edible gifts. For a potluck, try slicing them into “fingers” for easy grabbing, or top each with a dab of cream cheese frosting for an elegant twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once baked and cooled, Cranberry Bars keep beautifully at room temperature for up to two days—just cover the pan tightly with foil or store bars in an airtight container. Their texture holds up, so each bite stays tender and satisfying.
Freezing
If you want to get ahead for a party or preserve extra bars, these freeze like a dream. Place sliced bars in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer to a freezer bag or container. They’ll keep for up to two months. When ready to eat, thaw at room temperature and add a fresh dusting of powdered sugar to revive their sparkle.
Reheating
While Cranberry Bars are delicious straight from the fridge or at room temp, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave will make them taste like they just came out of the oven—gooey, soft, and aromatic. If you’re reheating several at once, warm them in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes, covered loosely with foil.
FAQs
Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh or frozen?
Fresh or frozen cranberries are best for Cranberry Bars because they add juicy bursts of tartness and stunning color. If you’re in a pinch, you can use dried cranberries—but soak them in hot water for 10 minutes to plump them up, then drain before adding to the batter.
What’s the best nut to use in these bars?
Both walnuts and pecans work beautifully in Cranberry Bars. Walnuts lend a gentle bitterness that balances the sweet base, while pecans add extra buttery richness. You can absolutely skip nuts for a nut-free treat, and the bars will bake up just as tasty!
Can I add anything for extra flavor?
Absolutely! For a fresh twist, add 1 teaspoon of orange zest to the batter. The citrus notes love to cozy up with cranberries and turn Cranberry Bars into an even brighter, more complex dessert.
How do I know when the bars are done?
Bake until the top is lightly golden and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean or with just a crumb or two. The edges may be a little firmer and pull away from the pan, which is always a good sign you’re ready to cool and slice.
Do I need to thaw frozen cranberries first?
No need—toss frozen cranberries straight into the batter! Just add a couple extra minutes to baking time if needed, and check with a toothpick. The cold fruit may chill the batter a bit, but you’ll still get those lovely pockets of tart flavor.
Final Thoughts
There’s a special magic in baking and sharing Cranberry Bars—the burst of color, the irresistible sweet-tart bite, and the sprinkle of powdered sugar on top. Whether it’s your first time making them or your hundredth, they always bring that homemade bakery feel to your table. Give these bars a try and watch them become a new favorite in your dessert lineup!
Print
Cranberry Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Cranberry Bars are a delightful holiday dessert that combines a buttery base with tart cranberries and optional nuts, all dusted with powdered sugar for a festive touch.
Ingredients
For the Bars:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in vanilla and salt.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in eggs one at a time. In a separate bowl, whisk flour and baking powder, then gradually add to wet ingredients.
- Combine: Gently fold in cranberries and nuts. Spread the batter in the pan.
- Bake: Bake for 35–40 minutes until golden and a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
- Dust and Serve: Dust with powdered sugar, slice, and serve.
Notes
- Fresh or frozen cranberries work well; fresh cranberries provide a tart flavor contrast.
- For a citrusy twist, add 1 tsp orange zest to the batter.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
