Cranberry Bars Tart And Buttery

I love cranberry. I’m so happy when the holidays roll around because I get to break out some of my favorite desserts! (Although in my opinion, they should be enjoyed year-round, they’re that good!) Add these other great cranberry recipes to the dessert lineup: cranberry Christmas cake, cranberry orange cheesecake, or cranberry cheesecake fluff if you want something easy.

The Best Cranberry Crumb Bars

Cranberry bars are the perfect holiday dessert! They’re the perfect combination of tangy and sweet, with a jammy filling on top of a crumbly, buttery crust. The filling is made with cranberry sauce, orange zest, and a bit of lemon zest and orange juice. Nice and tart, and the perfect contrast to the sweet crust. When you’re wondering what dessert to make for the holidays, cranberry bars are the best choice! They’re so easy to make and since they’re in bar form, making enough for a large crowd and serving them is a breeze. Trust me, you’re going to love them. Even if you’re not a big cranberry fan, they’ll make you a believer!

Ingredient List

These cranberry crumb bars use a lot of simple baking ingredients to make your life a little easier. The perfect way to use up extra cans of cranberry sauce! See the recipe card below for exact measurements.

Light Brown Sugar: Think of light brown sugar as the sweet, sugary base for our bars, adding that caramel-like sweetness to the crust. All-Purpose Flour: Gives the cranberry bars structure. Baking Soda and Baking Powder: You’ll need both to help the crust rise so it’s not too dense. Salt: Just a tiny bit of salt to make everything taste even better. Unsalted Butter: Melted butter is the magic that makes the crust so buttery and rich! Cranberry Sauce: The base of the perfect tangy filling. You can use homemade cranberry sauce or canned for easy prep. Orange Zest, Orange Juice, and Lemon Zest: Make the filling even more delicious and vibrant.

How to Make Cranberry Bars

Mix up your crust and filling mixture, layer both, and then it’s off to the oven! Waiting for them to come out of the oven is the hardest part here. Especially with how amazing they make your kitchen smell!

Crust to Filling Ratio: The ratio of crumb to cranberry filling is very adjustable according to your preferences. I used about 1/2 the amount of cranberry filling, but for a more jammy, fruit-filled bar you can use the whole thing! Use Your Favorite Cranberry Sauce: Pick your favorite kind of cranberry sauce! If you prefer the jelly kind with no chunks, go for it. If you like it packed with whole berries, use the whole berry kind, and don’t mash them as you stir in the orange juice and zest. Prefer Homemade Cranberry Sauce? Substitute the canned cranberry sauce for 1 ½ cups of your favorite cranberry sauce recipe. Don’t Overmix the Crumb Dough! Mix it until all the butter has been absorbed into the dry ingredients. There should be a mixture of large and small pieces of dough and it may seem quite dry, but it will all come together when you press it into the pan or crumble over the top of the filling.

Can Cranberry Bars Be Frozen?

Yes! These are a great make-ahead dessert! To freeze them, let them cool completely before lifting them out of the pan and cutting them into individual bars. Place the bars onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving about an inch between them. Place the baking sheet in the freezer until the bars are frozen solid, about 3-4 hours. Once frozen, transfer the bars to a freezer bag or an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. To defrost let them sit out overnight, or place the frozen bars on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.