These cranberry bars are one of my favorite simple Thanksgiving dessert recipes. I top a sweet shortbread crust with fresh cranberries, walnuts, and white chocolate chips to create these tart and sweet bars. They’re not too heavy after a filling meal, and the fresh fruit makes me feel like I am being (sort of) healthy. Ready in just over an hour, they’re the perfect ending to my Thanksgiving feast!
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I get tired of the same old Thanksgiving desserts. These cranberry bars are a fresh and simple take on dessert that’ll leave your guests in awe. Made with just 9 ingredients, these bars are quick and easy to make and taste totally delicious!
What’s in This Cranberry Bars Recipe?
- Butter: Salted butter makes the crust light and tender.
- Brown Sugar: Sweetens the crust.
- Egg Yolks: Bind the crust and keep it moist.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the sweet flavor of the crust.
- Flour: All-purpose flour gives the crust structure.
- Salt: Kosher salt enhances the flavor of the crust.
- White Chocolate Chips: Add pops of sweetness to balance out the tart cranberries.
- Walnuts: Add a bit of crunch and nutty flavor.
- Cranberries: Both fresh and frozen cranberries work well in this recipe. For easy measurements, I recommend using frozen cranberries as you can just use one 12-ounce bag. However, your recipe will have more flavor if you use fresh cranberries. Keep in mind that fresh is always better!
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How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover cranberry bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. These bars are great cold or reheated for 30 seconds in the microwave and served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Tips for Success
- I recommend letting the butter sit out at room temperature for about 30 minutes to an hour. It doesn’t combine as well if you microwave it.
- To get better accuracy, I like to roll out the dough evenly and cut it into 3 parts.
- Do not use baking soda or powder. This recipe isn’t intended to have any baking soda or baking powder.
- When it is done, the top should be golden brown and the cranberries should be bubbly.
Cranberry Bars Recipe
These cranberry bars are one of my favorite simple Thanksgiving dessert recipes. Ready in just over an hour!
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 55 minutes
Total Time
: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 16 bars
Ingredients
- 1½ cups salted butter room temperature (3 sticks)
- 1½ cups brown sugar
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 12 ounces cranberries fresh or frozen
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- 9×13 Baking Pan
- Hand Mixer
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- Using a hand mixer, beat the butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy.1½ cups salted butter, 1½ cups brown sugar
- Add the egg yolks and vanilla extract, beating to combine.2 large egg yolks, 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- In a separate bowl, mix the flour and salt together.3 cups all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients until combined. The dough will be slightly crumbly.
- Divide the dough into thirds.
- Spread ⅔ of the dough in the bottom of the prepared 9×13-inch pan. Press until the dough lays flat and even along the sides. Bake for 25 minutes.
- While the dough bakes, fold the chocolate chips and nuts into the remaining ⅓ of the dough.1 cup white chocolate chips, 1 cup chopped walnuts
- Take the pan out of the oven and evenly spread a whole bag of cranberries over the dough, to the edges.12 ounces cranberries
- Quickly and evenly, put approximately 1-inch pieces of the remaining dough mixture on top of the baked dough and cranberries.
- Put the pan back in the oven and bake for another 20 minutes.
- Cover the pan loosely with aluminum foil and continue baking for another approximately 10 minutes, until it’s cooked through. The top should be golden brown and the cranberries should be bubbly.
- Let the bars cool for a few minutes before cutting. The bars can be served warm or cold.
Notes
Storage: Store cranberry bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months.
Nutrition Facts
Cranberry Bars Recipe
Amount Per Serving (1 bar)
Calories 443
Calories from Fat 234
% Daily Value*
Fat 26g40%
Saturated Fat 14g88%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 4g
Monounsaturated Fat 6g
Cholesterol 72mg24%
Sodium 228mg10%
Potassium 142mg4%
Carbohydrates 48g16%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 28g31%
Protein 5g10%
Vitamin A 582IU12%
Vitamin C 3mg4%
Calcium 60mg6%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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