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You can use 2 cups of fresh or frozen cranberries. Fresh cranberries add a bright flavor. Frozen cranberries work well too. They are easy to find and save time. You need 1 cup of granulated sugar. This helps balance the tartness of the cranberries. You can add more sugar for serving if you like sweeter bars. Gather these key items: - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened - 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder - 1/4 teaspoon salt - 2 large eggs - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon These ingredients create a rich, soft base for the bars. For added crunch, you can fold in 1 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans. They give a nice texture and flavor to the bars. If you want to skip nuts, that’s fine too! {{ingredient_image_2}} First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab a 9x13-inch baking pan. Grease the pan with butter or non-stick spray. This will help the bars come out easily after baking. In a medium saucepan, add 2 cups of cranberries and 1 cup of sugar. Cook this mixture over medium heat. Stir it often until the cranberries burst and the mix thickens. This takes about 5-8 minutes. Once it's thick, take it off the heat and let it cool a bit. Now, take a large mixing bowl. Beat 1 cup of softened butter with an electric mixer. Add in another cup of sugar. Mix this for about 2-3 minutes until it's light and fluffy. Next, add 2 large eggs one at a time. Mix well after each egg. Finally, stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 cups of flour, 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. This helps to distribute all the dry ingredients evenly. Pour the dry mixture into the wet mixture. Mix gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. If you want a crunch, fold in 1 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans. Spread half of the batter into the greased pan. Pour the cooled cranberry mixture on top, spreading it evenly. Finally, dollop the rest of the batter on top, leaving some cranberries visible. Place the pan in the oven. Bake for about 30-35 minutes. The bars should turn golden brown. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean. When done, take them out and let them cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cool, cut into squares or rectangles. Dust with powdered sugar before serving for a festive look. To get the best texture in your cranberry bars, pay attention to your mixing. When you blend the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing makes the bars tough. Keep the batter fluffy. This gives the bars a light feel. Also, avoid using cold butter. Softened butter works best. It helps create a smooth batter that rises well in the oven. Boost the flavor of your bars with simple tweaks. Add a pinch of nutmeg alongside the cinnamon for warmth. Fresh orange zest brings a bright taste. You can also swap out some sugar for brown sugar. This adds a rich, caramel-like flavor. If you love nuts, use toasted walnuts or pecans. Toasting brings out their flavor. Feel free to experiment with spices to find your favorite mix. Make your cranberry bars look as good as they taste. Dust the top with powdered sugar before serving. This adds a festive touch. Serve the bars on a colorful platter for a bright display. Garnish with fresh cranberries or mint leaves for a pop of color. You can even place a few sprigs of rosemary for a lovely aroma. These small details will impress your guests. Pro Tips Use Fresh Cranberries: Fresh cranberries provide a more vibrant color and tartness compared to frozen. If using frozen, ensure they are fully thawed and drained before cooking. Customize Sweetness: Adjust the sugar in the cranberry mixture based on your preference for sweetness. If you enjoy a more tart flavor, reduce the sugar slightly. Check Doneness Early: Ovens can vary in temperature. Start checking the bars at the 25-minute mark to prevent over-baking. Storage Tips: Store the bliss bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness. {{image_4}} You can mix up the crust for your Cranberry Christmas Bars. Instead of the basic butter and flour base, try using graham cracker crumbs. This adds a nice crunch and a hint of sweetness. You can also swap in almond flour for a gluten-free option. Just remember to adjust the butter and sugar as needed. These changes keep the bars fresh and exciting. For toppings, think beyond powdered sugar. You might like to sprinkle some oats on top for texture. A drizzle of chocolate can add a rich flavor, too. For a fruity twist, use orange zest or a few slivers of lemon. These options can give your bars a unique flair that impresses everyone. Incorporate seasonal spices to elevate your bars. Adding nutmeg or allspice can bring warmth. You could also mix in some fresh orange juice or zest. This will brighten the flavors and tie them to the holiday spirit. If you want a fun twist, try adding a splash of peppermint extract. It gives a festive touch that everyone will love. To keep your Cranberry Christmas Bars fresh, store them in an airtight container. Place parchment paper between layers to avoid sticking. You can keep them at room temperature for up to three days. For longer freshness, store them in the fridge for up to a week. If you want to maintain their taste and texture, avoid leaving them out in the open. Freezing is a great option if you want to save some bars for later. First, let the bars cool completely. Then, cut them into squares or rectangles. Wrap each piece in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped bars in a freezer-safe container or bag. This method helps keep them fresh for about three months. When you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw them in the fridge overnight. If you want to warm up your bars, it’s simple. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the bars on a baking sheet and cover them with foil. Heat for about 10-15 minutes. This warms them without making them dry. You can also use the microwave. Heat each bar for about 15-20 seconds. Enjoy them warm for a cozy treat! To make these bars from scratch, start with fresh or frozen cranberries. Cook them with sugar until they burst. This makes a sweet filling. Next, beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing well. In another bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Combine the wet and dry mixes. Fold in nuts if you like. Layer half the batter in a greased pan, add the cranberry filling, and top with the rest of the batter. Bake until golden. Cool and cut into bars. Yes, you can use dried cranberries. However, they are sweeter and less tart. So, cut back on sugar. Soak them in warm water for about 20 minutes. This helps them soften. After soaking, drain and add them where you would use fresh cranberries. The bars will taste different but still delicious. If you cannot use walnuts or pecans, try other nuts. Almonds or hazelnuts work well. You can also use seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds. If you prefer no nuts, leave them out. The bars will still taste great without the crunch. These cranberry bars last about 5 days at room temperature. Store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh. You can also refrigerate them for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, consider freezing them. Yes, making these bars ahead of time is a great idea. You can bake them a day or two before your event. Just store them in an airtight container. If you freeze them, wrap them well. Thaw them in the fridge before serving, and dust with powdered sugar for a festive touch. Cranberry bars blend sweet and tart flavors, making them a festive treat. We covered ingredients like fresh cranberries, sweeteners, and baking essentials. Then, we went through each step—from preparing your pan to mixing and baking. I shared tips for perfect texture, flavor boosts, and great presentations. Try variations with different crusts or toppings to personalize your bars. For best storage, keep them in a cool place or freeze them. Making these bars can be simple and fun. Enjoy your delicious creations!

Cranberry Christmas Bliss Bars

Delicious and festive cranberry bars perfect for the holiday season.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (plus additional for serving, if desired)
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
  • 0.25 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional for added crunch)
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • for dusting powdered sugar

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9x13-inch baking pan by greasing it with butter or non-stick spray.
  • In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the cranberries and granulated sugar. Stir occasionally and cook until the cranberries start to burst and the mixture thickens to a jam-like consistency, about 5-8 minutes. Once done, remove from heat and allow it to cool slightly.
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and an additional 1 cup of granulated sugar together with an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the eggs to the bowl, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon to evenly distribute the dry ingredients. Gradually pour the dry mixture into the wet mixture, blending gently until just combined. Take care not to overmix.
  • If desired, carefully fold in the chopped walnuts or pecans for a delightful crunch.
  • Spread half of the prepared batter into the bottom of the greased baking pan, smoothing it evenly to create a base layer. Next, pour the cooled cranberry mixture over this layer, spreading it out gently to ensure even coverage. Finally, using a spoon, dollop the remaining batter on top of the cranberries—the goal is to leave some cranberries visible for a beautiful presentation.
  • Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 30-35 minutes. The bars should become golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean when they are done.
  • Once baked, remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. After cooling, cut the bars into squares or rectangles, and dust with powdered sugar before serving for a festive touch.

Notes

Serve on a festive platter and garnish with fresh cranberries and mint leaves.
Keyword bars, cranberry, dessert, holiday