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Cranberry Bars

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Bright, buttery cranberry crumb bars with a crispy crust and juicy cranberry filling, finished with orange icing and sliced almonds.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) milk
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup (30g) sliced almonds (optional)
  • 4 cups (400g) fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar for filling
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons orange zest
  • 1 tablespoon (15g) fresh orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) fresh orange juice for icing
  • 1 cup (120g) confectioners’ sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. Whisk together the flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until evenly combined.
  3. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture becomes crumbly.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, and vanilla. Pour into the dry ingredients and mix until moist and crumbly.
  5. Reserve 2 cups of the mixture for the topping and press the rest into the prepared pan to form the crust.
  6. Combine the cranberries, 3/4 cup sugar, cornstarch, orange zest, and 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice in another bowl.
  7. Spread the cranberry mixture evenly over the crust.
  8. Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture over the cranberries and scatter sliced almonds on top.
  9. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until the top is browned.
  10. Cool completely on a wire rack, then chill for 1 hour to set.
  11. Whisk the confectioners’ sugar and 2 tablespoons orange juice until smooth, then drizzle over cooled bars.
  12. Cut into squares and enjoy.

Notes

These bars can be made a day ahead and chilled for cleaner slices. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry bars, dessert, holiday recipes, sweet treats, baking

Find it online: https://easydessertideas.com/cranberry-bars/