Dessert

Cranberry Bars Recipe

ByMatteo Rossi December 8, 2025December 8, 2025

Introduction

Cranberry bars offer a delightful balance of tart and sweet, perfect for cozy afternoons or holiday gatherings. With a buttery crumb crust and a fresh cranberry filling, these bars are both flavorful and easy to make. Let’s dive into this simple recipe for a festive treat.

The image shows two stacked dessert bars with three visible layers. The bottom layer is a thick, crumbly light brown crust with a rough texture. The middle layer is a smooth, creamy filling in a pale beige color mixed with bright red chunks of berries. The top layer is a crumbly, golden-brown streusel sprinkled with whole and crushed red berries, giving it a textured look with pops of vibrant red throughout. The bars have a moist, slightly sticky appearance from the berries. The dessert is set against a white marbled background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup white granulated sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup cold butter (cut into small chunks)
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 tablespoon orange zest
16 oz fresh or frozen cranberries
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 9×13 baking pan with butter or cooking spray, then line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange zest, and baking powder until well combined.
Step 3: Add the cold butter chunks to the flour mixture. Using a pastry blender or fork, work the butter into the mixture until fine crumbs form.
Step 4: Add the egg to the crumb mixture and mix until fully combined, forming a dough.
Step 5: Press about 3 cups of the crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust. Set the remaining crumb mixture aside for the topping.
Step 6: In another bowl, combine the cranberries, 1 cup sugar, and cornstarch. Stir well to coat the berries evenly.
Step 7: Spread the cranberry filling evenly over the crust layer in the baking pan.
Step 8: Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture evenly over the cranberry layer as the topping.
Step 9: Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the topping is slightly golden and the filling is bubbly.
Step 10: Allow the bars to cool to room temperature before slicing into 12 servings and serving.

Tips & Variations

For a nutty crunch, add ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans to the crumb mixture.
Use orange juice instead of water to rinse the cranberries for an extra citrus flavor boost.
If fresh cranberries aren’t available, frozen cranberries work just as well—no need to thaw before mixing.
For a less tart filling, increase the sugar in the cranberry mixture by a few tablespoons.

Storage

Store cranberry bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to 2 months. To reheat, warm individual bars in the microwave for 15–20 seconds or in a low oven until warmed through.

How to Serve

The image shows a close-up of several square pieces of a crumbly dessert bar stacked gently. Each piece has three distinct layers: the bottom layer is a thick, golden-brown crust that looks dense and slightly textured, the middle layer is a vibrant red berry filling with whole and crushed berries adding a juicy, glossy texture, and the top layer is a crumbly, light beige streusel topping scattered unevenly with small berry pieces peeking through. The bars are set against a white marbled surface, creating a clean and bright background for the colorful dessert. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen cranberries instead of fresh?

Yes, frozen cranberries can be used straight from the freezer without thawing. This helps maintain the texture and prevents the filling from becoming watery.

How do I keep the crust from getting soggy?

Press the crust firmly and evenly into the pan and avoid adding too much liquid in the filling. Baking at the correct temperature also helps the crust stay crisp and golden.