Cranberry-Orange Bars

Total Time

Prep: 30 min. Bake: 20 min.

Makes

about 2-1/2 dozen

Updated: Sep. 13, 2022
My mother has had this recipe for years. I love it! These bars make great snacks, but can also be served for dessert. —Margaret Adelman, Bellingham, Minnesota
Cranberry-Orange Bars Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 3 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 2 large unpeeled oranges, cut into quarters and seeded
  • 2-1/2 cups sugar
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 cup chopped nuts, optional
  • CRUST:
  • 3-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
  • 1 cup butter, cubed
  • 3 large egg yolks
  • 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons water

Directions

  1. Grind cranberries and oranges (including peel). Set aside. In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch and ginger. Add ground fruit; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook and stir for 15 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; stir in nuts if desired. Set aside to cool.
  2. Meanwhile, for crust, in a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar and lemon zest. Cut in butter until coarse crumbs form. Add egg yolks and vanilla. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball.
  3. Pat two-thirds of dough into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Cover with cranberry-orange mixture. Crumble remaining dough on top. Bake at 425° for 20-25 minutes or until topping is golden brown. Cool on a wire rack; cut into bars.

Nutrition Facts

1 bar: 207 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 38mg cholesterol, 63mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (23g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.