Winning Cranberry Date Bars

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 30 min. + cooling

Makes

4 dozen

Updated: Apr. 11, 2023
I enjoy making these bars when cranberry season arrives. The recipe is very easy to put together, which is perfect for busy parents like me. —Richard Grams, LaCrosse, Wisconsin
Winning Cranberry Date Bars Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 1 package (12 ounces) fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1 package (8 ounces) chopped dates
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups quick-cooking oats
  • 1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup butter, melted
  • ORANGE GLAZE:
  • 2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons orange juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a large saucepan, combine cranberries and dates. Cover and cook over low heat until berries pop, 15 minutes, stirring often. Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla; set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda and salt. Stir in butter until crumbly. Press half into an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Bake 8 minutes. Spoon cranberry mixture over the crust; spread gently. Sprinkle with remaining crumb mixture; pat down gently.
  3. Bake until golden brown, 20-25 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack. Combine glaze ingredients; drizzle over top. Cut into bars.
Sugared Cranberries
Heat 3 tablespoons light corn syrup in microwave until warm; gently toss with 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries, allowing excess syrup to drip off. Toss in 1/3 cup sugar to coat. Place on waxed paper; let stand until set, about 1 hour. 

Nutrition Facts

1 bar: 128 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 58mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.