Cranberry Dessert Bars Everyone Will Love

Cranberry dessert bars strike the perfect balance between sweet and tart, chewy and crisp.

These bars are made with a buttery base, a vibrant cranberry filling, and a delicate crumb topping.

I prefer making them with fresh or frozen cranberries simmered down into a jammy layer, lightly sweetened to let the natural tang shine through.

You’ll start with a shortbread crust, press it into the pan, pre-bake, then add your cranberry filling and finish with a crumble topping.

After baking, you get beautiful ruby-red bars that are fruity, festive, and full of flavor — ideal for holidays, potlucks, or just a refreshing change from chocolate.

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Recipe Overview

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Ingredients

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Tools You’ll Need (with Alternatives in Brackets)

• 8×8 inch baking pan (or 9×9 for thinner bars)
• Mixing bowls (or medium containers)
• Saucepan (or nonstick skillet)
• Spatula or spoon (or silicone scraper)
• Zester (or fine grater)
• Measuring cups/spoons (or kitchen scale)
• Parchment paper (or greased foil)
• Oven

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How to Make Cranberry Dessert Bars

These bars have a three-step process: prepare the crust, make the cranberry filling, and top with crumble before baking. Each part builds flavor and texture.

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Step 1: Prep the Pan and Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy lifting later.

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Step 2: Make the Crust & Topping

In a mixing bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and salt. Add cold butter and use your hands or a pastry cutter to mix until crumbly.

Press ⅔ of this mixture into the bottom of the pan and reserve the rest for topping. Bake the base for 12–15 minutes, then set aside to cool.

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Step 3: Cook the Cranberry Filling

In a saucepan, combine cranberries, orange juice, orange zest, and sugar. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

As the cranberries burst, mash them slightly and stir in cornstarch. Cook 3–4 more minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

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Step 4: Assemble the Layers

Spread the cranberry filling over the baked crust. Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture evenly over the top.

Lightly press it down without packing it too tight.

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Step 5: Bake the Bars

Bake for 25–28 minutes until the top is golden and crisp. Let them cool completely in the pan before slicing.

For best results, refrigerate for 30 minutes before cutting into bars.

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Decoration & Serving Tips

• Dust with powdered sugar once cooled
• Add a drizzle of white chocolate for a sweet contrast
• Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or scoop of vanilla ice cream
• Garnish with a few fresh cranberries for presentation

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Variations to Try

• Apple-Cranberry Bars: Mix in ½ cup diced apples with the cranberry filling
• Nutty Topping: Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the crumble
• Jam Shortcut: Use cranberry-orange preserves in place of the filling
• Ginger Kick: Add ¼ tsp ground ginger to the filling for warmth

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Storing Tips

• Store at room temperature for 2 days
• Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days
• Freeze individual bars wrapped in parchment for up to 2 months

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Extra Tips

• Use tart cranberries — they balance the sweetness perfectly
• Don’t skip the zest — it adds freshness to the filling
• For a chewier top, underbake slightly and let them set in the fridge
• Always let bars cool completely for the cleanest cuts

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Common Mistakes & Fixes

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Let’s Bake and Share These Cranberry Dessert Bars

Cranberry dessert bars are simple to make, bold in flavor, and perfect for those who love a sweet-tart combo.

Bake a batch and share your favorite topping twist in the comments!