Cape Cod Cranberry Bars
Bursting with bright, tangy flavors, these Cape Cod Cranberry Bars are the perfect blend of sweet and tart, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion. Featuring a buttery golden crust, a luscious cranberry-orange filling, and a delicate crumble topping, this recipe strikes a harmonious balance of texture and taste. Made with fresh or frozen cranberries, zesty orange juice, and a hint of orange zest, these bars showcase the vibrant flavors of the season in every bite. Ready in just over an hour, they’re ideal for holiday gatherings, bake sales, or as a unique dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth. Finish with a dusting of powdered sugar for a festive touch, and watch these crowd-pleasers disappear in no time!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups All-purpose flour
- 1.5 cups Granulated sugar
- 1 cup Unsalted butter
- 0.25 teaspoons Salt
- 3 cups Fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 tablespoon Orange zest
- 0.5 cup Orange juice
- 0.5 cup Brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal later.
In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Mix well.
Cut the cold unsalted butter (1 cup, or 2 sticks) into small cubes and add to the dry mixture. Use a pastry cutter, fork, or your fingers to blend the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until lightly golden. Set aside to cool slightly.
While the crust is baking, prepare the cranberry filling. In a medium saucepan, combine 3 cups of fresh or frozen cranberries, 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 cup of orange juice, and 1 tablespoon of orange zest.
Cook the cranberry mixture over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries have burst and the mixture has thickened slightly.
In a small bowl, whisk 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water until smooth. Stir this slurry into the cranberry mixture and cook for an additional 2 minutes, or until the filling is glossy and thickened. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Spread the cranberry filling evenly over the partially baked crust.
In a small bowl, mix the remaining 1/2 cup of flour and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar. Sprinkle this mixture over the cranberry filling to create a crumble topping.
Bake the bars in the oven for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan and transfer them to a cutting board.
Cut into 16 squares or bars. Dust with powdered sugar if desired before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3790 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 100.2 g | 128% | |
| Saturated Fat | 56.5 g | 282% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 248 mg | 83% | |
| Sodium | 644 mg | 28% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 717.7 g | 261% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 31.8 g | 114% | |
| Total Sugars | 422.3 g | ||
| Protein | 35.5 g | 71% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 194 mg | 15% | |
| Iron | 16.2 mg | 90% | |
| Potassium | 1182 mg | 25% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
