Cranberry Shortbread Bars

Savor the Holiday Magic with Cranberry Shortbread Bars

Transform your holiday baking with these irresistible Cranberry Shortbread Bars, where buttery shortbread meets the bright, tangy burst of fresh cranberries. Perfect for festive gatherings or Christmas cookie exchanges, these bars bring together classic winter flavors in every delightful bite.

Whether you're hosting a holiday party or simply craving something special with your afternoon tea, these bars strike the perfect balance between sophisticated and comforting. Ready to create some holiday magic in your kitchen? Let's dive into this crowd-pleasing recipe that's sure to become a seasonal favorite.

Cranberry Shortbread Bars: A Perfect Holiday Treat

These Cranberry Shortbread Bars combine the rich, buttery goodness of traditional shortbread with a vibrant cranberry filling that's both tart and sweet. If you love the combination of fruity and buttery desserts like our delicious peaches and cream cake, you'll adore these festive bars.

The perfect harmony of textures – from the crisp, crumbly shortbread to the luscious cranberry layer – makes these bars an absolute must-try for your holiday baking lineup. Like our popular lemon cream cheese bars, these treats offer that perfect balance of flavors that keeps everyone coming back for more.

Pro Tips for Perfect Cranberry Shortbread Bars:

1. Temperature Matters: Ensure your butter is properly softened but not melted for the ideal shortbread texture.
2. Even Distribution: When pressing the crust, use the back of a measuring cup for uniform thickness.
3. Cranberry Perfection: Cook the cranberries until they just burst to maintain their bright flavor.
4. Cool Completely: Allow the bars to cool fully before cutting for clean, professional-looking squares.
5. Storage Success: Keep these bars fresh in an airtight container, similar to how you'd store butter pecan cookies.

Cranberry Shortbread Bars Recipe:

• Preparation time: 20 minutes
• Cooking time: 40-45 minutes
• Servings: 16 bars
• Equipment: 8x8 inch baking pan, parchment paper, saucepan, mixing bowl

Transform your kitchen into a holiday baking haven with these delightful Cranberry Shortbread Bars, destined to become a cherished addition to your seasonal recipe collection.

Ingredients:

For the crust:

• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 cups all-purpose flour

For the filling:

• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Directions:

1. Preheat and Prepare: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
2. Mix the Crust: In a large bowl, cream together butter, sugar, and salt until light and fluffy. Gradually mix in flour until it forms coarse crumbs.
3. Form the Base: Press ⅔ of the mixture firmly into the prepared pan, ensuring an even layer.
4. Pre-bake: Place in the oven for 15 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.
5. Prepare Filling: While the crust bakes, combine cranberries, sugar, orange zest, and juice in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until cranberries burst and mixture thickens.
6. Complete Assembly: Spread the cranberry filling evenly over the pre-baked crust, then sprinkle remaining shortbread mixture on top.
7. Final Bake: Return to the oven for 25-30 minutes until the topping is golden brown.
8. Cool and Serve: Allow to cool completely before cutting into squares.

Storage Solutions:

Store these Cranberry Shortbread Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, these bars freeze beautifully for up to 3 months, making them perfect for advance holiday preparation.

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