Description
These Cranberry Lemon Bars feature a buttery shortbread crust, a tangy cranberry layer, and a smooth lemon custard topping. Sweet, tart, and festive, they make an impressive and refreshing dessert.
Ingredients
- Cranberry Layer:
- 8 ounces fresh cranberries (or frozen, unthawed)
- ½ cup water
- 6 tablespoons granulated sugar
- Shortbread Crust:
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup + 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- Lemon Layer:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice (about 3 lemons)
- Optional:
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Rinse cranberries and discard any that are soft or damaged.
- In a saucepan, combine cranberries, water, and sugar. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10–15 minutes until cranberries break down and mixture thickens. Cool for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C), line a 9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper, and lightly grease.
- Mix melted butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt in a bowl. Stir in flour to form a thick dough. Press into the pan and bake for 16–18 minutes until lightly browned. Poke holes with a fork and cool for 20 minutes.
- Whisk sugar and flour in a bowl, then beat in eggs and lemon juice to form the lemon custard layer.
- Spread cooled cranberry mixture evenly over crust and refrigerate for 45 minutes to set.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C), gently pour lemon layer over cranberry layer, and bake for 43–45 minutes until set.
- Cool on a rack for 1 hour, then refrigerate for 1–2 hours.
- Lift bars out using parchment, dust with powdered sugar if desired, slice, and serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- Add 2 teaspoons lemon zest to lemon layer for extra brightness.
- Use a smaller pan for mini bar versions.
- Top with pistachios or white chocolate chips for a festive twist.
- Substitute with erythritol for a reduced sugar version.
- Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to make the bars gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 55mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
