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Cranberry Lemon Bars Recipe

Cranberry Lemon Bars Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 20 reviews

These Cranberry Lemon Bars combine a buttery shortbread crust with a tangy cranberry layer and a smooth lemon custard topping. Perfect for a refreshing dessert or holiday treat, they offer a balance of tartness and sweetness with a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Ingredients

Scale

Shortbread Crust

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons lemon zest (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

Cranberry Layer

  • 2 cups cranberries (fresh or frozen, about 8 ounces)
  • ½ cup water
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar

Lemon Layer

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 3 large eggs, at room temperature
  • ½ cup lemon juice (about 3 lemons)

Finishing

  • Powdered sugar, for sprinkling

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Pan: Preheat the oven to 325 °F. Lightly coat a 9×9-inch baking pan with baking spray to help the parchment paper stick. Line the pan with two pieces of parchment paper placed perpendicular to each other, covering all sides and leaving a 2-inch overhang. Use binder clips to secure the paper away from the filling if desired. Set aside.
  2. Make the Shortbread: In a medium bowl, whisk together melted butter, ¼ cup sugar, lemon zest (if using), and salt. Stir in 1 cup flour until a soft dough forms.
  3. Press and Chill Dough: Transfer dough to prepared pan, pressing it evenly into corners. Cover with plastic wrap and roll with a pie roller or a similar tool for even thickness. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
  4. Bake Shortbread: Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until edges are lightly browned. Pierce top lightly with a fork, being careful not to go through crust. Cool on wire rack while preparing cranberry sauce.
  5. Prepare Cranberries: Rinse and sort cranberries, discarding any bad ones.
  6. Cook Cranberry Sauce: In a saucepan, combine cranberries, water, and ⅓ cup sugar. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
  7. Simmer Cranberries: Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring frequently and mashing whole berries as they cook to form a sauce.
  8. Chill Cranberry Sauce: Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate at least 30 minutes to cool.
  9. Assemble Cranberry Layer: Spread chilled cranberry sauce evenly over cooled crust, reaching edges. Refrigerate 45 minutes to set.
  10. Mix Lemon Layer: Whisk together 1 cup sugar and 3 tablespoons flour. Add eggs and whisk well. Stir in lemon juice until combined.
  11. Top with Lemon Custard: Pour lemon mixture carefully over cranberry layer. Tap pan to release trapped air bubbles.
  12. Bake Bars: Bake at 325 °F for 35 to 40 minutes until center is set and doesn’t jiggle. Turn off oven a few minutes before fully set; crack door open and let bars cool in oven for 1 hour.
  13. Cool Completely: Remove bars from oven, cool to room temperature, then chill for 1 hour in refrigerator.
  14. Cut Bars: Use parchment overhang to lift bars from pan to a cutting board. Cut into 16 squares, dipping knife in hot water and wiping dry between cuts for clean edges.
  15. Serve and Store: Dust bars generously with powdered sugar just before serving. Store chilled up to 7 days or freeze without powdered sugar for up to 4 months; thaw in refrigerator before serving.
  16. Make Ahead Tip: Cranberry sauce can be made several days ahead or substitute leftover cranberry sauce (about 1¼ cups), mashing it if chunky, for convenience and flavor.

Notes

  • Optional lemon zest adds brightness to the shortbread crust.
  • Fresh or frozen cranberries work well; ensure to rinse and pick through them.
  • Leftover cranberry sauce from holidays can be used for the cranberry layer; mash if chunky.
  • Dipping the knife in hot water between cuts helps create clean, neat squares.
  • Bars are best stored refrigerated and can be frozen for extended storage without powdered sugar topping.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry lemon bars, lemon dessert bars, cranberry dessert, holiday dessert, shortbread bars, lemon custard bars

Find it online: https://thefoodrecipe.com/cranberry-lemon-bars-recipe/