Fresh Cranberry Bars ~ these buttery shortbread crumble bars are bursting with fresh tart cranberries and the combination is pure heaven!
When I spotted the first stack of fresh cranberries in my supermarket the other day I lunged at them. Even though cranberry production still exceeds demand in this country, you never know when people are going to wake up and figure out that fresh cranberries have so much more to offer than just being boiled up into a sauce. I like to hedge my bets and stock up the minute I see them. Remember the great pumpkin shortages of ’06, ’08, ’09, and ’11? I don’t take any chances with my fall staples.
I use them like any other berry, there’s no need to cook them first or add a lot of sugar. They burst open in the oven and form a ruby red layer in these bars that has a wonderful lemony tartness.
These are perfect for pot-lucks, bake sales, book groups, office parties, all that stuff. They pack and travel well, and can be eaten with fingers or forks. I think these are the easiest of all the crumble bars that I’ve made (and I’ve made a lot) because the cranberries just get scattered in between the layers of shortbread dough. There’s only one bowl to worry about, no nuts to chop, no spices to measure. This is definitely one of those recipes that could become habit forming, in a good way.
The cranberries get even more brilliant red when they bake, so these bars are especially pretty.
A few other scrumptious fresh cranberry recipes —
Baked Brie with Maple Roasted Cranberries
Fresh Cranberry White Chocolate Scones
Fresh Cranberry Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 Tbsp vanilla bean paste, or vanilla extract
- 2 cups cake flour, or you can use regular flour
- 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries, rinsed and patted dry
Instructions
- Set the oven to 350F
- Cream the butter and sugar together. Beat in the salt and vanilla.
- Mix in the flour, just until combined.
- Line an 8x8 or 9x9 baking pan with parchment paper or foil with overhanging edges, this will make it easy to lift the bars out of the pan for cutting. Alternatively you can just lightly spray the pan with non-stick spray.
- Using your fingers, pat 2/3 of the dough into the bottom of the pan. The dough will be soft and sticky, do your best to cover the entire surface of the bottom, but you don't need to compact the dough, just lightly pat it down.
- Spread the cranberries out across the dough, and then, using your fingers again, crumble the remaining dough on top. Try to get the dough in smallish crumbles, but don't worry about covering all the cranberries, they will show through.
- Bake for about 45-50 minutes until just beginning to get golden around the edges.
- Cool on a rack.
113 Comments
Wendy
March 31, 2020 at 9:01 amWell, the pandemic is here and, like most of the world, we are making use of what we have in the house. Which for us includes four bags of cranberries in the freezer since Thanksgiving. Not sure what I was thinking at the time, but now that I’ve found your recipe I know exactly what I am going to do with them. Thanks for the great idea! Our memories of being housebound will involve many yummy servings of this sweet treat.
Sue
March 31, 2020 at 9:20 amI only wish I had some leftover bags in the freezer, used mine long ago :/ I hope you enjoy them, Wendy ~ stay safe and healthy!
Maggie
February 22, 2020 at 8:43 amAmazing recipe – thank you
We found it hard not to eat the whole cake in one evening!!
Could I use frozen cranberries or would it make the cake too soggy?
This will become one of our favourites.
Sue
February 22, 2020 at 1:13 pmGlad you liked these Maggie ~ I’m not sure about the frozen berries, they might make the bars soggy but I’m not certain. It’s worth a try, for sure.
Elise Starbird
February 28, 2020 at 2:02 pmHi! I have made this 3 or 4 times now & always use frozen berries. It is delicious every time. Never soggy. Hope this helps!
Sue
February 28, 2020 at 2:58 pmThanks Elise 🙂
Helen
February 14, 2020 at 5:25 pmLove this recipe. It had me at cranberry!!!!!!! Made it exactly as the recipe suggested and it was perfect. It’s a keeper and l’ll make it again and again. Thank you 🙂
Michelle Love
December 29, 2019 at 4:34 pmI love this recipe so much that I decided to try it with blueberries instead so my husband would love it too. LOL.
Now I need HELP. I made it twice before with cranberries and it turned out perfect but the one time I try blueberries the bottom crust comes out rock hard. ?? Completely inedibly hard. I have no idea why it would come out differently when I didn’t make any changes to the dough. ? Any idea?
Sue
December 29, 2019 at 4:48 pmI don’t know what could have changed Michelle, but it does sound like something was different to make it come out that way. Did you by chance pack it down really hard that time? Or could the oven have been hotter?
Michelle Love
December 29, 2019 at 5:01 pmThe oven was set at 350° just like the first two batches. I suppose it is possible I may have patted down the bottom crust more this time around. Would that cause it to harden?
Sue
December 29, 2019 at 5:14 pmIt doesn’t seem like it would make that much difference…but I always make sure not to cram it in real tightly.
Michelle Love
December 29, 2019 at 6:22 pmI’ll try it again in the next couple days and update. ?
Michelle Love
December 31, 2019 at 5:22 pmUpdate:
I tried it with blueberries again and it turned out perfect! With the cranberries I ended up needing to leave it in for 50-55 mins so that’s what I did with the first batch of blueberry ones. This batch I only put in for the 45 mins and I didn’t pack down the bottom crust and I guess that did the trick.
Thank you for this recipe. It will forever be a favorite of mine! ?
Sue
December 31, 2019 at 5:39 pmI’m so relieved you worked it out, I’ll try it with blueberries next time.
Michelle Love
December 27, 2019 at 5:52 pmI don’t bake often but these looked easy enough so I tried them. Twice. Family loved them! As did I.
Now I’m wondering…. Do you think blueberries would work just as well in place of the cranberries?
Sue
December 27, 2019 at 8:42 pmI think they would work well.
Melissa
October 17, 2020 at 6:45 pmLove this recipe! I found it last year and have been waiting for cranberries to appear this year so I could make again! Next time I’m at the store I’m going to stock up so I can make these all winter! Really easy and delicious!!
Kelly
December 8, 2019 at 6:55 pmVery good and easy to follow! Only thing I did differently is add a little bit of cinnamon to the cranberries and sprinkled a little bit of sugar on the top before baking. Everyone loved them!
molli hamilton
November 28, 2019 at 10:04 amI made this yesterday and served today with our Thanksgiving dinner. It was a huge hit! Thanks so much for the easy and delicious recipie!
Sue
November 28, 2019 at 11:06 amThank you Molli and Happy Thanksgiving to you too :))
Angela
November 27, 2019 at 6:36 pmI love this recipei have made it the last 3 years to take to thanksgiving, its yummy and delicious!
Dee
January 8, 2019 at 7:37 pmThese are good. The first time I made them the dough wasn’t sweet enough. They were still good but the second time I made them I used a full cup of sugar and added 2T of brown sugar to the topping. I also added small chocolate chips. It was amazing with chocolate.
Sue
January 9, 2019 at 9:04 amOooh, the chocolate sounds good!
Angela Shanaway
December 29, 2018 at 8:56 pmThese are so good!! I have 3 boys and they love them!!
Jean
December 24, 2018 at 4:31 pmLove this recipe! Not too sweet!
I use only 1/2 cup sugar. Substitute 1 cup of flour with almond flour and heaped the flours when measuring. I also added some almond abstract and toasted sliced almond. Doubled the cranberry. Tasted amazing!
Kristin
December 23, 2018 at 9:00 amThese are delicious! I added white chocolate chips ??
Sue
December 23, 2018 at 9:09 amThat’s such a nice combination!
Betina Martin
December 20, 2018 at 11:47 pmI made these for Thanksgiving, I doubled the recipe and used a 13×9 pan, I also added a bit of Lemon Zest and lemon juice to the dough and tossed the cranberries in cinnamon and they were a hit. Made them again tonight the same way but added walnut pieces and they are amazing!!! Thank you so much for the recipe
Sue
December 21, 2018 at 7:32 amSounds like you got a tradition in the making, so glad it worked out for you Betina!
Susannah Strong
December 7, 2018 at 4:46 pmHi Sue,
I made your cranberry bars recipe! I was in fact so easy, and came out full of flavor. Thanks so much! I also wrote about your recipe in my blog and referenced you and your site. https://homeandhearth.blog/2018/12/07/cranberry-shortbread-bars/
Sue
December 7, 2018 at 4:57 pmOh yours look beautiful Susannah, thanks for coming back here to let me know 🙂
Jessica Hardin
December 4, 2018 at 8:52 pmI made this for Thanksgiving and it was so good, it was gone even with having pies and other choices. The flaky crust layers mixed with the delightful tangy cranberries huge hit. I got cranberries from my CSA share tonight and plan to make this again! I made extra dough so the top was completely covered and added two extra tablespoons of sugar.
Tricia
December 1, 2018 at 10:25 amI have made low carb version of this twice with coconut flower and stevia, always turned out great. The color is adorable and the aroma of coconut goes well with cranberries.
Thank you for the great recipe!
Sue
December 1, 2018 at 10:44 amNice to know. thanks!
Susan
November 30, 2018 at 1:24 pmI came across this recipe whilst searching for something to make with the whole cranberries I have left from Thanksgiving! We’re having Christmas cookie baking day tomorrow (me, my daughter and my DIL) and I’m going to try these! This is supposed to be bake and freeze, then bring out for various events, but not sure these will make it to the freezer, they look so good!
Sue
November 30, 2018 at 1:52 pmI love cookie baking days…have fun!
Susan
December 4, 2018 at 9:00 amMade them, and they are a hit!
Carol Miner
November 30, 2018 at 7:12 amIf I didn’t cut these, do you think they would ship well?
Sue
November 30, 2018 at 7:13 amIf you wrap them well and wedge them in between bubble wrap or something that prevents them from shifting at all, they’d be fine.
Alia
November 21, 2018 at 10:20 pmI have been making these every Thanksgiving for the past four years. They are so delicious! My son looks forward to them every year (as do I). Thanks for such a simple and delicious way to use up that extra bag of cranberries.
Chris
November 18, 2018 at 8:24 amSue, I made this last year with regular flour and loved them! I made them this morning and used cake flour and they are delicious. I love this recipe! So pretty to serve as well. It’s a keeper! Thank you!
Sue
November 18, 2018 at 11:22 amI keep forgetting to get cake flour, I love what it does to baked goods…glad you liked this and enjoy your holidays 🙂
Kristen
November 17, 2018 at 2:40 pmI would like to make these in a half sheet pan. Do you think tripling the recipe would work? I’ve had success doing that with a brownie recipe that calls for an 8×8 pan.
Sue
November 17, 2018 at 3:11 pmI think that should work!
Kristen
November 18, 2018 at 4:11 pmThey were a huge hit! I received a lot of requests for the recipe. Thank you for such a delicious and easy treat!
Lacy
January 20, 2018 at 2:07 pmI’m a little late making these, but I’m stuck at home in the snow with only salted butter – will it work to use, and just leave out the salt calledfoe in the recipe? Thanks!!
Sue
January 20, 2018 at 2:28 pmI think that will be just fine, and enjoy your snow day!
Kristen
November 17, 2018 at 4:35 pmIn the oven now. Looks great so far!
Suwin
December 17, 2017 at 8:38 amDear Sue, Thank you so much for posting this recipe–it’s absolutely delicious! I’ve made it 3 times since Thanksgiving and it’s been a hit every single time. Yesterday’s version was for a holiday party so I made them in springform pans. By lining with parchment on the bottom, I was able to display them as a beautiful round “pie” even after slicing into squares. Doubling the recipe resulted in the perfect quantity for a 10″ AND an 8″ round pan. I have been using a little less butter (1.75 sticks instead of 2) and regular flour and it comes out great! Next time I’ll try adding orange zest to the berry layer.
Sue
December 17, 2017 at 8:43 amI love the idea of serving it in the round, thanks for the tip Suwin. And orange zest sounds amazing, why didn’t I think of that??
Kelly
December 16, 2017 at 9:12 amJust whipped these up with some leftover fresh cranberries from the holiday and they turned out amazing !!!
Sue
December 16, 2017 at 9:25 amEnjoy Kelly, just thinking about them makes my mouth water!
Tommy
December 5, 2017 at 4:04 pmGetting ready to make this. Two sticks of butter for a 8×8 pans seems like a lot. But nobody has mentioned so I guess it’s fine.
Sue
December 5, 2017 at 4:50 pmIt’s a butter shortbread type dough, Tommy, I use this proportion in most of my crumble bars and they turn out delicious!
Tommy
December 17, 2017 at 12:59 pmThey were great! Made them twice already and of I get off here I’ll make another batch. I was low on butter and finished with shortening the first time. Worked fine.
Tommy
December 17, 2017 at 1:01 pmBy the way I used whole wheat pastry flour (fine).
Sue
December 17, 2017 at 1:21 pmThanks Tommy!
Toko
November 23, 2017 at 11:11 amHi, sue
Thank you so much for the quick reply.
I’ll try the “flour method” next time, which will be Christmas.
I hope the dough will be easier to handle, because this recipe is definitely a keeper.
Thank you again! Happy Thanksgiving to you, too.
Toko
November 23, 2017 at 8:53 amI made this last year for thanksgiving dinner and everyone liked it.
I used AP flour and regular butter omitting adding salt, just because that’s I always have in the house and I hate buying something just for this recipe.
Anyways, it came out delicious, so I decided to make it again this year.
Actually, it’s in the oven right now:)
This time I decided to follow your recipe exactly using cake flour and unsalted butter.
…dough is SO sticky, I had very hard time spreading it in the pan.
They stuck to my fingers. Using non stick spatula did not help.
I don’t recall this happened last year.
Any suggestion?
Shall I put the dough in the fridge for a while first?
I’d appreciate any suggestions.
Thank you in advance.
Sue
November 23, 2017 at 9:08 amThe shortbread dough is sticky, Toko, and sometimes I’ll flour my fingers to help with the sticking. So don’t worry, that’s the way it’s supposed to be! Happy Thanksgiving 🙂
Katie
November 19, 2017 at 5:02 pmI made these tonight and they came out delicious! My husband and I had a hard time waiting for them because they smelled so amazing in the oven! Yours look much thinner than mine, but I used a 9×9 pan…. how do you think they’d do in a 13×9 at less time?
Sue
November 19, 2017 at 5:29 pmThanks Katie, I’m so glad you liked these. I think you might be able to double the recipe and make it in the larger pan. I think the baking time should be a little longer, if you double the recipe that is.
Patti J. Stewart
November 10, 2017 at 1:52 pmOh my! Your recipe is making it to the family recipe box of thing we have to make. What a hit, Sue. Thank you for making a wonderful and wicked easy recipe. Dave and I love them and I am sure the entire family will for the holidays. I wanted to add a picture, but could not get it to happen. They came out just perfect.
Patti J. Stewart
November 10, 2017 at 12:26 pmCan these be frozen? I have one batch in the oven right now. Added some coconut, almonds slices, and a few white chocolate chips. I would love to make these up ahead of time.
Sue
November 10, 2017 at 12:27 pmYes, sure!
Linda
October 19, 2017 at 4:19 pmOur hostess at my bible study last night made these, and ALL of us asked for the recipe. They were fantastic!!
Sue
October 19, 2017 at 4:24 pmThat’s so great ~ I hope I made a few new readers 🙂
Patti J. Stewart
November 10, 2017 at 1:06 pmThanks Sue,
Seen I added the same question. Sorry about that and you sure are good at a quick reply. One minute to go and they smell soooo good.
Mandy
October 4, 2017 at 12:59 pmThanks so much for the fantastic recipe! My family has a new fav! We are cranberry farmers so we eat a lot of cranberries and I am always on the hunt for new recipes to use. Love how much of a fan you are of cranberries…its amazing how many people don’t know how to use them besides in cranberry sauce!
Sue
October 4, 2017 at 1:35 pmOh wow, I love this Mandy, i’m so glad you came back to comment ~ what an honor to have this recipe approved by a cranberry farmer! I need to feature you on the blog, let’s talk!
Mandy
October 4, 2017 at 7:42 pmSounds like fun! We are cranberry farming in beautiful, British Columbia, Canada. My husband was in the bog today pumping the fresh berries to ship out. We also just polished off the last bit of a batch of your recipe tonight! My kids can’t get enough! Feel free to connect with me @ [email protected]
Megan
March 16, 2017 at 1:52 pmTHESE were AWESOME! I managed to find fresh cranberries in March here in Florida. I shared with friends and received many compliments–great recipe!
Sue
March 16, 2017 at 2:16 pmOh wow, how did you ever find fresh cranberries in March, and in Florida of all places? I’m thrilled you liked them Megan, thanks for letting me know 🙂
Rebecca McCloud
January 11, 2017 at 12:57 pmOh my, these are the absolute best!! I love using fresh cranberries and this was just too easy. I’m not a great baker/cook so generally follow recipes to the letter. Will be making these often.
Sue
January 11, 2017 at 1:23 pmI’m always so happy to hear about recipe successes, Rebecca, thanks! I love fresh cranberries, too, I stocked my freezer this year!
Saleena Shamin
November 23, 2016 at 10:25 pmDid the bars come out wet from the oven? Mine did and its a bit concerning. But I’m letting it dry now. Hopefully it will harden.
Pamela
January 6, 2016 at 5:19 pmIf I was going to use some cranberries I had frozen…would I defrost first or put in frozen? Thanks 🙂
Sue
January 6, 2016 at 5:23 pmI think I’d put them in frozen, Pamela. Whenever I defrost cranberries they seem to get all mushy.
Julie
November 24, 2015 at 9:10 pmSo good! I added pine nuts and powdered sugar to my topping. I also tossed cranberries with sugar. Although I love the tartness, I wanted to cater to a wider audience. So good! Will be reposting my experience soon!
Sue
November 25, 2015 at 6:39 amSo glad they were a hit for you Julie, I look forward to your post!
Brittany
November 27, 2014 at 6:41 amThese were so easy to make and turned out so delicious! I sprinkled sugar on top for a little bit of sweetness. Other than that, they were great! Taking them to Thanksgiving dinner today! Thanks!
Sue
November 27, 2014 at 12:29 pmHave a wonderful day, Brittany!
Melissa
October 20, 2014 at 9:34 pmSo this may be a year late, but wow! I have to admit, I threw in about 1/4 cup of good quality almond paste to the dough. It made these absolutely unbelievable! I also King Arthur Glazing Sugar (sugar and maltodextrin) with milk and almond extract (I like my almond). You could use powdered sugar as well.These are on the top of the holiday baking list for sure.
Sue
October 21, 2014 at 7:08 amWow, I don’t think I’ve ever mixed cranberry and almond, and I LOVE almond. I’ll have to try this, thanks Melissa!
Erin
December 24, 2013 at 8:33 amOh my GOD these are incredible!!!! Made them yesterday and brought them to work, they were gone in minutes. I even got the comment that they were “life-changing” they were so good!! Making more tonight!
Katherine
November 24, 2013 at 8:26 pmOMG! Just made this! They are soooo good! Was looking for a easy cranberry recipe but yours is the easiest and the tastiest ! Not a expert of baking and normally my husband doesn’t like my cookies( well he says he likes then but he nicer really eat them!) but they turn out so good! Not to mention I did add a little bit more cranberry in it because I like it a little bit tart.
Sue
November 25, 2013 at 6:54 amSo glad they worked out for you, Katherine — better stock up on the fresh cranberries while they’re around!
Heidi
November 15, 2013 at 12:41 amI have made these bars!! They are so buttery and the cranberries give them a tart, sweet bite!! I could hardly stop eating them!!
Vicki
November 14, 2013 at 9:21 pmDo these freeze/keep
well. I thought of doing in a Xmas cookie exchange
Sue
November 15, 2013 at 7:18 amI think they would freeze perfectly, Vicki.
Lorraine
October 27, 2013 at 3:09 amI found you’re recipe via Facebook and adapted the recipe as I only had blueberries and rhubarb and it’s superb with any fruit!
Sue
October 27, 2013 at 7:48 amIt really is, I have several more recipes like this one, Lorraine, and I’m slowly working my way through all the fruits I can think of 🙂
Patti J. Stewart
November 10, 2017 at 12:37 pmOh just asked the same question Sue, sorry about that will make up a second batch and freeze these right up for the hubby when I have little time for cooking/baking. Sue again what a great recipe.
Paula B.
October 11, 2013 at 5:05 pmFirst time visit here and I think these bars are going to have to get made very soon. I love all things “cranberry” so it’s great to have a new dessert to make. I’ve been on the Cape for several weekends recently and have seen (very) fresh cranberries being sold from the backs of people’s cars, I wonder what everybody’s making? Heading now to look through all your lovely recipes.
Sue
October 11, 2013 at 5:50 pmI envy you being on the Cape at this time of year! I made a cranberry butter last week that I’ll be sharing on the blog soon, that’s a good way to use up an overabundance of berries.
Elizabeth
October 11, 2013 at 12:35 pmOh my goodness these looks heavenly. I have to make these and those flourless chocolate chip cookies RIGHT NOW.
THANK YOU.
Elizabeth
Dina
October 10, 2013 at 8:52 amI saw some fresh cranberries at the farmers’ market and I was thinking, what could I do with those? these bars look great!
grace
October 9, 2013 at 12:52 pmi love seeing fresh cranberries finally on store shelves. this is a pretty and tasty use for them!
[email protected] is How I Cook
October 8, 2013 at 9:27 pmI love the true red color in these. And how simple they are. I think I may fall in love!
shannon
October 8, 2013 at 12:42 pmi LOVE that this is a minimal monday post: cranberry bars with few ingredients? sold. i can’t wait to make these. i haven’t seen cranberries yet in the markets, but i haven’t really set about looking for them either. that changes today, thanks to these. gorgeous, Sue.
Eileen
October 8, 2013 at 10:49 amHooray, cranberries! We still have some in our freezer from last fall, and now I think I know just what to do with them. 🙂
Sue
October 8, 2013 at 11:11 amWow, mine never last that long!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert
October 8, 2013 at 9:29 amThese are so pretty. Love the vibrant red color. I guess a trip to the store is needed asap!
Karen Harris
October 8, 2013 at 8:06 amIs it that time already?! These look delicious and so simple to make. These will definitely make an appearance in my kitchen soon.
Sue
October 8, 2013 at 8:34 amI know…right about now the days start whizzing by at warp speed…
Julie
October 8, 2013 at 7:07 amI have been getting email notifications for your blog posts for only a short time but so look forward to them. This is another wonderful recipe I am going to try. Thanks so much for sharing!
Sue
October 8, 2013 at 8:40 amThanks Julie, glad to have you with us!
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
October 7, 2013 at 8:55 pmI love cranberry bars, these are so pretty!
Denise @ magnoliaverandah
October 7, 2013 at 5:04 pmOh YES the perfect Christmas nibble! How beautiful do they look and no sugar – this is a bonus!
Mary
October 7, 2013 at 2:38 pmThese look awesome, Sue! Thanks for the link to my cake as well. I just took some cranberries out of the freezer this afternoon to play with a gluten free version.:)
Averie @ Averie Cooks
October 7, 2013 at 11:49 amI almost never (ever?) see anyone bake with fresh cranberries and not doctor them up in a sugary sauce first or feel the need to first cook them down. I love this idea, Sue, of just adding them and treating them like any other berry!
Dom
October 7, 2013 at 9:52 amdare I say these are almost christmassy!… they look so special and I bet they’re just the right (or wrong) side of tart!.. I love ’em!
Sue
October 7, 2013 at 10:57 amVery Christmassy, I was going to say they would look very holiday-ish on a tray garnished with something green.