These triple-layered lemon cranberry bars are so yummy. A buttery vanilla crust is topped with a jammy, lemon-spiked cranberry layer. The top is a fluffy egg and lemon mixture. Grab one of these delicious bars anytime you crave a tasty snack or an energy boost.
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Lemon cranberry bars are a great dessert for those who like sweet recipes but don’t have such a sweet tooth. After all, both cranberries and lemon offer a somewhat sharp bite and are balanced out by the sugar in the recipe. It’s easy to adjust the sweetness this way too, so if you want these more tart and less sweet, it’s easy as pie (no pun intended) to do.
Cranberries always conjure up visions of the holidays. Whether it’s Christmas, Thanksgiving, or not a festive time, these lemon cranberry bars are perfect! They’re simple enough for novice bakers to make and delicious enough to pass as a treat from the local bakery. Try them and see!
Cranberries are so festive! Just imagine sinking your teeth into one of these during the holidays. Yum! And while you're at it, whip up these easy cranberry almond biscotti and this cranberry coffee cake too.
Main Ingredients
You only need 8 different ingredients to make these tasty lemon cranberry bars, since some ingredients are repeated in the different layers. So grab the following ingredients and get ready for one of the best cranberry and lemon recipes you ever made!
- Cranberries: The main flavor in the lemon cranberry bars. I usually use fresh cranberries to make them, but after experimentation, I find there is very little difference when using frozen, so take your pick!
- Sugar: For sweetness. The amount of sugar used here is adjustable, so reduce it for a more tart taste or increase it for a sweeter one. White sugar pairs better with the ingredients than brown.
- Lemons: For an acidic tang. The zip of lemon complements the cranberries so well. You will need fresh lemon since you need both the peel and the juice for this recipe.
- Vanilla extract: To add another flavor to the bars. If there’s a dessert recipe vanilla doesn’t go with, I haven’t yet found it! Add an extra few drops of vanilla if you love the flavor.
- Eggs: For the perfect texture. Eggs combine with flour and sugar to get the consistency (as well as flavor) just right.
- Butter: To make the crust. I know some people like to sub margarine for butter in recipes and if you do, that’s fine. I personally love the rich flavor of real butter though. If you only have salted butter, omit half the salt from the recipe.
Instructions Overview
First, you mix the cranberries and sugar with lemon zest in a pan over heat until the mixture is thick and jammy. Next combine the flour, sugar, and salt in one bowl and the melted butter and vanilla in another.
Combine these two mixtures to make the crust layer and press it into a baking pan.
Now you just have to prepare the lemon layer. Combine some flour and sugar and then whisk in eggs and the juice from the lemons you already zested.
Bake the crust then add the cranberry mixture on top. Add the lemon mixture on top of that and then bake for another 20 minutes or so. Let the lemon cranberry bars cool and then chill them. Cut them into squares and get ready for a wonderful flavor experience in every bite!
Common Questions
Unlike strawberries or blackberries, for example, cranberries do have to be cooked. In any recipe where they’re added to something you’re going to bake, you need to cook them first and the simplest way to do this is in a pan on the stove with a little liquid. Once they burst open you can continue with the recipe. Take care not to overcook them else they will develop a bitter flavor.
These berries are safe to eat raw, but they’re tart and tangy that way and too bitter tasting for most people. They’re as tart as lemons actually since they are as high in acid and as low in sugar.
Follow the timings in the recipe. Ovens can be off by a few minutes so the best way to ensure they’re done is to check they are completely set. Give the baking pan a gentle shake to make sure.
We’ve all been there - something comes out of the oven looking a bit different from how you hoped! Did your lemon cranberry bars crack on top?
This can happen if you over-beat the filling or have the oven temperature set too high. It can also happen if you take them out of the oven and the room is cold. This drastic change in temperature can lead to cracks too. Luckily a sprinkling of powdered sugar will disguise them!
You can’t go wrong with a homemade bar if it’s snack time. These are also a nice part of a box lunch or picnic. The nutrients from the cranberries and lemon make them healthy. I love mine with a cup of coffee on the side. Don’t tell anyone, but sometimes I have two!
Yes, you can make them a few days ahead if you like. The difference isn’t really noticeable.
Keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5 or 6 days.
Definitely! Cut the cooled bars into squares then arrange them on a baking sheet to freeze. When solid, transfer them into a Ziploc bag.
This method is so they don’t stick together. They should keep for up to 4 months. You can either enjoy them frozen or let them thaw if you prefer them softer.
Tweaking the ingredients is a nice way of putting your own stamp on these lemon cranberry bars. Lime zest and juice would work just as well as the lemon if you prefer the flavor of lime.
I’m curious how grapefruit would work, although I haven’t tested that combo. Let me know if you do! Another variation would be using blueberries instead of cranberries. Blueberries are sweeter though, so you’d probably need less sugar.
Chopnotch Tips
- Use fresh or frozen cranberries, as you prefer. Do use fresh lemon though!
- Considering these keep for a while and are good frozen, it’s worth doubling or tripling the recipe to make a batch.
- Use vanilla paste or even a whole vanilla bean instead of the extract for a smoother, richer vanilla flavor.
Lemon cranberry bars are tangy, zesty, and delicious. Trust me, you are going to love the way these homemade bars taste!
Related Recipes
Let us know what you think! Give this recipe a rating in the comments section below.
Recipe
How to Make
Lemon Cranberry Bars
Ingredients
For the cranberry layer:
- 12 ounces cranberries, fresh or frozen
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
For the crust:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
For the lemon layer:
- 2 large lemons
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
Instructions
To make the cranberry layer:
- Combine the sugar and cranberries along with 3 tablespoons of water in a saucepan and zest both of the lemons directly into the pan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat while stirring and continue to boil until the berries break open and the mixture is jam-like. Remove the pan from the heat and set it aside.
To make the crust:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with a sheet of aluminum foil or parchment paper and spray generously with nonstick cooking spray. Leave some hanging over the two ends of the pan for easy removal later.
- Whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt in a mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk the vanilla into the melted butter, and then pour it into the flour mixture and mix until the dough comes together in a mass. Then press the dough into the prepared baking pan to form an even layer on the bottom of the pan and bake for about 18 minutes until dry and golden brown on top.
To make the lemon layer:
- Squeeze the juice from both of the zested lemons until you have about ½ cup of lemon juice.
- Whisk the sugar and flour in a medium bowl until well combined and then gently whisk in the eggs until just incorporated. Now add the lemon juice and gently stir until smooth.
To assemble:
- Once the crust is finished baking, let it cool for 5 minutes and then evenly spread the cranberry mixture over it to form the first layer. Then carefully spread the lemon mixture on top of that to create the second layer.
- Now return the pan to the oven and bake for another 20 minutes until the filling is set. Once set, remove from the oven, let cool completely, and transfer to the refrigerator to chill for 2 hours until firm. Once firm, use the foil or parchment paper to remove the bars from the pan onto a cutting board and cut into 24 squares with a sharp knife. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Use fresh or frozen cranberries, as you prefer. Do use fresh lemon though!
- Considering these keep for a while and are good frozen, it’s worth doubling or tripling the recipe to make a batch.
- Use vanilla paste or even a whole vanilla bean instead of the extract for a smoother, richer vanilla flavor.
I would like to make these for Christmas! But since we are cooking so much can I make these a day or two before? How long can they stay in the fridge?
Hi Kristyn, I'm so glad to hear that you're considering making this recipe for Christmas! Yes, you can totally make them a day or two before. Just keep them refrigerated in an airtight container and they will stay fresh for 5 - 6 days. Let me know how they turned out!
Made these with my leftover cranberry sauce. I boiled it again and it became a little thick, so I added the leftover lemon juice to get it back to jam consistency. The bars were lovely tart and lemony! Great combo - and idea to use the part of holiday meals I never know how to repurpose!
Thank you for trying our recipe, Carolyn! I'm so glad you enjoyed them. What a great way to use up leftover cranberry sauce. I hope you'll give them a try again soon!