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Cranberry Lemon Bars

Tangy Cranberry Lemon Bars: Sweet Meets Tart Delight

Enjoy these Cranberry Lemon Bars, a delightful balance of sweet and tart flavors perfect for any gathering.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Chilling Time 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 12 bars
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American
Calories: 210

Ingredients
  

For the Cranberry Filling
  • 8 ounces Fresh Cranberries Frozen berries can be used without thawing.
  • 1/2 cup Water No substitutions required.
  • 6 tablespoons Granulated Sugar Adjust to taste as needed.
For the Buttery Shortbread Crust
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter Salted butter can work too; just reduce added salt.
  • 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract Opt for natural vanilla for the best taste.
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt No substitutions required.
  • 1 cup + 1 All-Purpose Flour Can substitute with gluten-free flour blends if needed.
For the Lemon Custard Layer
  • 3 large Eggs Room temperature eggs integrate better.
  • 1/2 cup Fresh Lemon Juice Always use fresh juice for optimal taste.
  • 1 cup Granulated Sugar Feel free to adjust for a more intense tart flavor.
  • 3 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
Optional for Serving
  • Powdered Sugar This is optional but recommended for aesthetics.

Equipment

  • 9-inch square baking dish
  • Saucepan
  • Mixing bowl
  • spatula
  • whisk

Method
 

Cranberry Preparation
  1. Begin by rinsing 8 ounces of fresh cranberries under cool water. In a saucepan, combine the cranberries with 1/2 cup of water and 6 tablespoons of sugar. Cook over medium heat for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and soften into a thick sauce. Allow the mixture to cool for 30 minutes before using.
Crust Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a 9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper for easy removal. In a mixing bowl, blend 1/2 cup of melted unsalted butter, 1/4 cup of sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Gradually add 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour, mixing until a soft dough forms. Press this dough evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 16-18 minutes.
Lemon Layer Preparation
  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons of flour and 1 cup of sugar until blended. Add 3 large eggs and 1/2 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Whisk until smooth.
Layer Assembly
  1. Once the cranberry mixture has cooled, pour it evenly over the baked shortbread crust. Cover and refrigerate for about 45 minutes.
Final Baking
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Pour the lemon mixture over the chilled cranberry layer and bake for 43-45 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 1 hour.
Serving
  1. Place the pan in the refrigerator for an additional 1-2 hours to firm up the layers. Dust with powdered sugar just before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1barCalories: 210kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 2gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 100mgPotassium: 100mgFiber: 1gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 5IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 4mg

Notes

Ensure the crust covers the entire bottom to prevent leakage. Use room temperature eggs for the best consistency in the lemon layer.

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