Description
These Best Cranberry Lemon Bars feature a buttery, tender crust topped with a vibrant cranberry lemon filling. Perfectly balanced between tangy and sweet, these bars are ideal for holiday gatherings or any time you want a delightful citrus twist paired with the bright flavor of cranberries.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
Filling
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice (preferably from organic lemons)
- Zest of 2 lemons
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole-berry cranberry sauce (homemade if possible)
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9 x 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing some overhang for easy removal of the bars later.
- Make the crust: Beat the softened butter and ½ cup sugar together until fluffy and light. Add in the vanilla extract and flour, mixing just until a soft dough forms. Evenly spread the dough into the prepared baking pan, pressing into an even layer.
- Bake the crust: Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until it is lightly golden and set. Remove from oven and allow it to cool completely before adding the filling.
- Prepare lemon filling: In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, 1 cup sugar, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth and well combined. Sift in 2 tablespoons of flour and stir until the mixture is uniform.
- Add cranberry sauce and lemon filling: Once the crust has cooled, spread the whole-berry cranberry sauce evenly over it. Pour the lemon filling on top of the cranberry layer, smoothing it out carefully.
- Bake the assembled bars: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 30-35 minutes, or until the lemon filling is set and slightly firm to the touch.
- Cool and chill: Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature, then transfer to the refrigerator to chill for several hours until fully set and firm.
- Slice and serve: Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Slice into 12 squares and serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh organic lemons for juice and zest to enhance the citrus flavor.
- Homemade cranberry sauce adds more freshness and control over sweetness, but store-bought can also be used.
- Ensure crust is fully cooled before spreading the cranberry sauce and lemon filling to prevent them from mixing.
- Chilling the bars for several hours is crucial for the filling to fully set and hold together when sliced.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- These bars can be made a day ahead, making them perfect for preparing in advance for celebrations.
