Description
Sweet, tangy, and beautifully layered, these Cranberry Lemon Bars are the perfect treat for any season. With a buttery shortbread crust, a bright lemon custard center, and a jammy cranberry topping, they strike a balance of texture and flavor in every bite. Whether you’re hunting for quick breakfast ideas, easy dessert recipes, or festive food ideas, these bars fit right in. Ideal for brunch spreads, potlucks, or just a quiet afternoon snack, this easy recipe is sure to impress!
Ingredients
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
4 large eggs
½ cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest
2 cups fresh cranberries
¼ cup orange juice
½ cup powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, combine flour, ½ cup sugar, and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly. Press into pan and bake for 18–20 minutes until golden.
3. While crust bakes, whisk together eggs, 1 cup sugar, lemon juice, zest, and ¼ cup flour until smooth.
4. Pour lemon mixture over baked crust and return to oven for 20–25 minutes, until the center is just set.
5. In a saucepan, combine cranberries, ½ cup sugar, and orange juice. Simmer 10 minutes until thick and jammy. Let cool slightly.
6. Once lemon layer has cooled 10 minutes, gently spread cranberry mixture on top.
7. Let bars cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
8. Lift bars out using parchment, slice into squares, and dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
Always use fresh lemons for the best citrus flavor in the filling.
Don’t skip chilling—the layers set better and slice cleanly.
Press crust evenly and firmly to avoid crumbling after baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: cranberry lemon bars, dessert bars, easy dessert, holiday treats, lemon dessert, baking recipe