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Cranberry Shortbread Bars

11/22/17

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Cranberry Shortbread Bars make a delicious treat for the holidays and are the perfect way to use up any leftover cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving!

Cranberry Shortbread Bars are the perfect way to use up leftover cranberry sauce
Post updated November 2017 from original 2015 post

The holidays are here! Can you believe it! With all the holiday dinners, cranberry sauce is sure to make an appearance at the dinner table. I love the pop of color it adds plus it helps to offset the richness from the other dishes.

Do you always find that you have cranberry sauce leftover though? If you’re looking for another way to use up any of the leftover sauce, these Cranberry Shortbread Bars make a delightful treat and go perfectly with a nice cup of tea.

HOW TO MAKE CRANBERRY SHORTBREAD BARS

They start off with an easy shortbread cookie base that you bake for around 15 minutes.

Once the dough has cooled slightly, spread a layer of cranberry sauce over and pop it back in the oven for another 7 minutes.

Cranberry Shortbread Bars are the perfect way to use up leftover cranberry sauce
Cranberry Shortbread Bars are the perfect way to use up leftover cranberry sauce

Allow them to cool slightly then slice them up into bars. As much as I love making cookies around the holidays, bars are SO much easier to make and transport.

These fresh cranberry sauce adds a bit of sweetness as well as some tartness to balance out the rich, buttery crust.


Cranberry Shortbread Bars are the perfect way to use up leftover cranberry sauce
These Cranberry Shortbread bars would make a festive treat and perfect for any holiday dessert table. 
 

Print
Cranberry Shortbread Bars
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
35 mins
 

Cranberry Shortbread Bars make a delicious treat for the holidays and are the perfect way to use up any leftover cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving!

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Holiday
Keyword: christmas desserts, cranberry dessert, cranberry shortbread bars, easy fruit dessert, holiday dessert recipes, shortbread bars, thanksgiving dessert ideas
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 238 kcal
Ingredients
Shortbread Bars:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 2/3 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Topping:
  • 3 cups apple cranberry sauce
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F Degrees.
  2. Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper and set aside
  3. In a medium bowl, beat together butter and sugar until light and creamy.
  4. Add vanilla extract, and slowly mix flour until just combined.
  5. Press shortbread dough in prepared pan and bake for 15-18 minutes or until edges are golden brown.
  6. Let cool slightly before adding topping.
  7. Spread cranberry topping (see notes for a link to recipe) smoothly over shortbread with a spatula.

  8. Return to oven and bake for another 7-8 minutes.
  9. Cool completely in pan prior to cutting into bar or placed in fridge to speed up the cooling process. Lift out of the pan using parchment paper. Cut into squares before serving.
  10. Stored in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Recipe Notes

Shortbread Bars adapted from Taste of Home

You can find the apple cranberry sauce recipe here

Nutrition Facts
Cranberry Shortbread Bars
Amount Per Serving (1 bar (1/12 recipe))
Calories 238 Calories from Fat 135
% Daily Value*
Fat 15g23%
Saturated Fat 9g45%
Cholesterol 40mg13%
Sodium 2mg0%
Potassium 26mg1%
Carbohydrates 22g7%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 475IU10%
Calcium 8mg1%
Iron 1mg6%
* Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy using the WPRM recipe calculator. It is best to make your own calculations to ensure accuracy. We expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Cranberry Shortbread Bars are the perfect way to use up leftover cranberry sauce

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36 Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas
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Cranberry Shortbread Bars are just perfect for using up any leftover cranberry sauce
 
Cranberry Shortbread Bars are just perfect for using up any leftover cranberry sauce 

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Posted November 22, 2017 In Bars and Brownies, Christmas, Dessert, Thanksgiving

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DISCLAIMER: Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy using the WPRM recipe calculator. It is best to make your own calculations to ensure accuracy. We expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website.



Comments

  1. Graham @ Glazed & Confused -

    December 23, 2015 at 9:15 am

    Cranberry bars = heaven! Even though I’ve been abusing the cranberries, my mouth is watering for this!

    Reply
  2. Cindy @ Pick Fresh Foods -

    December 23, 2015 at 9:05 am

    Wow, the color of the cranberries is beautiful! These bars looks delicious! Just gotta Pin these 😀

    Reply
  3. Lokness @ The Missing Lokness -

    December 23, 2015 at 7:55 am

    Love shortbread! Sounds delicious!

    Reply
  4. Consuelo @ Honey & Figs -

    December 23, 2015 at 7:42 am

    I’m a big fan of citrusy dessert and I’m sure that cranberries make such a lovely addition! These bars look spectacular, thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  5. Karen (Back Road Journal) -

    December 23, 2015 at 6:35 am

    What a pretty little dessert…so colorful and I’m sure delicious.

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Kelly. I'm a mom of two who shares healthier and authentic Asian recipes I grew up making. Plus low carb & family friendly recipes. About Work With Me

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