These Moist Christmas Cranberry Bars are the ultimate holiday dessert—soft, chewy, and bursting with tart cranberries balanced by just the right amount of sweetness. Each bite is like Christmas wrapped in a bar, with a tender crumb and festive flavor that’s perfect for cookie swaps, family gatherings, or a cozy night in by the tree. Easy to make with simple pantry ingredients, these bars come together in under an hour and stay deliciously moist for days. A quick dusting of powdered sugar makes them extra magical on your holiday dessert table.
Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Servings: 16 bars
Ingredients List
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs (room temperature)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups fresh or frozen cranberries (halved)
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Parchment paper
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Cooling rack
Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly mix into wet ingredients.
- Gently fold in cranberries and nuts (if using). The batter will be thick.
- Spread evenly into prepared dish and bake for 30–35 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool completely, then dust with powdered sugar before slicing into bars.
Pro Tips
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
- Substitutions: Swap walnuts for white chocolate chips for extra sweetness.
- Make-Ahead: Bake a day early and store covered—they taste even better the next day.
- Serving Idea: Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a festive dessert.
Nutrition Table
| Serving Size | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bar | 210 | 3g | 28g | 10g | 2g | 18g |
Disclaimer: Nutrition facts are estimated using online tools and may vary based on your ingredients and preparation.
Moist Christmas Cranberry Bars
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly fold into wet mixture until combined.
- Gently fold in halved cranberries and optional nuts. Batter will be thick.
- Spread batter evenly into prepared dish. Bake for 30–35 minutes until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool completely on a rack. Dust with powdered sugar before slicing into bars and serving.
