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Crispy Cranberry Orange Thanksgiving Pie Bars

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These crispy cranberry orange Thanksgiving pie bars offer a perfect balance of tart and sweet with a crunchy shortbread crust and chewy fruit filling. They are easy to make, crowd-pleasing, and perfect for holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon powdered sugar (for dusting, optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9 inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides, and grease lightly.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, softened butter, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, brown sugar, and salt. Mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  3. Press the crust mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan using the bottom of a measuring cup.
  4. Bake the crust for 10-12 minutes until lightly golden. Remove from oven and set aside, leaving the oven on.
  5. While the crust bakes, combine dried cranberries, orange juice, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, cornstarch, orange zest, and cinnamon in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
  6. Stir constantly until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes. The filling should be glossy.
  7. Pour the hot filling over the baked crust and spread evenly with a spatula. Sprinkle with nuts if using.
  8. Return the pan to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until edges are bubbly and golden, and the center is set but slightly jiggly.
  9. Remove from oven and let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This step is crucial for clean cuts.
  10. Once cool, lift the bars out using the parchment paper and cut into 12-16 squares. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.

Notes

Ensure butter is softened but not melted for the best crust texture. Do not slice the bars while hot, as they will fall apart. If using fresh cranberries, chop them finely and add an extra tablespoon of cornstarch. For a gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry bars, orange dessert, thanksgiving dessert, holiday baking, easy bars, cranberry orange pie bars, crispy dessert

Find it online: https://blingbite.com/crispy-cranberry-orange-thanksgiving-pie-bars-5-easy-holiday-desserts/