Cranberry Curd Bars

Total Time Prep: 25 min. Bake: 35 min.
Yield 9 servings
Test Kitchen Approved
A festive fall twist on classic lemon bars, these cranberry curd bars feature a homemade cranberry filling that delivers vibrant color and bright, seasonal flavor.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
  • CRANBERRY CURD:
  • 1 package (12 ounces) fresh cranberries
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup orange juice
  • 3 tablespoons grated orange zest
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • 5 large egg yolks, room temperature
  • Confectioners' sugar, optional

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line an 8-in. square baking pan with parchment, letting ends extend up sides.
  2. In a bowl, combine the flour, butter and confectioners' sugar. Pat into prepared pan. Bake until golden brown, 18-20 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, to make the curd, place cranberries, sugar, and orange juice in a large saucepan. Cook over medium heat until cranberries burst, 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let slightly cool. Transfer to a blender; puree until smooth. Send mixture through a fine mesh sieve; discard solids. Stir in orange zest, butter and egg yolks until smooth.
  4. Pour cranberry curd evenly over crust. Bake until curd is set and top appears dull, 15-20 minutes. Let cool on wire rack to room temperature. Refrigerate until fully chilled, about 1 hour. Sprinkle with confectioners sugar, if desired, before serving.

Nutrition Facts

1 bar: 385 calories, 23g fat (14g saturated fat), 157mg cholesterol, 168mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein.

These cranberry curd bars are vibrant, creamy and packed with fall flavor. Fans of cranberry will be delighted to see these on the dessert tray. —Margaret Knoebel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Recipe Creator

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