Cranberry Bars with Shortbread Crust using leftover cranberry sauce. Cranberry shortbread bars made in a loaf pan to serve two.
Or, what I like to call Leftover Cranberry Sauce Bars.
You're going to have leftover cranberry sauce in a few weeks, this much I know.
I'm not sure why we keep insisting on making large batches of cranberry sauce, when in reality, people take approximately 1.73 teaspoons of cranberry sauce per pound of turkey on their plate.
I'm not complaining about leftover cranberry sauce one bit. I like to swirl it into my small cheesecake recipe (oh please make that with a gingersnap crust!). I like a big scoop of it on a grilled cheese made with Brie (also leftover from the cheese tray on Turkey Day!). And while I don't eat much pork, this recipe for cranberry pork chops is a good one--I stocked my freezer with two batches of it just days before I went into labor.
I might have just talked you into making a big batch of cranberry sauce.
I made these cranberry bars in a loaf pan with 1 ½ cups of leftover cranberry sauce. Scale up or down as you need.
The only thing not up for debate with this recipe is the powdered sugar sprinkle. Have a heavy hand, without apologies.
What kind of cranberry sauce can I use to make these cranberry bars?
I feel like I should say that the success of your cranberry bars depends on how good your cranberry sauce is. Fresh cranberry sauces and compotes made with apples, oranges, and nuts are all welcome here.
Personally, I make my cranberry sauce with orange zest, Cointreau and a heavy dose of vanilla bean. I highly recommend it, but just in case you don't make it my way, go ahead and stir in a little vanilla extract into your leftover sauce.
But, really, you do you--make your family's favorite sauce (just please don't crack a can), and then press the leftovers on top of my small batch shortbread crust. It's going to be great!
If you still find yourself with too many bags of cranberries, you have to make my slow cooker cranberry butter.
I hope these cranberry bars give you something to do with all of that leftover cranberry sauce!
If you have leftover dried cranberries, make my cranberry orange cookies!
Leftover cranberry sauce cookie bars.Cranberry Bars
Ingredients
Instructions
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
5
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 456Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 220mgCarbohydrates: 82gFiber: 1gSugar: 60gProtein: 3g
Tracy says
Mmm, these look delicious! What a perfect Thanksgiving dessert that's different from the usual pumpkin and apple pies.
Maria says
Perfect for Thanksgiving!
foodies at home says
These look fantastic! Have a great Thanksgiving wherever you are spending it!
Jenna says
The smoked turkey sounds amazing--I just can't believe your dad gets up every couple hours all night long to get it done! That's dedication to quality food!
Lauren at KeepItSweet says
love the color of cranberries, they look great!
Nancy says
Christina, I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! I always enjoy your recipes and narratives. These cranberry bars look yummy. I will think of you when making and serving them to all my loved ones. Enjoy!!
LimeCake says
perfect use for tart and zingy cranberries! this looks delicious!
sweetlife says
Oh what a great idea, i love short bread and cranberries..well they are a must for Thanksgiving..glad you gave your mom a break, mine welll she has officially retired from Thanksgiving...we take over now, I of course enjoy the pressure..have a great thanksgiving!!
HUGS from Edinburg, texas
sweetlife
blackbookkitchendiaries says
what a pretty looking bar:)...im sure it is just delish!! thanks for sharing and happy thanksgiving to you and your family.
Tom says
I'm having trouble with the concept of leftover cranberry sauce..... I guess I just need to make MUCH larger batches. We tend to freeze berries and make cranberry sauce all year round.
Christina Lane says
We are the same way--so tangy and so good on so many things! :)
Damaris @Kitchen Corners says
I love how you talk about your mom and dad. Super sweet. Sounds like a lovely Thanksgiving.