Winter Market Cranberry Bars (Print Version)
Tart cranberries and chocolate chips combine in a festive, easy-to-make winter treat.
# List of Ingredients:
→ Cranberry Swirl
01 - 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
02 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 tablespoon water
04 - 1 teaspoon orange zest
→ Cookie Bar Base
05 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
06 - 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
07 - 1 large egg
08 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
09 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
10 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
11 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
→ Add-ins
12 - 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
# Step-by-step Instructions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
02 - Combine cranberries, sugar, water, and orange zest in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes until cranberries burst and mixture thickens. Mash lightly and allow to cool.
03 - In a large bowl, whisk melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add egg, vanilla extract, and salt; whisk until fully incorporated.
04 - Add flour and baking powder to the wet ingredients. Stir gently until just combined.
05 - Fold in the chocolate chips, reserving a small portion for topping.
06 - Spread the cookie dough evenly in the prepared baking pan.
07 - Drop spoonfuls of the cooled cranberry mixture across the dough. Use a knife or skewer to swirl the cranberry sauce gently into the dough.
08 - Sprinkle the reserved chocolate chips evenly over the surface.
09 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until edges are golden and center is set.
10 - Allow to cool completely in the pan before lifting out using parchment overhang and cutting into 16 bars.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Tart cranberries and rich chocolate balance each other perfectly, so no single flavor overwhelms.
- They come together in under an hour and actually look impressive enough to gift.
- The swirl technique sounds fancy but is genuinely forgiving, even if your lines get messy.
02 -
- Cool the cranberry mixture before swirling or it will seize and clump instead of creating those pretty ribbons.
- Don't skip lining the pan with parchment; these bars stick stubbornly and parchment overhang makes removal foolproof.
- Letting them cool completely is non-negotiable—warm bars crumble, but cool ones slice cleanly with crisp edges.
03 -
- Reserve a small handful of chocolate chips to sprinkle on top after swirling—they'll melt slightly and look intentional and beautiful.
- If your cranberry mixture is too thick before swirling, warm it gently over low heat for 30 seconds so it flows more easily through the dough.