Cranberry Pecan Bars are perfect for gift-giving or dessert trays for the holidays.
Pecan Cranberry Bars was sponsored by Bob's Red Mill, but the recipe and opinions are entirely my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Beyond the Chicken Coop
The holidays are coming and for me that means it's time for baking up some love! This year I am baking Cranberry Pecan Bars and sharing with friends, family and neighbors.
I like to give gifts to all our neighbors and friends, but I don't purchase store-bought gifts for them. Instead, I spend a couple of days in the kitchen baking up a storm. My kids love to help with the baking and the delivery!
This year I will be baking Cranberry Pecan Bars. They are a cross between a pecan pie and a cookie.
When baking I love to use the highest quality ingredients to make my creations truly amazing. Bob's Red Mill products are of the highest quality!
In addition to baking for gifts, I also love to bake an assortment of cookies and bars to fill a cookie tray. I will often take a tray full of home-baked goodies to a party or keep it available for guests who stop by. Some of my favorites are Raspberry Bow Tie Cookies, Cranberry Orange Swirl Cookies, and Sugar Cookies.
This year I will also have these Cranberry Pecan Bars on the tray.
Holiday baking tip
When baking for the holidays, you want to plan ahead for your baking day.
- Make a list of everything you want to make.
- Create a list of ingredients.
- Make certain you have all the ingredients on hand.
- If making several different recipes, plan the order of your baking.
- Start with cookie dough that has to be chilled before rolling or baking.
- Plan space for cookies and bars to cool.
- Have gift-giving containers ready.
- Have packaging materials on hand: parchment paper, tissue paper,
- Think about bows, tags, or other finishing items.
- Allow cookies and bars to cool completely before packaging.
- Deliver with a smile and spread the love and cheer!
When baking these cranberry pecan pie bars, think about making a couple of batches. They tend to disappear quickly!
Other great dessert recipes
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Check out all my holiday recipes!
Cranberry Pecan Bars
Equipment
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 1 ¼ cup flour
- ½ cup pecans
- ½ cup butter, salted (cut into small pieces)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup sugar
For the Filling
- 3 eggs
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 ½ cups cranberries
- 2 cups pecans
Instructions
Crust
- Place flour, pecans, butter, salt and sugar in a food processor. Process until all ingredients are combined. Mixture will appear dry and lumpy.1 ¼ cup flour, ½ cup pecans, ½ cup butter, salted, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¾ cup sugar
- Pour into a 9"x13" baking dish. Press dough down with your hands. Press edges down so all surface area is even.
- Bake in a preheated 350 oven for 10 minutes.
Filling
- While the crust is baking, put eggs, sugar, and vanilla into the same food processor bowl (no need to rinse). Process until combined3 eggs, ¾ cup sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Add cranberries. Pulse until cranberries are chopped, but still have some large pieces.1 ½ cups cranberries
- When crust comes out of oven, pour filling mixture over hot crust.
- Sprinkle pecans over filling.2 cups pecans
- Continue baking for an additional 30 minutes.
- Allow bars to completely cool before slicing.
Notes
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Nutrition
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Bob's Red Mill
Leyah says
These bars were amazing and so easy to make!! I am hoping that the cranberries in my refrigerator are still good so that I can make another batch!! I will say, waiting until they are COMPLETELY cooled is a must!! Great recipe!!
Kathy says
I'm glad you enjoyed them! I'm hoping you get to make that next batch! Thanks so much.
Cynthia Corey says
I really enjoyed making these for my neighbors.
I chopped the pecans coarsely for the topping because my pecans were so large.
Kathy says
Thank you!
Katie says
These look amazing... do they freeze well? I'd like to be able to make ahead of time and pull out a batch to thaw and serve for any festivities during the holidays!
Kathy says
Hi Katie,
These bars do freeze well. Allow the bars to fully cool, then slice. I like to remove the bars from the baking dish and wrap with plastic wrap and then foil. You could also place in a single layer in a freezer-safe bag.
Kathy
Barbara Douglas` says
Can you use dried cranberries? Would the proportions be the same?
Kathy says
Hi Barbara,
I have only made these with fresh cranberries so I’m not certain how dried will work.
Kathy
Vernita says
Hi Kathy, are the cranberries dried or fresh?
Kathy says
Hi Vernita,
For this recipe, I use fresh cranberries.
I hope you enjoy them!
Kathy 🙂
Linda says
Very good! Easy to make. Crust is quite soft and not crumbly. Bars are a tad bit sweet for me; wondering if maple syrup rather than white sugar would help or perhaps more cranberries. The filling is very smooth; I could have doubled it so I could eat it by itself. Quite like a mini pie.
Kathy says
Hi Linda, Thank you so much! I think adding additional cranberries wouldn't be a problem at all. I don't know about the maple syrup. It sounds delicious, but I don't know how it would be in this recipe.
Kathy 🙂
Fred G says
Great holiday recipe.
Kathy says
These are a favorite!
Ashika | Gardening Foodie says
These cranberry pecan bars look so festive and beautiful Kathy. It really makes fantastic gifts, I would love to try out this recipe...absolutely delicious:)
Kathy says
They do make great gifts! They are also delicious...but don't give them all away! You'll want some for yourself too!
Cheryl says
Yum. Looks good. I almost always have cranberries on hand. Pecans not so much. I'm more of a walnut and cashew person.
Kathy says
Walnuts would be great instead of the pecans!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Homemade gifts for the win!! Can't beat it! Every year I give family a basket filled with homemade goodies and some other small things, maybe a candle or nice hand soap. It always goes over so well. These delicious bars would be a lovey addition! That combo just screams Christmas to me 🙂 Pinned!
Kathy says
I think they will make wonderful Christmas gifts.
Ashley@CookNourishBliss says
Homemade treats are the best! And I would LOVE to get some of these cranberry pecan bars! They sound delicious!!
annie@ciaochowbambina says
There is nothing I love more than to receive homemade gifts from my friends and neighbors! These bars are holiday perfection!
David @ Spiced says
These bars sound amazing, Kathy! Seriously! I love pecans, and I love baking with cranberries this time of the year. I bet these disappeared quickly in your house. 🙂 Also, I 100% agree with you about Bob's Red Mill...I love their products, and my pantry is always stocked with Bob's! Thanks for the tasty recipe, my friend!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
Pecans are my favorite nut Kathy! And I love the addition of the cranberries ! These would be perfect with some added orange zest too! Can't wait to try them!
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices says
What beautiful and delectable bars! Wish we were your neighbours to receive them!
Kathy says
I would love to share these with you! Too bad we aren't neighbors!