The secret to truly delicious cranberry orange bars lies in balancing the tartness of cranberries with bright orange zest and a tender, chewy texture. This recipe delivers a satisfying treat that is both vegan and gluten-free, making it accessible for many. Crafting the perfect cranberry orange bars involves careful mixing to ensure the ingredients are just combined, preventing a tough texture. I’ve found that overmixing is the enemy of a tender bar. This version uses a flax egg for binding, contributing to a wonderfully soft crumb that holds together beautifully.

⏱ Time: 45 min
👥 Servings: 9-12
📊 Level: Easy
🥗 10 ingredients
Cranberry Orange Cookie Bars - cranberry orange bars - Cranberry orange bars: bake these chewy, zesty cookie bars for a delightful, allergy-friendly dessert. Pe

Cranberry Orange Cookie Bars

Cranberry orange bars: bake these chewy, zesty cookie bars for a delightful, allergy-friendly dessert. Perfect for a quick, satisfying sweet fix.
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Prep Time 17 minutes
Cook Time 28 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 280
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal
  • 2 ½ Tablespoons orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
  • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup melted vegan butter
  • 1 ⅓ cups MB 1:1 GF Blend (or another gluten-free flour blend or all-purpose flour*)
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries (or dried tart cherries)

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (176 C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine flaxseed meal, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla extract. Let gel for 5 minutes. Add brown sugar and melted vegan butter, then whisk until cohesive.
  3. Fold in the gluten-free flour blend, baking powder, and sea salt. Stir in the dried cranberries until just combined.
  4. Transfer the mixture into the lined baking pan, press to even out the top, and bake for 25-28 minutes until golden brown. Let cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing.

Notes

– Don’t overmix the batter once the flour is added; mix only until just combined to keep the bars tender.
– For perfectly defined bars, ensure they cool completely before slicing. This can take a few hours at room temperature.
– If the edges brown too quickly in the oven, you can tent the pan with foil for the last 5-10 minutes of baking.
– Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days or freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature or warm gently.
Nutrition information is an estimate, calculated automatically. Values vary with brands, substitutions and portion sizes.

Pro tips

  • Don’t overmix the batter once the flour is added; mix only until just combined to keep the bars tender.
  • For perfectly defined bars, ensure they cool completely before slicing. This can take a few hours at room temperature.
  • If the edges brown too quickly in the oven, you can tent the pan with foil for the last 5-10 minutes of baking.
  • Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days or freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature or warm gently.

These cranberry orange bars are a delightful combination of tart and sweet, with a wonderfully chewy texture. Experiment with adding a sprinkle of coarse sugar on top before baking for extra sparkle and crunch. Enjoy this versatile, crowd-pleasing dessert!

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