Cranberry Pie Bars

Cranberry Pie Bars are the perfect balance of tart and sweet, with a citrusy twist that’s just right for the holidays. You’ll love how easy these dessert bars are to make, and your family will love how great they taste!

These delicious Cranberry Orange Pie Bars are ready in just about an hour, making them a great choice for a Thanksgiving dessert or to enjoy any time of year.

As a kid, I was always slightly scared of that jellied cranberry sauce that plopped out of a can. I thought, there’s no way that can taste good! But as I’ve gotten older, I have come to really enjoy those tart cranberries and all the ways you can use them in your baking. However, I’ve never tried them in pie form until now!

Ingredients for Cranberry Pie Bars

For the crust and topping

All-purpose flour

Baking powder

Salt

Butter (salted or unsalted butter is fine, room temperature)

Shortening

Granulated white sugar

Large eggs

Pure vanilla extract

Cranberry Filling Ingredients

Fresh or frozen cranberries

Granulated sugar

Cornstarch

Orange zest

Fresh orange juice

Vanilla extract

Orange Glaze

Powdered sugar

Zest and juice of one orange (see note below)

See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for detailed instructions and a full list of ingredients!

How to Make Easy Cranberry Orange Pie Bars

First, we’ll make the crust and topping.

While your oven preheats to 350 degrees F, prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by lining it with a piece of parchment paper that slightly overhangs the edges. This will allow you to lift your finished bars out for slicing.

Next, whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, and salt) in a medium bowl. Then, in a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to cream the butter and shortening on high until smooth and well combined. Add the sugar and completely combine. Be sure to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl.

 Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and thoroughly combine on low speed. Set aside 1 1/4 cups of the dough for the topping.

Press the remaining dough into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. I like to place dollops around the pan and then spread it with an offset spatula. Bake for 12 minutes in the preheated oven. The edges of the bottom crust will be lightly golden brown, and the middle will be underdone, but don’t worry, you’re going to bake them again!

Cranberry Filling Mixture

In a large bowl, combine the cranberries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, orange zest, orange juice, and vanilla. Mix well, then spread the cranberry mixture in an even layer over the baked crust.

Assemble and Bake

Place small dollops of the remaining dough over the cranberries, leaving some space in between so you can see some of the filling on top of the bars.

Bake for about 35-40 minutes until the crust is golden brown. If it’s browning too quickly, loosely place a piece of tin foil over the pan and bake until set. Set the pan on a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.

Add the Glaze

In a small bowl, mix together the powdered sugar and the zest and juice of one orange. If needed, add additional orange juice 1 teaspoon at a time until the glaze is of a consistency where it can be drizzled.

Using a spoon, evenly distribute the glaze over the top of the bars. Lift your bars out of the pan by the parchment and slice with a sharp knife. Enjoy!

FAQs

How do I know when my bars are done?

Look for a golden brown crust and a bubbly filling. The pictures in this post may appear as if the bars have not been completely baked, but I assure you they are! This underdone appearance is the result of a more chewy texture, similar to a sugar cookie bar.

How do I store Cranberry Pie Bars?

Store them in the fridge, tightly covered with aluminum foil, or transfer to an airtight container for 3-5 days.

Can I freeze these Cranberry Bars?

Yes, you can freeze them. Once they cool completely, cover the pan with a layer of plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze them for 1-2 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

Can I omit the glaze?

Of course! If you still want a sweet topping, try my Stabilized Whipped Cream or a scoop of ice cream on the side!

More Cranberry Recipes You’ll Love

Fellow cranberry lovers, you’ll want to try one of these recipes next time:

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry Orange Blondies

Cranberry Coffee Cake

Cranberry Orange Pistachio Biscotti

Cranberry Ginger Pistachio Sugar Cookies

Pie Bars To Make

Why not make pie bars instead of traditional pie all the time? I love how easy they are to make. Try my Pumpkin Pie Bars or my Apple Pie Bars too! Your guests will love them. And don’t forget to leave a recipe review for these Cranberry Pie Bars below!

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