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Cranberry Pecan Cookie Bars

Cranberry Pecan Cookie Bars
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Deliciously chewy Cranberry Pecan Cookie Bars loaded with tart dried cranberries and crunchy pecans, perfectly balancing sweet and nutty flavors. This easy-to-make baked treat uses simple pantry ingredients and offers versatility for holiday snacks, make-ahead baking, and customizable variations to suit your taste or dietary needs.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free option)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups dried cranberries
  • 1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal later.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar together until creamy and smooth, about 2 to 3 minutes. This step incorporates air for a lighter texture.
  3. Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla: Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then stir in vanilla extract to infuse flavor.
  4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture to avoid lumps, mixing just until combined.
  5. Fold in Cranberries and Pecans: Gently fold in dried cranberries and chopped pecans, distributing them evenly throughout the batter for consistent flavor and crunch.
  6. Bake the Cookie Bars: Spread the batter evenly in your prepared pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
  7. Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares or rectangles for serving.

Notes

  • Use room temperature ingredients to ensure even mixing and a smoother batter.
  • Do not overmix the batter to avoid tough cookie bars.
  • Watch the bake time closely; slightly underbaking yields a chewy center, while overbaking results in dryness.
  • Chop nuts uniformly for consistent crunch and easier slicing.
  • Let the bars cool fully before slicing to prevent crumbling.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cranberry, Pecan, Cookie Bars, Chewy Bars, Holiday Treat, Gluten-Free Option, Nutty Dessert

Find it online: https://lillysplate.com/cranberry-pecan-cookie-bars/