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Cranberry Curd Bars

Bright, silky cranberry curd layered over buttery shortbread, creating a festive dessert with bold color and tangy-sweet flavor.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 12 bars
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Holiday
Calories: 210
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Crust
  • 0.75 cup butter melted
  • 0.33 cup sugar
  • 1.5 cups flour
  • 0.25 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
Cranberry Curd
  • 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 0.25 cup lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest
  • 4 eggs large
  • 0.25 cup butter soft
  • 1 pinch salt

Equipment

  • Saucepan
  • Baking pan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Fine mesh strainer

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper.
  2. Mix melted butter, sugar, flour, salt, and vanilla to make the crust.
  3. Press crust into the pan and bake for 18–20 minutes.
  4. Simmer cranberries, sugar, lemon juice, and zest until berries burst.
  5. Blend until smooth and strain through a fine sieve.
  6. Whisk eggs into the warm mixture and cook until thickened.
  7. Add butter and stir until glossy.
  8. Pour curd over warm crust and bake 12–15 minutes.
  9. Cool completely and chill before slicing.

Notes

For extra shine, add 1 tbsp cranberry juice to the curd before baking. Dust with powdered sugar for a snowy finish.