Sugared Cranberry Shortbread Bars combine rich, buttery shortbread with tart-sweet, dried cranberries and a sparkling sugar topping. Baked until lightly golden and sliced into soft, crumbly bars, this treat is perfect for holidays, cookie exchanges, or anytime you want a simple, elegant dessert.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You’ll love this recipe because it uses just a handful of pantry staples to create bakery-quality shortbread. The buttery base melts in your mouth, while the cranberries add a perfectly balanced tartness. The sugared top creates an irresistible crunch that makes each bar both festive and addictive. It’s easy, fast, and wonderful for gifting.

Sugared Cranberry Shortbread Bars

Sugared Cranberry Shortbread Bars are the perfect blend of buttery richness and tart cranberry flavor, making them a standout treat for holiday baking and year-round dessert cravings. These bars have a classic shortbread texture that’s crisp at the edges and tender in the center, offering the kind of melt-in-your-mouth bite that only true shortbread can deliver.

The magic begins with the butter—a full two sticks—which gives these shortbread bars their iconic flavor and luxurious texture. When whipped with sugar, the butter becomes light and fluffy, creating a dough that bakes into smooth, golden perfection. It’s a simple base, but one that delivers incredible taste with minimal effort.

What sets these shortbread bars apart is the addition of dried cranberries. Their bright, tart flavor cuts beautifully through the richness of the butter, creating a balance that keeps each bite exciting and satisfying. Cranberries also add visual appeal, giving the bars pops of festive red that make them perfect for holiday platters.

The sugared topping enhances the texture of the bars, adding a light crunch that contrasts with the tender shortbread. Sprinkling sugar over the dough before baking creates a sparkly, crisp finish that looks beautiful and tastes even better. This simple step elevates the recipe from delicious to irresistible.

Shortbread is a timeless classic, beloved for its simplicity and versatility. These cranberry-studded bars take that tradition and bring a seasonal twist, making them both nostalgic and fresh. They’re ideal for Christmas gatherings, Thanksgiving desserts, or cozy winter afternoons spent baking and gifting.

One of the most appealing aspects of this recipe is how easy it is to prepare. With no complicated techniques or chilling time required, you can have these bars mixed, pressed into the pan, and ready for the oven in minutes. It’s the perfect recipe for busy days or last-minute holiday treats.

The bars slice beautifully once cooled, holding their shape while maintaining their tender crumb. This makes them great for cookie exchanges, gifting tins, or parties where presentation matters. They’re sturdy enough to transport but delicate enough to feel special and homemade.

Cranberry desserts are especially popular in the fall and winter months, and these shortbread bars offer a great way to showcase that seasonal flavor. The cranberries bring brightness and color, while the buttery shortbread feels warm and comforting—a perfect match for colder weather.

Because the recipe uses dried cranberries, these bars can be enjoyed all year long. They’re just as delicious in the summer with a cup of tea as they are on a holiday cookie platter. Their versatility and reliable flavor make them a go-to recipe for any baking occasion.

Sugared Cranberry Shortbread Bars are more than just a dessert—they’re a celebration of simple ingredients done beautifully. With their buttery richness, tart cranberry bursts, and sparkling sugar finish, these bars are destined to become a staple in your baking rotation.

Servings & Time

Servings: 20–24 bars
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
Cooling Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: ~1 hour

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter

• 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar, divided

• 1 large egg

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 cup dried cranberries

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 9×13 pan with foil.

2. Beat butter and 1 cup sugar until smooth and fluffy, about 1 minute.

3. Mix in the egg until fully blended.

4. Add flour and beat until a smooth dough forms.

5. Fold in dried cranberries.

6. Press dough evenly into the prepared pan.

7. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup sugar evenly over the top.

8. Bake for 25–30 minutes, until edges are lightly browned and center is barely golden.

9. Cool completely in the pan.

10. Lift out using foil and cut into squares.

Tips

Ingredient Substitutions

• Swap dried cranberries for dried cherries or blueberries.

• Use unsalted butter and add 1/2 tsp salt.

• Replace some cranberries with white chocolate chips for sweetness.

Make-Ahead & Storage

• Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

• Freeze bars up to 2 months; thaw at room temperature before serving.

• Keep uncut bars whole for maximum freshness until serving.

Serving Variations

• Drizzle with white chocolate for extra richness.

• Add orange zest to the dough for a cranberry-orange twist.

• Coat bars with powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar for a softer finish.

Avoid Common Mistakes

• Don’t overbake—bars should stay pale with lightly golden edges.

• Press dough evenly to prevent uneven baking.

• Allow bars to cool completely for clean slicing.