Festive Cranberry Squares: A Delightful Holiday Treat

Cranberry squares are a quintessential holiday treat, offering a delightful combination of tartness, sweetness, and a satisfyingly chewy texture. These squares are perfect for serving at gatherings, gifting to loved ones, or simply enjoying as a cozy dessert on a cold winter evening. This recipe provides a detailed guide to creating perfectly baked cranberry squares that are sure to impress.

## Why You’ll Love These Cranberry Squares

* **Festive Flavors:** The tart cranberries perfectly complement the sweetness of the sugar and the richness of the butter, creating a balanced and flavorful dessert.
* **Easy to Make:** This recipe is surprisingly simple, requiring minimal effort and readily available ingredients.
* **Perfect for Sharing:** Cranberry squares are easy to cut and serve, making them ideal for parties, potlucks, and holiday gatherings.
* **Make-Ahead Friendly:** You can prepare these squares a day or two in advance, allowing you to focus on other tasks during the busy holiday season.
* **Versatile:** This recipe can be easily adapted to suit your preferences. Add nuts, chocolate chips, or different spices to create your own unique variation.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

### For the Crust:

* 1 1/2 cups (180g) all-purpose flour
* 1/2 cup (50g) powdered sugar
* 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks or 170g) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
* 1/4 teaspoon salt

### For the Cranberry Filling:

* 4 cups (400g) fresh or frozen cranberries
* 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
* 1/2 cup (120ml) orange juice
* 1/4 cup (30g) all-purpose flour
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* Pinch of salt
* 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

## Equipment You’ll Need

* 9×13 inch baking pan
* Parchment paper
* Mixing bowls
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Pastry blender or food processor (optional)
* Saucepan
* Rubber spatula

## Step-by-Step Instructions

### Step 1: Prepare the Crust

1. **Combine dry ingredients:** In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, powdered sugar, and salt.
2. **Cut in the butter:** Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Alternatively, you can pulse the ingredients in a food processor until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. **Press into the pan:** Line the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal. Press the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Use the bottom of a measuring cup or your fingers to firmly pack the crust.
4. **Pre-bake the crust:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the crust for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly while you prepare the cranberry filling.

### Step 2: Make the Cranberry Filling

1. **Combine cranberries and sugar:** In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries and granulated sugar. If using frozen cranberries, there’s no need to thaw them beforehand.
2. **Cook the cranberry mixture:** Cook the cranberry mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries begin to burst and release their juices. This will take about 5-7 minutes.
3. **Simmer and thicken:** Reduce the heat to low and simmer the mixture for another 5-7 minutes, or until the cranberries are softened and the mixture has thickened slightly. Stir frequently to prevent sticking.
4. **Add orange juice and spices:** Stir in the orange juice, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Continue to simmer for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the filling is thickened and smooth. The flour will help to bind the filling together.
5. **Add nuts (optional):** If using, stir in the chopped walnuts or pecans.

### Step 3: Assemble and Bake

1. **Pour filling over crust:** Pour the cranberry filling evenly over the pre-baked crust.
2. **Bake the squares:** Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown. The filling should jiggle slightly when the pan is gently shaken.
3. **Cool completely:** Remove the baking pan from the oven and let the cranberry squares cool completely in the pan before cutting. This is important because the filling will continue to set as it cools. Cooling them completely prevents a gooey mess.
4. **Lift and cut:** Once completely cool, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the cranberry squares from the pan. Place them on a cutting board and cut into squares or bars.

## Tips for Success

* **Use cold butter:** Cold butter is essential for creating a flaky and tender crust. Make sure your butter is very cold before cutting it into the flour.
* **Don’t overmix the crust:** Overmixing the crust will develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough crust. Mix the ingredients just until they are combined.
* **Pre-bake the crust:** Pre-baking the crust helps to prevent it from becoming soggy from the cranberry filling.
* **Adjust sweetness to taste:** If you prefer a less tart filling, you can increase the amount of sugar in the recipe.
* **Use fresh or frozen cranberries:** Both fresh and frozen cranberries work well in this recipe. If using frozen cranberries, there’s no need to thaw them beforehand.
* **Cool completely before cutting:** This is crucial for achieving clean cuts and preventing a messy filling.
* **Store properly:** Store leftover cranberry squares in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

## Variations and Substitutions

* **Add chocolate chips:** Sprinkle chocolate chips (dark, milk, or white) over the cranberry filling before baking for a richer, more decadent treat.
* **Use different nuts:** Substitute pecans, almonds, or macadamia nuts for the walnuts.
* **Add citrus zest:** Add the zest of an orange or lemon to the cranberry filling for a brighter flavor.
* **Use different spices:** Experiment with different spices like ginger, cardamom, or allspice to customize the flavor profile.
* **Make a streusel topping:** Combine flour, butter, sugar, and nuts to create a streusel topping for the cranberry squares.
* **Gluten-free option:** Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make these cranberry squares gluten-free.
* **Vegan option:** Substitute vegan butter for the butter in the crust and ensure your sugar is vegan-friendly. You might also need a flax egg or other binder for the crust.

## Serving Suggestions

* Serve the cranberry squares as a dessert after a holiday meal.
* Enjoy them with a cup of coffee or tea.
* Pack them in lunchboxes or take them on picnics.
* Give them as gifts to friends and family.
* Serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
* Dust them with powdered sugar for a festive touch.

## Detailed Ingredient Information

* **All-Purpose Flour:** Provides structure to both the crust and the filling. Ensure it’s fresh for the best results. For a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
* **Powdered Sugar:** Used in the crust for a tender texture. Powdered sugar, also known as confectioners’ sugar, dissolves more easily than granulated sugar, resulting in a smoother crust.
* **Unsalted Butter:** Adds richness and flavor to the crust. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the amount of salt in the recipe. Make sure it is very cold for optimal flakiness.
* **Salt:** Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients and balances the sweetness.
* **Cranberries:** The star of the show! Fresh or frozen cranberries work equally well. They provide a tart and tangy flavor that is characteristic of this dessert.
* **Granulated Sugar:** Sweetens the cranberry filling and helps to break down the cranberries during cooking.
* **Orange Juice:** Adds moisture and a subtle citrus flavor to the filling. Freshly squeezed orange juice is preferred, but store-bought orange juice can also be used.
* **Cinnamon and Nutmeg:** Warm spices that complement the cranberries and add depth of flavor.
* **Walnuts or Pecans (Optional):** Add a nutty crunch to the filling. Toasting the nuts before adding them will enhance their flavor.

## Troubleshooting

* **Crust is too dry:** If the crust seems too dry and crumbly, add a tablespoon or two of ice water until it comes together. Be careful not to add too much water, as this can make the crust tough.
* **Crust is too tough:** Overmixing the crust can result in a tough crust. Mix the ingredients just until they are combined.
* **Filling is too runny:** If the filling is too runny, simmer it for a few more minutes to allow it to thicken. You can also add a teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with a tablespoon of water to help thicken the filling.
* **Cranberry squares are too tart:** If the cranberry squares are too tart for your liking, increase the amount of sugar in the filling.
* **Cranberry squares are too sweet:** If the cranberry squares are too sweet, reduce the amount of sugar in the filling.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate, per square)

* Calories: 250-300
* Fat: 12-15g
* Saturated Fat: 7-9g
* Cholesterol: 30-40mg
* Sodium: 100-150mg
* Carbohydrates: 35-40g
* Fiber: 2-3g
* Sugar: 20-25g
* Protein: 2-3g

*Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients and portion sizes used.*

## Cranberry Square Recipe Card

**Yields:** 16-24 squares
**Prep time:** 20 minutes
**Cook time:** 40-50 minutes

### Ingredients:

#### For the Crust:

* 1 1/2 cups (180g) all-purpose flour
* 1/2 cup (50g) powdered sugar
* 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks or 170g) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
* 1/4 teaspoon salt

#### For the Cranberry Filling:

* 4 cups (400g) fresh or frozen cranberries
* 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
* 1/2 cup (120ml) orange juice
* 1/4 cup (30g) all-purpose flour
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* Pinch of salt
* 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

### Instructions:

1. **Prepare the crust:** Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, whisk together flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking pan lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.
2. **Make the cranberry filling:** In a saucepan, combine cranberries and granulated sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until cranberries burst. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5-7 minutes, until thickened. Stir in orange juice, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Simmer for 1-2 minutes, until smooth. Stir in nuts, if using.
3. **Assemble and bake:** Pour cranberry filling over the pre-baked crust. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until filling is set and crust is golden brown. Cool completely before cutting into squares.

Enjoy your homemade Cranberry Squares!

## Final Thoughts

These cranberry squares are a delightful treat that captures the essence of the holiday season. Their combination of tart cranberries, sweet sugar, and buttery crust makes them irresistible. With this detailed recipe, you can easily create a batch of these festive squares to share with your loved ones or enjoy yourself. Happy baking!