Sweet & Tart Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe

Ingredients

Crust

• 1 ½ cups all‑purpose flour
• ½ cup rolled oats
• ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted

Cranberry‑Orange Filling

• 1 cup fresh cranberries, roughly chopped
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• ¼ cup orange zest (about 2 oranges)
• ¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• ⅓ cup maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Spice Blend & Extras

• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds (optional)
• Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Instructions

Baking and Finishing

1. Combine & Bake. Pour the warm cranberry mixture over the partially baked crust, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20‑25 minutes, or until the edges are bubbling and the top has a caramelized sheen.
2. Cool & Set. Remove the pan and let the bars cool on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes. This cooling period allows the filling to set, making clean cuts later.
3. Slice & Dust. Using a sharp knife, cut the cooled slab into 12 equal squares. For an elegant finish, dust each bar lightly with powdered sugar or a drizzle of extra maple syrup.
4. Serve. Present the bars on a platter at room temperature. They pair beautifully with a dollop of whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or a simple scoop of Greek yogurt for added tang.