These delicious and easy to prepare cranberry pecan pie bars feature cranberries, pecans, maple syrup and oats are perfect for holiday parties and gatherings.
They're wholesome, hearty and only lightly sweetned so the pecan and cranberry flavors really shine.
How to make cranberry pecan pie bars
Featured Ingredients
Crust:
- Butter: The "liquid" that brings the crust together.
- It provides a delicious flavor and beautiful mouth feel.
- Flour and oats: The hearty, wholesome texture of flour + oats makes the perfect crust.
- Flax: For a boost of nutrition and nuttiness.
- Maple syrup: To lightly sweeten the crust.
Filling:
- Cranberries: Fresh or frozen cranberries.
- Pecans: Chopped pecans mixed with cranberries to make these delish bars.
- Sugar and maple syrup: A mix of both helps sweeten the filling and provides a maple flavor.
- Cornstarch: To thicken the filling.
- Butter: For flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8x8 baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
- Place crust ingredients into the bowl of a food processor and pulse until a crumbly dough forms.
- Press into the prepared baking dish until flat and even and bake 25 minutes, until slightly browned and set. Let crust slightly cool.
- In a medium mixing bowl, stir together filling ingredients until combined.
- Pour filling onto the crust and bake an additional 15-20 minutes, until filling is set.
- Refrigerate until bars are completely cooled, then remove from the pan by pulling the parchment paper out onto a flat surface.
- Slice into bars and serve.
Recipe Subtitutions and Alterations
- For the butter: Try with coconut oil.
- For the flour: Use any all-purpose flour, such as whole wheat, whole wheat pastry, whole wheat white, all-purpose, gluten free all-purpose or oat flour.
- For the maple syrup: Try with honey.
- For the cranberries: Try with fresh or frozen berries.
- For the pecans: Try with walnuts.
Nutrition Considerations
- To make them gluten free: Use gluten free all-purpose flour and gluten free oats.
- To make them dairy free: This recipe does not contain gluten.
- To make them vegan: Use coconut oil instead of butter.
- To make them egg free: This recipe does not contain eggs.
Storage Tips
- To eat right away: Store in an airtight container or sealed Ziploc bag at room temperature or in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks.
- To freeze: Store in an airtight container or sealed Ziploc bag at room temperature up to 2 months.
- Let thaw at room temperature.
Holiday desserts you'll love:
- Sweet Potato Pie with Maple Whipped Cream
- Winter Citrus and Pomegranate Mascarpone Cups
- Cranberry Pecan Pie Bars
- Cranberry Goat Cheese Stuffed Pears
- Peanut Butter Yogurt Cookies with Dark Chocolate
Cranberry Pecan Pie Bars
These delicious and easy to prepare cranberry pecan pie bars feature cranberries, pecans, maple syrup and oats are perfect for holiday parties and gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Total Time: 55 mins
- Yield: 12 Bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Crust:
- 5 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
- ¾ cup flour*
- ¼ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons ground flax seed
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
Filling:
- 1 cup whole cranberries
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- 1 ½ tablespoons melted butter
- ¼ teaspoon coarse salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8x8 baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
- Place crust ingredients into the bowl of a food processor and pulse until a crumbly dough forms. Press into the prepared baking dish until flat and even and bake 25 minutes, until slightly browned and set. Let crust slightly cool.
- In a medium mixing bowl, stir together filling ingredients until combined. Pour filling onto the crust and bake an additional 15-20 minutes, until filling is set. Refrigerate until bars are completely cooled, then remove from the pan by pulling the parchment paper out onto a flat surface. Slice into bars and serve.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12 bars
- Calories: 193
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 36 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 17 mg
Keywords: without corn syrup, easy, organic, homemade, from scratch, holiday party, winter
Jane says
8" square?
Double for a 13X9?
Julie Andrews says
Hi Jane - Great question! I use an 8x8 (just updated the recipe), and would use 13x9 for doubling. Enjoy!
cakespy says
SO MUCH YES. Pecan pie filling can sometimes be too sweet without contrast, so I love the idea of complementing the flavor with cranberry. This is a great recipe!!
Julie Andrews says
Agreed! I am not a fan of the typical corn syrup. This recipe is the perfect sweetness will all wholesome ingredients 🙂 Enjoy!
Kim says
Looks good!
Julie Andrews says
Thanks, Kim! They are pretty delicious and secretly pretty healthy 🙂
Patty Hynes says
Sounds delicious - however not a fan of maple flavor - can I substitute honey? Other thoughts?
Julie Andrews says
Yes, you can use honey! You could also try it with brown sugar but I haven't tested this. 🙂