Lemon-Cranberry Pie Bars

(2,369)

A beautiful alternative to the classic Thanksgiving pie, this sweet and tangy bar has a simple press-in crust and a lemon curd filling swirled with cranberry puree. Slideshow:  More Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Desserts 

Lemon-Cranberry Pie Bars
Photo: © Con Poulos
Active Time:
1 hr
Total Time:
1 hr 45 mins
Yield:
1 9-by-13-inch pan
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 1 cup cranberries

  • 2 3/4 cups granulated sugar

  • Pinch of ground cloves

  • 1/4 cup water

  • 4 large eggs

  • 2 egg yolks

  • 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

  • 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

  • 3/4 cup all purpose flour

  • Baked Press-In Crust

  • Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°. In a saucepan, simmer the cranberries with 1/4 cup of the sugar, the cloves and water over moderately low heat until the berries pop and the liquid thickens, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a blender and puree until smooth. Strain and press the puree through a fine sieve set over a bowl and let cool completely.

  2. In a medium bowl, whisk the remaining 2 1/2 cups of sugar with the eggs, egg yolks, lemon zest, lemon juice and flour.

  3. Mix 1 cup of the lemon filling into the cranberry puree; pour the rest of the lemon filling into the crust. Swirl in the cranberry-lemon mixture. Bake for 35 minutes, or until set. Transfer the pan to a rack; let cool. Dust with confectioners' sugar and serve.

Make Ahead

The bars can be refrigerated for up to 2 days. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Originally appeared: November 2013

Related Articles