Best 8 Winning Cranberry Date Bars Recipes

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Indulge in the delectable Cranberry Date Bars, a perfect balance of tangy and sweet flavors. These delightful bars feature a buttery graham cracker crust, a luscious filling bursting with cranberries and dates, and a crumbly oat topping. With a hint of orange zest and warm spices, every bite is a symphony of flavors. This recipe includes variations for a vegan and gluten-free option, ensuring everyone can enjoy this irresistible treat. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out, these Cranberry Date Bars are sure to impress.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

CRANBERRY DATE BARS



Cranberry Date Bars image

Rich and fruity, these bars let you enjoy cranberries year-round. I've made batches for all kinds of church and social events. -Bonnie Nieter, Warsaw, Indiana

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h

Yield 3 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 package (12 ounces) fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed
1 package (8 ounces) chopped dates
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups old-fashioned oats
1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, melted
GLAZE:
1-1/3 cups confectioners' sugar
1 to 2 tablespoons orange juice
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Place cranberries, dates and water in a saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until berries pop, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla., Mix flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda and salt; stir in melted butter. Press half of the mixture into an ungreased 13x9-in. pan. Bake 8 minutes. , Spoon cranberry mixture over crust. Sprinkle with remaining oat mixture; pat down gently. Bake until golden brown, 25-30 minutes longer. Cool completely on a wire rack., Mix glaze ingredients. Drizzle over top.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 339 calories, Fat 11g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 27mg cholesterol, Sodium 212mg sodium, Carbohydrate 60g carbohydrate (40g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 3g protein.

CRANBERRY DATE BARS



Cranberry Date Bars image

My friend Susan, in Albuquerque, gave me this recipe. Her sister, Robin, gave it to her, and through a little research, I have found that it came originally from Taste of Home. I should have known that immediately! Love those recipes from TOH! Photo: http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Winning-Cranberry-Date-Bars

Provided by Sandy Young

Categories     Cookies

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 12 oz. bag fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed
1 8 oz. pkg. chopped dates
2 Tbsp water
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 c all-purpose flour
2 c old-fashioned oats
1 1/2 c brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 c butter or margarine, melted
GLAZE
2 c sifted confectioners' sugar
2 - 3 Tbsp orange juice
1 tsp vanilla extract

Steps:

  • 1. In a saucepan, over low heat, simmer cranberries, dates, and water for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries have popped. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and set aside.
  • 2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Stir in butter until well blended.
  • 3. Pat half the oat mixture into an ungreased 13"x9"x2" baking pan. Bake at 350 for 8 minutes. Spoon cranberry mixture over crust. Sprinkle with the remaining oat mixture. Pat gently.
  • 4. Bake at 350 for 25 - 30 minutes or until browned. Cool.
  • 5. Combine glaze ingredients; drizzle over bars. Yield: 3 dozen bars.
  • 6. You might want sometimes to serve bar cookies with ice cream. Not so with these! They're so yummy by themselves that nothing else is needed except, maybe, a good cup of coffee.
  • 7. Susan uses only half the glaze recipe, but I LOVE confectioners' sugar, so I use all of it!

DATE BARS



Date Bars image

I used to be the cafeteria manager at a grade school and these bars were always a hit.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 55m

Yield 3-4 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 11

2-1/2 cups chopped dates
1/4 cup sugar
1-1/2 cups water
1/3 cup broken walnuts, optional
1-1/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1-1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 tablespoon water

Steps:

  • In a saucepan, combine dates, sugar and water. Cook, stirring frequently, until thick. Stir in nuts if desired. , Meanwhile, in a bowl, sift together flour, salt and baking soda. Add oats and brown sugar. Cut in butter until crumbly. Add water and mix lightly. Press half into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Spread date mixture on top. Cover with remaining oat mixture; pat lightly. , Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until lightly browned.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 113 calories, Fat 3g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 7mg cholesterol, Sodium 112mg sodium, Carbohydrate 22g carbohydrate (15g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 1g protein.

CARAMEL CRANBERRY BARS



Caramel Cranberry Bars image

"My mom created this wonderful dessert after tasting something similar," writes Debbie Kersh in Springtown, Texas. The sweet bars boast a tangy cranberry flavor.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h

Yield 2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 package (12 ounces) fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed
1 package (8 ounces) chopped dates
3/4 cup chopped pecans
2 tablespoons plus 1/2 cup sugar, divided
2-1/3 cups all-purpose flour, divided
2 cups old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup caramel ice cream topping

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, combine the cranberries, dates, pecans and 2 tablespoons sugar; set aside. , In a large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda and remaining sugar. Stir in butter; set aside 1 cup for topping. Press remaining crumb mixture into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes. , Meanwhile, place the remaining flour in a small bowl. Stir in caramel topping until smooth; set aside. Sprinkle cranberry mixture over crust; drizzle with caramel mixture. Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture. , Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Store in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts :

CRANBERRY DATE BARS



Cranberry Date Bars image

Recipe from book II and friends, this was entered by Nancy D.from Michigan. She was also one of my ceramic students- the students could get one free class if they brought me a recipe for the book that I was putting together and this is one of hers.

Provided by Pat Duran

Categories     Fruit Desserts

Time 40m

Number Of Ingredients 16

FILLING:
3 c fresh whole cranberries
8 oz pkg. pitted dates, snipped
1 c water
CRUST:
1 c butter
1 1/3 c light brown sugar,packed
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 c all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 c quick oatmeal- uncooked
GLAZE:
1 1/4 c powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 Tbsp orange juice

Steps:

  • 1. Heat oven to 350^. Butter or spray a jelly roll pan;set aside. Filling: In a 2 quart saucepan, over medium heat, cook together cranberries and dates with the water, stirring constantly, until berries have popped. Cool --- Crust: In a mixing bowl cream butter; gradually add sugar and continue beating until blended. Blend in vanilla. Sift together flour, soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in oats. Pat slightly more than half of crumb mixture on the prepared pan. Spread filling evenly over cookie crust. Sprinkle remaining crumb mixture on top. Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. Cool in pan on wire rack. --- Glaze: In a mixing bowl beat together ingredients until smooth. When cookie bars are cool, drizzle with the glaze. Cut into bars , size of your choice.

CRANBERRY BARS



Cranberry Bars image

"I keep cranberries in my freezer all year so I can make these bars whenever I get a craving for their tart cranberry flavor," shares Betty Noga, Milwaukie, Oregon.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h

Yield about 2-1/2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 16

FILLING:
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
1/4 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped walnuts
CRUST:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/4 cups cold butter
1 cup sugar
3 cups quick-cooking oats

Steps:

  • In a saucepan, bring sugar and water to a boil. Add cranberries and cook until they pop, about 4-6 minutes. Add orange juice, orange zest, butter, cinnamon and salt. Cook 5 minutes longer or until mixture thickens. Remove from the heat; stir in walnuts and set aside. , For crust, combine the flour and salt in a bowl; cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Add sugar and oats; mix well. Spoon half into an ungreased 13x9-in. baking pan; pat firmly into pan. Spread filling evenly over crust. Top with remaining crumb mixture; pat lightly. , Bake at 400° for 30-35 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 413 calories, Fat 22g fat (10g saturated fat), Cholesterol 43mg cholesterol, Sodium 242mg sodium, Carbohydrate 50g carbohydrate (24g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 6g protein.

CRANBERRY OAT BARS



Cranberry Oat Bars image

These little bars are great to snack on, are perfect at holiday time, and would be excellent for a cookie exchange. If you have leftover dough after forming the bars, don't worry, I find that the thinner the crust, the better.

Provided by Inger

Categories     Desserts     Fruit Dessert Recipes     Cranberry Dessert Recipes

Time 45m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
¾ cup sugar
2 tablespoons orange zest
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups rolled oats
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup butter

Steps:

  • In a small saucepan over medium high heat, combine the cranberries, white sugar and orange zest. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cook until the mixture has reduced to about 1 cup.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x9 inch baking pan, line with foil, then grease the foil.
  • In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut in the butter using your hands or a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press half of this mixture firmly into the prepared pan. Spread the cranberry sauce evenly over the base, then crumble the remaining oat mixture over the top.
  • Bake for 10 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until the top is golden brown. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 242.6 calories, Carbohydrate 38.6 g, Cholesterol 22.9 mg, Fat 9.3 g, Fiber 1.7 g, Protein 2.4 g, SaturatedFat 5.6 g, Sodium 161.2 mg, Sugar 23.3 g

CRANBERRY AND CARAMEL DATE BARS



Cranberry and Caramel Date Bars image

These are really delicious, a real treat. I have made them several times since finding the recipe in a newspaper.

Provided by Barb G.

Categories     Bar Cookie

Time 1h

Yield 24 Bars

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 cup cranberries
10 tablespoons sugar
2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups oats
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup butter or 1 cup margarine, melted
1 1/2 cups dates, chopped
3/4 cup walnuts, toasted
1 cup caramel ice cream topping

Steps:

  • Preheat oven 350°F.
  • In bowl, combine cranberries and 2 tablespoons sugar.
  • In a bowl, combine 2 cups flour,oats,remaining 1/2 cup sugar, brown sugar and soda.
  • Add butter and mmx well (pastry blender works well).
  • Reserve 1 cup crumb mixture.
  • Press remainder firmly on bottom of 13x9-inch baking pan.
  • Bake 15 minutes.
  • Sprinkle dates, walnuts and cranberry mixture over crust.
  • Mix caramel topping and remaining 1/3 cup flour; Spoon over fruit and walnuts.
  • Top with reserved crumb mixture.
  • Bake 20 minutes or until lightly brown.
  • Cool.
  • Cut into bars.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 291.8, Fat 11.1, SaturatedFat 5.3, Cholesterol 20.5, Sodium 131.1, Carbohydrate 45.9, Fiber 3.1, Sugar 17, Protein 4.6

Tips:

  • Use fresh cranberries: Fresh cranberries have a brighter flavor and a more vibrant color than frozen or dried cranberries.
  • Chop the dates finely: Finely chopped dates will distribute evenly throughout the bars and provide a more consistent texture.
  • Use a food processor to combine the ingredients: A food processor will make it quick and easy to combine the ingredients for the crust and the filling.
  • Press the crust firmly into the pan: This will help to prevent the crust from crumbling when you cut the bars.
  • Bake the bars until the filling is set: The filling should be firm to the touch and have a slightly golden brown color.
  • Let the bars cool completely before cutting them: This will help to prevent the bars from crumbling.

Conclusion:

These Cranberry Date Bars are a delicious and festive treat that are perfect for any occasion. They are easy to make, and they are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them. The combination of tart cranberries, sweet dates, and a buttery oat crust is irresistible. So next time you are looking for a special treat, give these Cranberry Date Bars a try. You won't be disappointed!

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