Cranberry and Almond Shortbread Bars

Cranberry and Almond Shortbread Bars

Fruit and Nut Mini Shortbreads

Recipe by
Reviewed by Arturs Arnicans
Prep Time: 15m
Cook Time: 30m
Total Time: 45m
Temp.: 350 °F
Servings: 16
Difficulty: Easy
4.9 (15 Reviews)
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Ingredients

Adjust servings:

For Glaze:

Nutritional Information

141
calories
6,2g
fat
20,3g
carbohydrates
1,7g
protein
27mg
cholesterol
119mg
sodium
Cranberry and Almond Shortbread Bars

Recipe Description

I am such a shortbread fan and these Cranberry and Almond Shortbread Bars are one of my top favorite choices for flavor. Soft and buttery shortbread with a fruity, tangy chew from chopped cranberries and orange zest then drizzled with a soft and creamy, almond glaze over the top. Finally, cut into pieces for perfect individual shortbread bars that are just wonderful. 

To make Cranberry and Almond Shortbread Bars, you will need the following ingredients:

Ingredients for Cranberry and Almond Shortbread Bars

Steps to make

  1. 1

    Preheat oven

    5 min
    Step 1 - Cranberry and Almond Shortbread Bars

    Preheat the oven to 350 °F and line an 8x8-inch baking sheet with baking parchment paper.

  2. 2

    Combine butter and sugar

    2 min
    Step 2 - Cranberry and Almond Shortbread Bars

    In a large bowl, beat ½ cup of butter with ¾ cup of sugar until light and fluffy.

  3. 3

    Add egg

    2 min
    Step 3 - Cranberry and Almond Shortbread Bars

    Add 1 large egg and beat to combine.

  4. 4

    Add flavoring

    1 min
    Step 4 - Cranberry and Almond Shortbread Bars

    Add 1 teaspoon of dried orange peel, ½ teaspoon of almond extract and ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract and ½ teaspoon of salt. Stir to mix through, scraping down the sides as needed.

  5. 5

    Add flour

    2 min
    Step 5 - Cranberry and Almond Shortbread Bars

    Add 1½ cups of all-purpose flour and mix on low speed until just combined.

  6. 6

    Add cranberries

    2 min
    Step 6 - Cranberry and Almond Shortbread Bars

    Fold in ¾ cups of dried cranberries, chopped into bits and mix until evenly combined into a sticky dough.

  7. 7

    Prepare for baking

    2 min
    Step 7 - Cranberry and Almond Shortbread Bars

    Transfer the dough to the prepared baking pan and with lightly floured hands, gently press into the sides.

  8. 8

    Bake

    30 min
    Step 8 - Cranberry and Almond Shortbread BarsStep 8 - Cranberry and Almond Shortbread Bars

    Bake in the preheated oven for 28-30 minutes until the top is puffy and the edges are a very light golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

  9. 9

    Prepare glaze

    2 min
    Step 9 - Cranberry and Almond Shortbread Bars

    In a small bowl, sift 1 cup of powdered sugar and add 2 teaspoons of milk or cream. Whisk until combined into a smooth glaze then stir in ¼ teaspoon of almond extract.

  10. 10

    Prepare bars

    2 min
    Step 10 - Cranberry and Almond Shortbread Bars

    Drizzle the prepared glaze over the shortbread then cut into squares or triangles, as you wish.

  11. 11

    Serve

    Step 11 - Cranberry and Almond Shortbread Bars

    Serve and enjoy! Store in an airtight container for no more than 5 days.

What do you think of our Cranberry and Almond Shortbread Bars recipe? Have you tried making shortbread before? Let us know if our recipe helped you to create the perfect bake. Share some of your creations with us and tag us online using our hashtag #cookmerecipes when you try our recipes!

About the author

Lilly Mathuse

Lilly is an enthusiastic and cheerful young mom. She knows as well as any parent that children can be really picky when it comes to food. And she’s had plenty of experience trying to cook meals that are both tasty and nutritious, and able to satisfy the tastes of a fussy kid right away! To save you some precious time, Lilly's going to share with you all the tricks she learned the hard way, so you don’t have to! She has a wealth of recipes for quick and easy meals for kids and families on a budget.

Recipe Reviews

Have you made this recipe? Share your experience and help other cooks!

★★★★★
★★★★★
4.9 out of 5 (15 reviews)
Paige
March 19, 2025
Verified

Superb! These Cranberry and Almond Shortbread Bars are a lovely treat. I made them for my hubby's birthday, and he loved them!

Xena Morgan
May 21, 2024
Verified

Delicious! I made these bars for a family gathering, and everyone loved them. The mix of sweet cranberries and creamy almond glaze was such a hit. Will definitely bake them again!

Steve
April 10, 2024
Verified

Simply divine. I made these bars for my tea time and everyone loved them. The blend of cranberries and almonds is just perfect. I might have eaten too many myself, but they are worth it.

Ximena
December 30, 2023
Verified

Delicious and easy!

Patricia
December 29, 2023
Verified

Delicious! I made these bars for my daughter’s birthday and they were a hit. The tangy cranberries paired with the almond glaze were just perfect. Everyone asked for the recipe, and I felt like a star for sharing it!

Hilda
December 11, 2023
Verified

Making these Cranberry and Almond Shortbread Bars feels like baking a hug. I remember whipping them up for a small holiday gathering. The blend of sweet and tart is delightful, and everyone loved them. They disappeared so quickly, it was like magic!

Dany
March 5, 2023
Verified

Merveilleux!

Mike
January 17, 2023
Verified

Delicious! Made these bars for a family picnic and they vanished within minutes. A fruity twist everyone loved.

Yusuf Thompson
June 27, 2022
Verified

Delicious!

Charles Kingston
February 14, 2022
Verified

Delish! Made these bars to impress my family during a game night, and they vanished in seconds. The combo of cranberry and almond is just perfection.

QuickChefQ
October 26, 2021
Verified

Superb berry goodness!

Vicky
August 4, 2021
Verified

OMG, I tried these bars at a family picnic, and everyone was raving! The cranberry and almond combo is dope. Super easy to whip up too. Totally making these again for my book club!

Wendy Thompson
June 21, 2021
Verified

Super tasty bars! My kids loved 'em, for real!

Harry
May 9, 2021
Verified

Simply the best!

Athina
November 12, 2020
Verified

This looks delicious!

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