Cranberry Pecan Bars

What We're Cooking

cranberry pecan bars

Simple, Balanced & Unforgettable

These Cranberry Pecan Bars are versatile enough to serve as a breakfast pastry with coffee or dress up as a holiday dessert on your seasonal table. Not too sweet, perfectly balanced, and satisfying any time of day, they fit just as comfortably on a brunch spread as they do on a Christmas dessert platter.

If you’re looking for a dessert that feels special without being complicated, these Cranberry Pecan Bars are it. Made with fresh cranberries, chopped pecans, and just the right amount of almond extract, they strike that perfect balance between bright, nutty, and sweet — bold in flavor, but never overbearing.

These bars are the kind of dessert that quietly steals the show. Familiar ingredients, thoughtful flavor, and a texture that makes you want to go back for “just one more bite.”

Why These Bars Work So Well

  • Fresh cranberries for tart, vibrant flavor

  • Chopped pecans for warmth and crunch

  • Almond extract used sparingly for depth, not dominance

  • Simple preparation with big payoff

  • Perfect for holidays or everyday baking

They feel elegant without being fussy — the best kind of baking.

Flavor Balance Is Everything

Fresh cranberries bring a natural brightness that cuts through the richness of the bars, while pecans add a buttery crunch that grounds everything. The real secret, though, is the almond extract.

Used carefully, almond extract enhances the flavors instead of overpowering them. It adds a subtle, almost bakery-style note that makes these bars taste elevated — not artificial or heavy.

The Ingredients:

by WEIGHT

BARS:

  • 473 grams Sugar
  • 9 oz Butter, melted
  • 3 Eggs
  • 10 ml Almond Extract
  • 338 grams Flour
  • 300 grams Fresh Cranberries
  • 90 grams Pecans, chopped

streusel:

  • 48 grams Flour
  • 1.5 oz Butter, softened
  • 42 grams Fresh Cranberries
  • 28 grams Pecans, chopped

The Ingredients:

by measuring

BARS:

  • 2 1/4 cup Sugar
  • 18 TBS Butter, melted
  • 3 Eggs
  • 2 tsp Almond Extract
  • 2 1/4 cup Flour
  • 3 cups Fresh Cranberries
  • 3/4 cup Pecans, chopped

streusel:

  • 6 TBS Flour
  • 3 TBS Butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup Fresh Cranberries
  • 1/4 cup Pecans, chopped

Instructions

  • 1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line baking 9/13 pan with foil and spray with baking spray.
  • 2. Mix sugar, eggs, butter and almond extract until combined.
  • 3. Add flour and mix, then fold in the pecans and cranberries.
  • 4. Add mixture to pan and bake for 30 minutes. While the bars are baking make the streusel topping.
  • 5. To Make the streusel coat the pecans and cranberries in butter then toss in flour to coat.
  • 6. Add streusel to top of bars and bake for another 20-30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 206° F.
  • 7. Cool, cut into bars and enjoy!

final thoughts

  • Cranberry Pecan Bars prove that incredible flavor doesn’t require complicated steps or over-the-top ingredients. With fresh cranberries, nutty pecans, and just enough almond extract to elevate every bite, these bars are simple, elegant, and deeply satisfying. Serve them for breakfast, bring them out for dessert, or enjoy them somewhere in between — however you choose, they’re guaranteed to be memorable.

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