Tart and tangy paleo Cranberry Bars are a fan favorite! If you’re craving cranberries this gluten-free dessert recipe will hit the spot with its mouth puckering goodness. Fans love that this is an egg-free dessert. If you use agave instead of honey, it’s a great vegan dessert too!
Can you believe this entire bar is made with only 7 ingredients?! With a protein packed pecan crust and anti-oxidant rich cranberry topping, this easy dessert recipe is good for Christmas parties, Thanksgiving, kid lunches, or a healthy snack.
Cranberry Bars
Ingredients
- 1½ cups raw pecans
- 7 dates (remove pits)
- 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil or palm shortening
- ¼ teaspoon celtic sea salt
- 6 cups fresh cranberries, picked over (discard bad ones)
- 1 cup agave nectar or honey
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
Instructions
- Place pecans and dates in a food processor and pulse until ground
- Pulse in oil and salt until mixture begins to form a ball
- Press crust into a greased 8 x 8 inch baking dish
- Bake at 350°F for 8-12 minutes until lightly browned
- To make cranberry topping, place 4 cups cranberries, honey, and orange zest in a saucepan
- Bring mixture to a boil
- Cover and reduce to a simmer 10-15 minutes, until cranberries start to dissolve
- Add remaining 2 cups cranberries and cook covered for 5 minutes
- Remove mixture from heat and cool 10 minutes
- Pour mixture over crust
- Allow bars to set in refrigerator for 90 minutes
- Serve
I first made these Cranberry Bars as a tart. That was before Robyn and her kids came over for an afternoon of baking with us. She suggested making this paleo dessert as a bar, to make it a healthy snack when she is on-the-go.
I hope you love this versatile gluten-free dessert as much we do. This amazing paleo Cranberry Bars recipe has fall written all over it.
We are buried in snow today and school was canceled. It’s been snowing for 20 hours straight and we have accumulated feet, not inches. I’ve been cozying up with my gluten-free cookbook, The Gluten-Free Almond Flour Cookbook, baking cookies while the boys build snow caves and sled down our street. Feels like Christmas already!
Katie says
This looks amazing–I have a few pounds of fresh cranberries and will definitely be making this for the Halloween parties I’m attending this weekend.
Thank you so much for your wonderful recipes!
Elana says
Katie, you’re welcome! It’s my pleasure :-)
Andrea says
Not only have I discovered a lovely snack recipe but a wonderful crust-substitution for all my old cheesecake recipes. Nut crusts instead of cookie-based crusts… I love it!
Elana says
Andrea, thanks!
christie, honoring health says
That looks like a beautiful treat for thanksgiving! Yum!
Elana says
Christie, it’s one of our favorites!
VeggieGirl says
Oh my, those bars look HEAVENLY!! Cranberry sauce in a handheld form :)
Hang in there with all the snow!!
Elana says
Thanks!
Linda Simon says
Cranberries are perfect for winter too. And to make a smiling red mouth on a snowman.
Elana says
Thanks Linda!
Sarah says
I’m a gluten-free, fish and seafood free blogger that loves cooking and being a young professional.
Elana, your blog is inspiring and I always enjoy seeing what delicious foods you make!
Elana says
Thanks Sarah!
Kimi @ The Nourishing Gourmet says
I love how simple this recipe is! And it looks so delicious too. Perfect for the holidays.
Elana says
Thanks Kimi!
Marian says
These look wonderful. This will be my first holiday season baking and cooking low glycemic and gluten free – so I really appreciate how easy you’re making it for me! Thanks for all your ideas and yummy recipes.
Elana says
You’re welcome Marian!
gfveg says
im a BIG cranberry fan–thanks for this!
Elana says
You’re welcome!
Lauren says
Mmm, these look wonderful! I love bars for their versatility & these ones definitely fit the bill =D.
Elana says
Thanks Lauren!