Spicy Cranberry Bars

By LisaMK

This recipe is inspired by Thanksgiving recipes.

Ingredients

• Filling:
• 2 cups fresh cranberries
• 3 tbs cognac
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1 tsp ground allspice
• 2 -3 whole cloves
• 4 -6 whole black peppercorns
• 1/2 red pepper flakes
• 1/2 stick cinnamon
• Dough:
• 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened, plus more for pan
• 2 cups flour, plus more for pan
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 3/4 cup finely chopped toasted walnuts (3 oz)

Details

Servings 24
Preparation time 20mins
Cooking time 180mins

Preparation

Step 1

1. Filling:
In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, cognac, sugar and orange juice.
Place allspice, cloves, peppercorns, red pepper flakes, and cinnamon stick in a double layer of cheesecloth, bundle it up, tie with kitchen string, and add to saucepan.
Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, and cook, stirring often, until syrupy, 15 to 20 minutes.
Discard bundle, and let cool.

2. Dough:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9 x 13 inch baking pan; line with parchment, with 2 long sided overhang. Butter and flour parchment and sides.
Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
Add sugar and butter, stirring until combined. Mix in egg, vanilla,oats and walnuts, one at a time.
Press half the dough into pan. Spread filling over dough. Crumble remaining dough on top of filling. Bake about 40 minutes, until golden. Cool in pan on a wire rack, about 1 hour. Lift out of pan using parchment. Cut into 2 inch squares. Can be stored in airtight container for up to 5 days at room temp.