Uncle Bill's Cranberry Squares

William (Uncle Bill) Anatooskin's Note:

Cranberries are in season and this recipe is a great tasty treat especially with fresh cranberries.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 35 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 20 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 24 sqares

BASE

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup cold butter, cut into squares

FILLING

• 2 cups cranberries, fresh or frozen
• 2 cups shredded sweetened coconut
• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

Directions:

1. BASE Preheat oven to 325 F.
2. Butter a 13" x 9" oven-proof baking dish.
3. In a food processor or blender, pulse flour, sugar, salt and butter and whirl until crumbly.
4. Spread into prepared baking dish and pat down lightly.
5. Bake uncovered in preheated 325 F oven for 20 minutes.
6. Scatter cranberries over warm baked base.
7. Sprinkle over with shredded coconut.
8. In a medium-size mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar and lemon juice until well blended.
9. Gradually whisk in flour and baking powder.
10. Pour lemon mixture over top (it will spread to fill dish during baking).
11. Bake uncovered in preheated 325 F oven for about 55 to 60 minutes or until middle is set and edges are golden.
12. Cool before cutting.
13. Cut into 3" x 1 1/2" squares.
14. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or you may freeze the squares.

Reviews

[*Pixie*]

Excellent! Yummy combo of sweet and tart. I only buy unsweetened coconut, so that is what I used and it seemed to work well. I didn't need the full baking times stated, but I think that is likely because of the type of pan I used. This is definitely a recipe I will be making again. Thanks for posting!

[StringBean]

I made this recipe as a last minute addition to my holiday cookies because I happened to have a bag of fresh cranberries that I didn't know what to do with. I didn't really have high hopes for these bars, but the result was awesome! Of all the cookies I made this year for the holidays, these bars were the ones that went first. I have to admit that they don't look that pretty coming out of the oven, but I trimmed off the browned uneven edges, and the bars looked much better. I will definitely be making this recipe again!

[annlouise]

Well, I didn't have a lemon, so used OJ & zest too. I also used the whole bag of crans and it came out too tart. Otherwise, just plain marvelous!